Ultimate Fun in Western Japan (Part 1): A Playful Journey Across the Seto Ohashi Bridge

Shikoku in Japan, a place many are not very familiar with; San’in and San’yō, another Japanese region that’s not often heard of—what kind of fresh and unique experiences can these two areas offer compared to other top-tier Japanese tourist destinations? What kind of charm could have captivated the great literary figure Natsume Sōseki so deeply? Here begins an exciting journey through Western Japan, starting from Kansai Airport, crossing the Seto Ohashi Bridge to Ehime, then traveling along the Okayama Expressway to Izumo in Shimane.

Besides seeing the mountain and seafood ingredients produced in Shikoku on TV shows like “Iron Chef,” most tourists rarely have much impression of this place. But it’s not because there’s a lack of information—rather, there are still too many undeveloped areas in Shikoku, and currently, there are no direct flights to the region, so tour packages are only available during specific seasons. The simple and unspoiled Shikoku region boasts abundant marine resources, with a rich catch of fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish throughout the year. Although Shikoku isn’t very large, it is home to numerous hot springs, especially Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture, which is the most well-known.

When entering Shikoku from Kansai, the Seto Ohashi Bridge is the best option—it not only shortens travel time but also allows you to witness the world’s longest combined road and rail bridge. Linking Honshu and Shikoku, the Seto Ohashi Bridge was fully completed and opened to traffic in 1988. Its design, featuring spacing between suspension bridge sections and separate upper and lower levels, is considered one of Japan’s engineering masterpieces. The bridge is divided into six sections, connecting five small islands. During the day, taking a sightseeing boat under the bridge lets you clearly see structures such as suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, and truss bridges. At night, viewed from Mount Washuzan, you can enjoy the fascinating sight of illuminated trains and passenger vehicles crossing paths.