13 DAYS SANYO-SAN’IN PRIVATE TOUR

Himeji Castle is also known as the White Heron Castle and is both a Japanese National Treasure and a World Heritage site. Its status as one of Japan's 12 remaining original castles makes this fortress a must for anyone interested in the history of Japan.

Kokoen Garden is an authentic Japanese garden with a view of Himeji Castle, a world heritage site, and is a popular place for sightseeing in Himeji.

Korakuen Garden is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

Ryusenji Temple, dedicated to the water god, is located on the lakeside and has an attractive red torii gate. Here you can enjoy the beautiful and spectacular scenery of the green nature reflected on the lake.  

 Fukiya Furusato Village Fukiya is a town built by wealthy merchants who amassed enormous wealth from the production of red iron and its raw material, loha. The red-colored townscape is impressive with its copper-colored Sekishu tiles and red-colored exterior. The elaborately designed mansions of wealthy merchants are worth a visit. It has also been designated as a ``Furusato Village'' in Okayama Prefecture.

The grounds of the Fukiya elementary school were acquired from Mitsubishi Shokai in 1898. The east and west buildings were completed in 1900, followed by the main school building in 1909. The buildings are based on traditional Japanese designs but also incorporate several Western architectural features, such as the arrangement of trusses above the ceiling to support the roof.

Located near the peak of Mt. Gagyu at an elevation of 430 m, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is the only mountain castle in Japan with a still-existing original castle tower.

Kibitsuhiko Shrine - A highly prestigious shrine that was created as a branch of Kibitsujinja shrine. Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto, the model for Momotaro, is enshrined here. The combination of traditional shrine architecture and deep green trees creates a majestic and splendid atmosphere. The main shrine is designated as an important cultural property by the prefecture. 

 Tomonoura, located almost in the center of the Seto Inland Sea, has been a port city that has prospered since ancient times because ships waited for the tide. The beautiful scenery of the calm sea and islands, as well as the ancient streets that have been preserved since the Edo period, hide nostalgic new discoveries and emotions.

The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is an area with a history of nearly 400 years, featuring traditional architectural buildings that form the streets and the scenic views along the Kurashiki River, blending a vintage and modern aesthetic. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful sceneries of white-walled storehouses, tiled-roof walls, and streets lined with willow trees.

Onomichi City has many historical and cultural resources and was designated a Japanese Heritage in 2015. It is a small town that is highly popular due to its beautiful natural scenery, ancient streets, and Shimanami Kaido, a well-known mecca for cyclists. 

Takehara Townscape Conservation Area - Takehara, often referred to as the "Little Kyoto of Aki," has a rich history as a prosperous estate of the Kamogawa Shrine in Kyoto during the Heian period. A symbol of this historic town is the Nationally Designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, which exudes a calm and serene atmosphere through its well-preserved townscape.

The Itsukushima Shrine, located on the island of Miyajima near Hiroshima, is said to have been founded in 593 AD. Over the centuries, the shrine has sustained damage from natural disasters and has been rebuilt numerous times. In 1996, the shrine was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine is unique in Japan, with its wooden structures standing in the sea inlet. 

Kintaikyo Bridge - A beautiful five-arch wooden bridge with a total length of approximately 200m, counted as one of the three most famous bridges in Japan. 

 Irori Sanzoku Kuda Branch - A popular attraction in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Irori Sanzoku is a restaurant famous for its large rice balls, hearty Sanzoku-yaki, Sanzoku-udon, and Sumeragi beef. This is a restaurant where you can experience traditional Japanese culture and the Japanese spirit. 

 The Rurikoji Temple Five-Storied Pagoda, completed in 1442, has been evaluated as the most outstanding architectural structure preserved from the mid-Muromachi period between 1336 and 1573, and has been designated as a National Treasure. Mine City in Yamaguchi Prefecture is home to Beppu Benten Pond, known for its incredibly clear water. The four-meter-deep pond's cobalt blue color is natural and astonishingly rich. On sunny days, you can see clearly to the pond's bottom, as though it were made of perfectly clear glass.

Akiyoshido Cave, a special national treasure, is one of the largest limestone caves in the country. It is filled with geographically precious objects such as gigantic stalagmites, rimstones like terraced rice fields, and many others. 

Established in 1955, reportedly by divine decree of a white fox spirit, Motonosumi-jinja Shrine and its many red torii gates have become one of the most well-known locations in Yamaguchi .

Sandankyo Gorge - A large canyon located in the Nishichugoku Sanchi Quasi-National Park that stretches for about 16 kilometers and where you can enjoy one of the most condensed beauty of canyons in Western Japan. There are many sights to see inside the canyon, such as Kurobuchi, Sarutobi, Nidan-taki, and Sandan-taki. Sakurai House and Kabeya Museum display the history of the Sakurai family's tatara ironworks, as well as over 4,500 pieces of art and ancient documents. "Kabeya" is the family name of the Sakurai family. The current main house was built in 1738 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

 Kozan Lavender Hill - A tourist farm where you can experience picking herbs and blueberries. You can enjoy seasonal flowers such as Iceland poppies in the spring, lavender in the summer, and cosmos in the fall.

Taishakukyo Gorge - There is a huge natural bridge called Onbashi Bridge here. This was made by the erosive action of mountain streams and limestone caves due to the spread of the karst plateau that formed through deep erosion by a limestone plateau. In addition, you will also find the Lake Shinryu-ko here. This is a landscape harmonized with nature to the extent you won’t see it as an artificial lake. 

Former Senkyo Jinjo Elementary School - A symmetrical wooden school building constructed in the 40th year of the Meiji period. It is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. 

Adachi Museum of Art - Ranked No. 1 among Japanese gardens for 21 consecutive years! Honored with 3 Michelin stars!

Tamatsukuri Onsen - Storied hot spring renowned for its skincare effects. 

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (UNESCO) - Between 1527 to 1923, Iwami Ginzan flourished as one of the world's great silver mines, with as much as one-third of the world's 16th century silver sourced here.

Izumo Oyashiro is a traditional shrine believed to be a gathering place for all Japanese deities.

Eshima Ohashi Bridge - The notorious bridge was featured in a Daihatsu car advertisement in Japan and has appeared in numerous online newspapers worldwide. It is often referred to as the world's “craziest” or “scariest” bridge.

The hometown of the manga artist of its namesake, Sakaiminato’s Mizuki Shigeru Road, is a popular destination for children and adults alike. The road, extending from Sakaiminato Station into the city proper, is an 800-meter-long arcade with some 153 bronze statues of Mizuki’s fantasy creatures on display, including details on each character.

Samtokusan Sambutsuji Temple is a mountain temple located on Mount Mitoku at an altitude of 900 meters. Its Nageire Hall was built in a hollow in a vertical cliff and was recognized as a national treasure because of its unique architectural form.

Tottori Sand Dunes - The largest dune in Japan.

Shukuba-machi Hirafuku - Hirafuku was a bustling post town along the historical Inaba Kaidō Highway during Japan's Edo Period (1603-1867). This roadside shop is the gateway for sightseeing in the Hirafuku area, where the old castle town remains.

The Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum is located in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture expands the dreams and hopes of young people into the future, based on the themes of "love of nature" and "respect for life" that Osamu Tezuka has always advocated. 

Nakayamadera Temple - A temple to pray for a safe birth and pregnancy.