Explore Kitakyushu, the Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku in one go

By Qidou Travel Network  Photos by Qidou Travel Network

During the harsh winter, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of steaming hot soup and a soak in a warm hot spring. Japan’s Yufuin is known as the "Land of Morning Mist and Natural Springs," with many local inns offering hot spring baths. There’s now a special travel package that combines Kitakyushu, the Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku—perfect for warming up in Yufuin’s hot springs, escaping the cold in the limestone caves of the Seto Inland Sea, and climbing Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, all in one trip.

The Beauty of Hot Springs in Kitakyushu

Located in Kitakyushu, Yufuin is a quaint hot spring town near an active volcano, which provides an abundant supply of hot spring water. The road from the train station to Kinrin Lake is called “Yunotsuba Street,” lined with shops selling local snacks and souvenirs, notably the Swiss roll from b-speak, which is especially popular. The area also features European-style ryokan, art galleries, small exhibition rooms, and upscale restaurants, making it hard to resist stopping and taking in the scenery.

Along Yunotsuba Street, you’ll arrive at Kinrin Lake, named for the fish-scale-like shimmer it reflects under the setting sun. The lake water is crystal clear, and its unique feature is the presence of both hot and cold springs at the bottom. On cold winter mornings, you might see mist rising from the lake surface, enveloping it in a thick white haze, creating a fairytale-like landscape.

Also in Kitakyushu, Moji Port flourished in the 20th century due to frequent foreign trade, leading to the construction of many Western-style buildings. The area around JR Moji Port Station is the nostalgic Moji Port Retro District. From the 31-story Moji Port Retro Observatory, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Kanmon Strait between Honshu and Kyushu, as well as seeing the island where Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojirō famously dueled—Ganryūjima.

Visit a Constant-Temperature Limestone Cave, the Seto Inland Sea Coastline, and Historic Shikoku

If you’re seeking warmth in winter, besides hiding in hot springs or heated indoor spaces, you can also head to Akiyoshidō, which maintains a constant temperature of 17°C year-round, to enjoy a comfortable climate while admiring limestone cave formations. Akiyoshidō is the largest limestone cave in the Orient, formed over 300,000 years as groundwater slowly dissolved the limestone. At the cave’s entrance, you’ll find the Seihōtei (Blue Sky Ceiling), where water reflects light in a stunning azure hue, along with formations like Hyakumanben (Hundred Plates) resembling stacked dishes and the towering Golden Pillar.

The Shimanami Kaido, which connects the main island to Shikoku, is made up of several bridges and encircles the Seto Inland Sea, featuring a 70-kilometer cycling path that was once twinned with Taiwan’s Sun Moon Lake cycling route. It also includes Japan’s longest cable-stayed bridge, the Tatara Bridge, linking Ehime and Hiroshima Prefectures.

When you reach Ehime Prefecture, don’t miss Matsuyama Castle. Perched atop a 132-meter hill in the city center, the castle stands majestically over Matsuyama. To reach it, you can walk or take a cable car, enjoying views of the Seto Inland Sea and Mount Ishizuchi along the way. The cable car ends near the tenshu (main keep) and the castle approach, where you can choose your favorite vantage point to admire the sweeping views of Matsuyama Castle and the Seto Inland Sea.

A short drive south from Matsuyama Castle leads to the quaint old town of Uchiko. The streets are lined with white or yellow plaster-walled buildings and traditional storehouses with “sunoko-kabe” (protruding lattice walls). During the Edo period, this area thrived on candle production, attracting many visitors. Here, you can visit the Koryu Memorial Museum “Kamigoke-tei,” which displays items from daily life in the past, and the kabuki theater “Uchiko-za,” immersing yourself in authentic Japanese culture.

More Related Information:
▲ Award-Winning Itinerary Discovered in Japan~
Victory Starts Here~ Deep Dive into Kitakyushu, Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku: 5-Day Tour Covering Five Prefectures (Fukuoka Entry/Exit)
https://goo.gl/Q45nwG
Tour Features: Stay three nights in hot spring hotels (including the Japan 100 Best Hot Spring Hotel “Nishi no Miyabi Tokiwa Onsen Hotel”), one night in a five-star Hiroshima hotel, enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine and kaiseki meals

For details, contact: lN Jia Travel Agency (02)2531-5334
Websitehttp://www.fctour.com.tw/