In a world where travellers are increasingly driven by the pursuit of meaning and balance, Japan's Setouchi region offers the chance to discover ikigai – the Japanese concept signifying one's reason for being. For centuries, the people of Japan have believed that discovering one's ikigai brings lasting happiness, resilience and fulfilment, and Setouchi offers a kaleidoscope of experiences that inspire reflection, creativity and this sense of belonging. Here the journey to ikigai is more than a philosophy, it's a lived experience.

Quietude at Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

At the heart of this journey is Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, a revered Tendai Buddhist temple accessed via ropeway that's perched on the top of Mt. Shosha in the northwestern part of Himeji (Hyogo Prefecture). The temple complex is known for its beauty (as featured in the film The Last Samurai), historic halls and ancient cedar forests, and attracts pilgrims from across the globe as the 27th stop along the 1000km Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage route. Pilgrims and visitors alike walk the temple's peaceful paths, reflecting on life's deeper meaning much as monks have done for over a millennium. Among its most striking structures is the Mani-den (Main Hall) which appears to float above the hillside. Nestled among towering cedar trees, its presence quietly calms and centres the hearts of those who visit, a quintessential ikigai moment. Today, Engyo-ji serves as a training centre for monks, welcoming visitors to participate in zazen (seated meditation), sutra copying, multi-day temple stays and workshops guided by resident monks. Open daily. 8.30am – 6.00pm (subject to seasonal changes and Shoshazan Ropeway entry).

Purify mind and body at The Bathhouse at Shinshoji Temple

For a contemporary expression of mindfulness, The Bathhouse at Shinshoji Temple in Fukuyama (Hiroshima) is a private bathing facility designed to merge traditional Japanese bathing culture with Zen-inspired aesthetics. It's located within the experiential Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens, established in 1965 to encourage quiet contemplation through meditative art installations, activities, tea ceremonies and an opportunity to sample speciality dish Shinshodi Udon. The bathhouse was originally built for monks training at the international Zen dojo and visitors can choose to bathe in either Chikuzan (stone bath) or Kaizan (cypress bath) to purify mind and body in a reflection of this spiritual training. Here, the bathing ritual encourages visitors to slow down, immerse themselves in mindful relaxation and achieve the clarity and balance of ikigai. Bathing hours are between 10am and 4pm, reservation required. No fixed closing days.

Sunset reflection at Higashi Ushirobata Rice Terraces

Spiritual seekers can journey to the Higashi Ushirobata Rice Terraces, perched on a hillside overlooking the Seto Inland Sea in the Yuda district of Nagato City. Covering 600 hectares this rare sea-facing rice terrace is recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields and offers a breathtaking spectacle that can only be witnessed between May and August when the flooded paddies are newly planted. At dusk, the glassy waters reflect the soft pink and crimson tones of sunset while distant fishing lights shimmer on the horizon like fireflies. This fleeting beauty and the natural rhythms the fields support embody the essence of ikigai in a place sustained by purpose and pride. Visitors witnessing this luminous tableau can enjoy a quiet invitation to stillness, connection and the timeless bond between people and nature.

The beauty of the journey on Iyonada Monogatari

As an invitation to savour the beauty of the journey itself the Iyonada Monogatari sightseeing train glides along the coastline of Ehime in Shikoku treating passengers to sweeping sea views, charming rural landscapes and carefully crafted regional cuisine. The three-car train is painted in colours that echo the region's famous citrus fruits and the fiery sunsets of the Iyo-nada Sea. Travelling between Matsuyama Station and Iyo-Ōzu or Yawatahama, each car has its own unique character while the signature Haruka: Fiore Suite offers a private experience for groups of up to 8 people. The train operates four services each day and the journey takes two hours one way.

Together, these experiences embody the spirit of the Setouchi region - sacred traditions, natural beauty and quiet spaces for reflection. Whether through meditation, art, nature walks, or cultural encounters, visitors can find the path to their own ikigai in this diverse region.

The Setouchi Region is located in western Japan and surrounds Japan's largest inland sea. To access the region from the UK there are direct flights to Tokyo from London Heathrow with British Airways, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines. From Tokyo it is a 3 - 5 hour journey via Shinkansen and other means of transport to stations in the region including Shin-Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima, Shin-Yamaguchi and Shikoku (Kagawa, Ehime and Tokushima).

For more information about these and other Setouchi Journeys visit www.setouchi.travel/en