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Bridges Accross time and Tide
Bridges Accross time and Tide
~Journey Around Setonaikai: Nature, History, and Udon!~
~Journey Around Setonaikai: Nature, History, and Udon!~
Thirty-three of us traveled to explore the beautiful Seto Inland Sea region together, crossing all the spectacular bridges connecting Honshu and Shikoku. Every place we visited offered its own unique charm, history, and local flavor. It was an incredible 10-day journey filled with unforgettable discoveries and new experiences!
A big thank you to Kazuko-san at JTB USA Inc. and Yamaguchi-san at JTB Fukuoka for helping coordinate this amazing trip!!!
Hiroshima Prefecture
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Ehime Prefecture
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Kagawa Prefecture
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Okayama Prefecture
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Kagawa Prefecture
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Tokushima Prefecture
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Hyogo Prefecture
Tatara Bridge: One of seven bridges along the 40-mile Shimanami Kaido, connecting Hiroshima and Ehime Prefectures. Twenty-four of us biked across this 1-mile bridge, while the remaining nine crossed in our charter bus.
Seto Ohashi Bridge: A famous 8.1-mile series of double-decker bridges featuring trains on the bottom and cars on top, connecting Okayama and Kagawa Prefectures. We crossed it twice; once in the morning to visit Kurashiki, and again in the afternoon returning to Sakaide.
Onaruto Bridge: Spanning 1 mile to connect Tokushima Prefecture to Awaji Island, this bridge is famous for the swirling Naruto Whirlpools below. We walked along the bridge's walkway and looked directly down at the churning ocean through glass floor panels!
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge: Stretching 2.4 miles to connect Awaji Island to Kobe on Honshu, this iconic landmark is famous as one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. This was our very last bridge to cross, making a wonderful end to our trip across the Seto Inland Sea.
Day 1 🛫
Day 1 🛫
Some families flew together while others arrived a few days in advance. Sensei flew in with several families and we even enjoyed a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji during our layover at Haneda Airport! When we arrived at the Hiroshima Airport Hotel, we were happy to find a nice welcome sign waiting for us, and to see that everyone had already safely arrived and checked in. The hotel was located right next to the Hiroshima Airport, and we all had a beautiful garden view. We rested up to get ready for the action-packed days ahead!
Day 2 ⛩️
What a spectacular first full day! After a scrumptious breakfast buffet, the kind Japanese hotels are so famously known for, we took the ferry over to Miyajima Island, where we visited the breathtaking Itsukushima Shrine, the floating Torii, and met the calm local deer hanging around. Our first hands-on experience was baking Momiji-manju! We learned how to make Hiroshima's famous maple-leaf-shaped cakes, enjoyed them fresh, and then had lunch on our own on Miyajima island.
Day 2 (cont')
In the afternoon, our visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum was deeply moving and meaningful. As a group, we presented a very special gift, 33 origami cranes folded by the 33 of us, at Children’s Peace Monument. It was an incredibly touching moment as we all wished for world peace. Afterward, we headed to Aeon Mall Hiroshima Fuchu for an authentic Hiroshima Okonomiyaki dinner. After dinner, some of us enjoyed shopping while others went to play at the mall's exciting VS Park.
Day 3 🚲🥾
We began our journey across the stunning Shimanami Kaidō bridges. The typhoon had passed, leaving us with a beautiful day! To explore the Seto Inland Sea area, our group split up for two different adventures: One group went on a hiking tour, taking in the scenery on foot while exploring Kōzōji Temple and the Hill of Hope. The second group set out on a scenic 3.3-mile cycling tour led by two friendly bike guides. The absolute highlight was crossing the spectacular Tatara Bridge. The views were breathtaking, and the children were full of energy and wanted to bike longer!
Day 3 (cont')
After working up an appetite, both groups reunited for a delicious lunch at Marine Oasis Hakata. Next, we took in the panoramic views from Kirosan Observatory Park, which gave us the exact, stunning scenery of the Seto Inland Sea we had been waiting for. After visiting the unique Imabari Towel Museum and doing a little shopping, we checked into our hotel, Kowakuen Haruka. We put on our colorful yukata, enjoyed a special multi-course dinner with an extensive buffet, and many of us finished the night with a relaxing hot spring (onsen). What a great day!
Day 4 🍊
Ehime Prefecture is world-famous for its citrus, so we started our morning at Mican Park, a Mandarin Orange specialty store, for some fresh juice, soft-serve, and local orange products. After some shopping and lunch on our own at Emiful Masaki Mall, we took the ropeway up to historic Matsuyama Castle.
In the afternoon, we tried our hand at making traditional Japanese sweets. It takes a lot of skill to roll them so beautifully but everyone did great.
Day 4 (Cont')
We ended the day with dinner on our own around the historic streets of the Dōgo Onsen district, an area famous for its ancient hot springs (onsen) and footbaths (ashiyu). Kowakuen Haruka stood out as our group's favorite traditional experience. The rooms were beautiful and spacious with a traditional tatami mat area, and offered a wonderful selection of colorful yukata. We loved the authentic ryokan atmosphere where we could wear our yukata straight from the onsen into dinner and breakfast! As with everywhere else on our trip, we thoroughly enjoyed the incredible and extensive buffet here, which served a fantastic variety of dishes featuring famous local products.
Day 5 🍜
Today was all about hands-on (and foot-on!) activities! We relocated to Kagawa Prefecture and arrived at the approach to Kotohira Shrine (famously known as Konpira-san). Then came a major trip highlight: Udon noodle making school!
Led by a very energetic instructor, we learned how to knead, roll, and stretch the dough, and even stepped on the dough to music and tambourines to knead it properly before cutting it evenly. We then got to eat our own handmade silky udon for lunch alongside tempura and side dishes. Each of us also received a certificate of completion, a wooden rolling pin, and the recipe to recreate the udon back home.
Day 5 (Cont’)
After lunch, we all enjoyed strolling the lively shop-lined approach, and some people even dared to hike up the 1,000+ steps all the way to the shrine. Maybe udon gave them the power! Talk about being full of energy!
We then headed to the Marugame Uchiwa Museum and got to craft our own traditional Uchiwa (Japanese bamboo fan). It was another neat cultural activity! We checked into our hotel in Sakaide, had dinner on our own, and many of us enjoyed the hotel onsen and the nearby spa. Such a relaxing way to end an activity-filled day!
Day 6 🌉
We kicked off the day with stunning 360-degree views from the Seto Ohashi Tower, looking out over the massive bridge network. We then journeyed across the Seto Ōhashi Bridge to Okayama Prefecture. It was incredible driving across the world's longest double-decker bridge system, which stretches an impressive 8 miles over the Seto Inland Sea! Our bus took us straight to the picture-perfect Kurashiki Bikan Area to explore the historic district and visit the Japanese Folk Toy Museum.
With its scenic willow-lined canals, trendy denim stores, and unique boutiques, everyone had a blast exploring, shopping, and trying local street food like the famous denim soft-serve, which got its blue color from blueberries.
In the late afternoon, we made our second trip across that spectacular 8-mile bridge to return to the Sakaide Grand Hotel. Once back, we gathered together for a delicious seafood group dinner at Isonotakumi, the wonderful restaurant connected right to our hotel.
Day 7 🌀
A day packed with vibrant colors! Our morning started at the stunning, world-renowned Ritsurin Park, where we enjoyed a traditional matcha tea experience. We were completely taken aback by the beauty of the park and the tea house, and loved learning how everything there was designed with a purpose. For example, our guide showed us a large stone water basin outside the tea house used for purification. We learned that on a full-moon night, the moon reflects perfectly on the water inside, so when you scoop the water, the moon sits right in your hands. We could picture the beauty and serenity just by listening to the story!
Day 7 (Cont')
Next, we headed to Tokushima Prefecture and had a delicious Tonkatsu lunch at Yama-Katsu, complete with an all-you-can-eat side dish buffet. Many of us went back for seconds and thirds because the food was so good!
Since Tokushima is famous for indigo dyeing, we visited "Ai no Yakata" to create our own unique blue-dyed souvenirs. We finished the afternoon looking straight down at the roaring Naruto Whirlpools from the Uzu no Michi bridge viewing deck. After checking into our hotel in Tokushima, we had dinner on our own, and some of us went out to see the exciting Awa Odori dance show!
Day 8 🫐
We said goodbye to Shikoku, crossed the Onaruto bridge, and made our way onto Awaji Island. This island is full of its own rich culture, and we witnessed the residents' local pride everywhere we went.
Our first stop was the Awaji Doll Hall for a traditional puppet theater performance. We first learned how the traditional puppets move and the techniques used to bring the stories to life, followed by a backstage tour to see how the stage works. You could really tell how proud the handlers are of their history and culture by how enthusiastic they were!
Photographed above (bottom picture, far left) is our wonderful tour guide, Ms. Iida. We absolutely loved her and our fantastic bus driver!
Day 8 (Cont')
For lunch, we enjoyed an amazingly fresh meal at a gorgeous farm-to-table restaurant, Haru San San. Each dish was picturesque, plated with artful inspiration straight from their own garden. We were pleasantly surprised by live music from talented young servers playing the tuba and marimba! They explained that they belong to a local group of 60 musicians who perform throughout the island in an effort to revitalize the local community and promote music across Awaji Island.
Afterwards, we went fresh blueberry picking right from the farm. We had no idea there were so many different species of blueberries. Some of us ate hundreds! After enjoying some blueberry sweets, we strolled through the breathtaking hills of the Awaji Hanasajiki Flower Garden. Then, we crossed the magnificent Akashi Kaikyo Bridge into the bustling city of Kobe and checked into the Hotel Okura Kobe. There, we were treated to stunning views of Kobe Port and the surrounding harbor lights.
Day 9 🦙🐧
Our last full day together! We started with another delicious breakfast buffet, then had free time to wander through the historic Kitano Ijinkangai area. Everyone picked their own adventures, visiting spots like historic mansions, the Kobe Beef Museum, and the optical illusion exhibits at the Kobe Trick Art Museum. We then met up at the famous local Starbucks, a unique café housed inside a restored 1907 historic wooden mansion registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
Then, we spent the afternoon at Kobe Animal Kingdom, which was an absolute favorite for the families! We had lunch on our own and got up close and personal with the animals.
Day 9 (cont')
We celebrated our final night together with an incredible Shabu Shabu and sushi dinner feast at Sai no An. Afterward, we enjoyed a nice, leisurely walk along the beautiful Kobe waterfront back to the Hotel Okura Kobe. Sitting right on the edge of Meriken Park with stunning harbor views, it was the perfect place to wrap up our journey. The impeccable service from the highly attentive bell staff and hotel team truly made it one of the most luxurious and welcoming stays of the entire trip!
Day 10 🚆
We parted our own ways after one last delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel, which had been a wonderful daily staple throughout the trip. Some of us extended the trip to explore more of Japan while others returned home.
As we look back at the memories captured in these photos, our trip theme truly says it all: "Bridges Across Time and Tide ~ Journey Around Setonaikai: Nature, History, and Udon." We didn't just cross physical bridges over the sea; we built lasting bridges of friendship, connected with timeless traditions, and shared unforgettable moments together. We are so incredibly grateful for the amazing families who joined us for this truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Everyone was always punctual, supportive, flexible, looked out for each other, and tried so many new things outside their comfort zones. It was another GREAT trip!!! Thank you to everyone for making this journey so incredibly special! 🗺️✨
Our Japan Trip 2026 Ohana! What an amazing ride! 🚌✨
Our Japan Trip 2026 Ohana! What an amazing ride! 🚌✨
Agena Sensei asked the participants: Please write any comments about your Setonaikai trip that you don't mind me sharing with others:
☆ "What a memorable tour! 10 days filled with engaging activities, beautiful culture, and sensational food! Thank you for including hotels that had an onsen! Restoring our bodies at the end of an eventful day was something we looked forward to. We were totally blown away, as the Setonaikai region of Japan really captivated our hearts with its deeply rooted, rich culture and the inspiring, hardworking spirit of the people we encountered. And the food—was hands down incredible! Every moment was a beautiful and fun reminder of how special Japan is."
☆ "I joined this 10-day group tour with my two daughters. At first, I felt a bit anxious traveling without my husband, but the other participants were so warm and welcoming that the girls and I ended up having a wonderful time. Although we are Japanese, we visited places we had never been to before. Doing this itinerary on our own would have been too difficult, especially budget-wise, so I am incredibly grateful that my children could have these experiences. I was deeply moved by Agena-sensei's amazing organization, negotiation skills, and arrangements. Thank you so much for everything."
☆ "Every day, every town, every experience was unique, interesting, and memorable! Thank you for putting so much time and effort to create such an awesome Japan trip!"
☆ "Agena Sensei, we are so happy that we were finally able to make it on one of your Japan trips - and this one was absolutely amazing. All of the experiences, food, and sightseeing were so unique and different - we would not have known about these places on our own, let alone the whole Seto Inland area! This was our family's first trip to Japan and you made it such a nice introduction for us - we will definitely be back! Thank you!"
☆ "I think what surprised me the most was the high quality of some of the hotels that were chosen, especially the Kowakuen Haruka. Our favorite experiences were seeing the deer on Miyajima, the Kobe Animal Kingdom, biking, making manju and udon, the farm-to-table lunch and blueberry picking. A bonus was getting to know other Aina Haina families and staff who we didn't know before this trip. Everyone was flexible and looked out for each other. We would love to participate in the next group trip to Japan!"
☆ "The most enjoyable part was exploring a part of Japan, which most people do not explore or get to see, it's the most surprising part was getting exposed to Japanese customs, food, and culture. Everyone in Japan we met was so nice. Everyone in our group was also super nice and I like the size of our group. It was a terrific trip and one we will never forget."
☆ "We appreciated learning about each prefecture and their unique characteristics; it emphasized a connection for every activity and meal which provided great structure to the trip. The pace of the trip was also great as there was time after each activity to rest on the bus and reset before the next activity. If we had to do it over, we would probably travel a day or two earlier to better acclimate to the time difference from the east coast. This cost us some enjoyment the first day or so. We enjoyed the overall energy of the tour families as it was the right mix of participants; I was surprised how well everyone mingled. There was something we could say was enjoyable everyday, and I think it was one of the best family vacations we have ever done. Thank you."
☆ "I loved the trip. It wasn't too busy where I was so tired but somehow we did a lot!"
☆ "I really enjoyed being with the group and seeing everyone else also enjoying themselves. I also found the beauty of all the areas we went to almost unreal. The culture was also very fascinating with many different interesting rules like no drinking / eating and walking in some areas."
☆ "Thank you Agena Sensei for another wonderful experience! All the activities were fun and the accommodations were great! Got to experience many different things for the first time outside my comfort zone and also got to try new foods. I really enjoyed exploring around the Hiroshima Hotel, Dogo Onsen area and Kobe Kitano Ijikan-gai area! I would definately go back and visit again and spend more times exploring these areas! Thank you again! <3 <3"
☆ "The activities scheduled were fun and engaging. We had a great balance of engaging n fun hands on activities and time to explore on our own. When are we able to make udon, manju, tie dye indigo, and pick blueberries."
☆ "What I enjoyed the most on the Japan trip was the Kobe zoo. The one that surprised me the most was Udon making . The most memorable one was Shabu shabu ."
☆ "I enjoyed Kobe the most because it was the only city area. And the most memorable part was the kurashiki bikan area because I enjoyed all the food and stores there."
☆ "I enjoyed the whole trip and all the experiences you put together for us - it was nice to try doing different activities and try a variety of foods on my first trip to Japan. Thank you so much, Agena Sensei!"
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