West Japan Circle Route in 16 Days - Itinerary

This is our 16-day itinerary across the ancient land of West Japan, home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as some of Japan's freshest seafood. Starting and ending at Hiroshima, this circle route is catered towards experienced travelers keen on traditional Japanese culture. As usual, authentic regional food was front and centre wherever we traveled.

Day 1: Arrive at Hiroshima Airport

Day 2: Takehara - Kurashiki
... Renting a Traditional Machiya House for 3 Nights
... Two of West Japan's Most Picturesque Feudal Towns
... Izakaya Seafood Bar Recommended by the Locals ... Sakana An

Day 3: Kurashiki - Okayama
... Whitewashed Town with Willow-lined Canals
... 300-Year-Old Traditional Garden
... 80-Year-Old Tonkatsu Restaurant ... Ajitsukasa Nomura
... Dinner at Kurashiki's Best-loved Yakitori Joint ... Takadaya

Day 4: Onomichi
... Charming Town with Cinema-worthy Neighborhoods
... Poisonous Okoze Fish at 100-Year-Old Beef Tongue Specialist ... Aoyagi
... Seafood Izakaya with No Menu or Prices ... Shubou Yae

Day 5: Bitchu-Takahashi - Matsue
... Blazing Autumn Foliage at a Mountain-top Castle
... Renting a Japanese Apartment for 3 Nights
... Seafood Feast at a Reservation-Only Izakaya ... Kawakyo

Day 6: Matsue
... 17th Century Castle and One of Japan's Most Famous Sunsets
... One of West Japan's Top Ramen Joints ... Menya Hibari
... Wagyu Beef Dinner Direct from the Butcher ... Yakiniku Kitagaki

Day 7: Kurayoshi - Adachi Museum
... World's No.1 Japanese Garden
... Kurayoshi's Famous Beef Bone Ramen ... Gottsuo Ramen
... Matsuba-gani Crabs in Season!

Day 8: Izumo Taisha - Yunotsu
... Grand Daddy of Japan's Ancient Shrines
... Soba Noodles with a Local Twist ... Yakumo Honten
... Sashimi that still MOVES!!! ... Kameya

Day 9: Iwami Ginzan
... UNESCO World Heritage Site #1
... Renting a Machiya house in a Hotspring Town
... Saturday Night Fever - Kagura Dance at the Shrine

Day 10: Tsuwano
... Renting Yet Another Japanese Apartment
... White-washed Town with Canals Full of Koi Fish
... Traditional 300-year-old Delicacies and Snacks

Day 11: Hagi
... UNESCO World Heritage Site #2
... Exquisite Seafood at Impossibly Cheap Prices ... Amiigo
... Poisonous Fugu Fish in 8-Course Dinner ... Ryokan Senshunraku

Day 12: Hagi
... West Japan's Best-Preserved 18th-Century Town
... Possibly Best Lunch of our Trip ... Kaiseki Ryori Ajiro
... Wagyu Beef Dinner Direct from the Cattle Farmer ... Amiyaki Restaurant Kenran

Day 13: Yanai - Iwakuni
... Annual Fiesta at a Historic Small Town
... Autumn Light-up at Japan's Most Famous Bridge
... Checking into a 300-Year-Old Ryokan ... Miharaya

Day 14: Iwakuni - Miyajima
... UNESCO World Heritage Site #3
... Lantern-Lined Streets in a Feudal-Era Town
... Lunch at Japan's Top Anago Specialist ... Anagomeshi Ueno
... Miyajima's 60-Year-Old Oyster Specialist ... Yakigaki-no-Hayashi

Day 15: Hiroshima
... UNESCO World Heritage Site #4
... Autumn Light-up at Shukkeien Garden
... Michelin 2-star Tempura Specialist ... Tenkou Honten
... Birthplace of Okonomiyaki Pancakes ... Micchan Souhonten

Day16: Leave Hiroshima
... Lunch at Arguably Hiroshima's Top Restaurant ... Takotsubo