Last Updated: Jul 17, 2023

Wonderful Setouchi

Exploring the Amazing Seto Inland Sea

For someone like myself claiming a serious addiction to Japan, there are countless areas in this amazing country that I treasure. For example, the northern Tohoku region will always hold a special place in my heart. Home to sacred sites like the Dewa Sanzan and Mt. Osore, this area of Japan is definitely worth exploring if you enjoy stepping off of the beaten path. Still, as amazing as northern Honshu (Japan’s main island) is, most of its main allures are spread out across huge swaths of the region. As a result, it’s not always the best option for those looking to stuff all that they can during their stay in Japan.

On that note, I’d like to introduce the topic of today’s article, the Seto Inland Sea (or “Seto Naikai” in Japanese). Found mainly sitting between the islands of Honshu and Shikoku, this body of water has served as a major economic center throughout much of Japan’s history. Home to many an attraction, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Okayama, Hyogo, Osaka, Wakayama, Kagawa, Ehime, Tokushima, Fukuoka, and Oita prefectures all share coastlines that brush the Seto Inland Sea.

Now, this might sound a bit confusing for non-Japanese speakers but the entire region surrounding the Seto Inland Sea is typically referred to as Setouchi…