three ways to feel Setouchi city:
Osafune, Oku, Ushimado

three ways to feel
Setouchi city:
Osafune, Oku, Ushimado

A city divided into 3 distinct regions where you can see real samurai swords, taste olive ice cream, visit Japan’s biggest snack shop, and relax by the sea — all in a single day

  • A Japanese katana againt a black backdrop with purple decorative pieces slightly unsheathed
    A swordsmith stands behind a towering flame in his workshop
    A temple fountain shaped like a cow, with water gently flowing from its nose into a stone basin below.
    Close-up of colorful Japanese wagashi shaped like tiny animals and plants
    Olive branches in the foreground of an olive grove, with the Seto Inland Sea and scattered islands visible in the background.
    View of Ushimado Islands, featuring Maejima surrounded by the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea under a clear sky.

Top 5 things to do in Setouchi

Top 5 things to do in Setouchi

Top 5 things to do in Setouchi

  • Japanese man wearing traditional samurai armor and demonstrating the use of a katana

    View details

    Watch a live sword-cutting performance by a Samurai

    Experience the precision of a real sword master in samurai armor.

    Close-up of hammers striking tamahagane steel during a traditional forging demonstration, with sparks flying from the hot metal.

    View details

    Witness a Japanese sword crafted right in front of you

    Highly skilled sword makers create modern sword every day at our Sword Museum.

    A woman walks along a sandy path that emerges from the Seto sea at low tide

    View details

    A mysterious hidden path emerges from the sea

    If your timing is good, you can walk this natural path leading to a small island at low tide.

    Bright orange sunset against dark blue waters and a hazy sky

    View details

    Take in the glow of sunsets over Japan's "Aegean" Sea

    The sea is a deep, crisp blue in winter and turns into a bright shade of emerald in summer.

    Japanese 'dagashi' snacks on display

    View details

    Get lost in Japan's biggest snack shop

    Get your Japanese snacks fix at the nation-wide famous ‘dagashiya’ shop.

  • Japanese man wearing traditional samurai armor and demonstrating the use of a katana

    Get details

    Watch a live sword-cutting performance by a Samurai

    Experience the precision of a real sword master in samurai armor.

  • Close-up of hammers striking tamahagane steel during a traditional forging demonstration, with sparks flying from the hot metal.

    Get details

    Witness a Japanese sword crafted right in front of you

    Highly skilled sword makers create modern sword every day at our Sword Museum.

  • A woman walks along a sandy path that emerges from the Seto sea at low tide

    Get details

    A mysterious hidden path emerges from the sea

    If your timing is good, you can walk this natural path leading to a small island at low tide.

  • Bright orange sunset against dark blue waters and a hazy sky

    Get details

    Take in the glow of sunsets over Japan's "Aegean" Sea

    The sea is a deep, crisp blue in winter and turns into a bright shade of emerald in summer.

  • Japanese 'dagashi' snacks on display

    Get details

    Get lost in Japan's biggest snack shop

    Get your Japanese snacks fix at the nation-wide famous ‘dagashiya’ shop.

  • Japanese man wearing traditional samurai armor and demonstrating the use of a katana

    View details

    Watch a live sword-cutting performance by a Samurai

    Experience the precision of a real sword master in samurai armor.

    Get details

    Witness a Japanese sword crafted right in front of you

    Highly skilled sword makers create modern sword every day at our Sword Museum.

    A woman walks along a sandy path that emerges from the Seto sea at low tide

    View details

    A mysterious hidden path emerges from the sea

    If your timing is good, you can walk this natural path leading to a small island at low tide.

    Bright orange sunset against dark blue waters and a hazy sky

    View details

    Take in the glow of sunsets over Japan's "Aegean" Sea

    The sea is a deep, crisp blue in winter and turns into a bright shade of emerald in summer.

    Japanese 'dagashi' snacks on display

    Get details

    Get lost in Japan's biggest snack shop

    Get your Japanese snacks fix at the nation-wide famous ‘dagashiya’ shop.

Explore setouchi by category

Explore setouchi by category

Explore setouchi by category

Two women admiring Japanese art work in a tatami room

ART

Learn more

Step into the world of a famous painter, rare ceramics traditions and contemporary art.

Two women admiring Japanese art work in a tatami room

ART

Step into the world of a famous painter, rare ceramics traditions and contemporary art.

Customer picking up fresh sashimi

CUISINE

Learn more

Taste the flavors of Setouchi and indulge in local yellow tail or oyster dishes.

Customer picking up fresh sashimi

CUISINE

Taste the flavors of Setouchi and indulge in local yellow tail and sea bream, or oyster dishes

Older Japanese man wearing festival clothes, playing a traditional drum in front of a pagoda

EVENTS

Learn more

Join small local events, from art festivals to local matsuri and historical re-enactments.

Older Japanese man wearing festival clothes, playing a traditional drum in front of a pagoda

EVENTS

Join small local events, from summer firework displays to historical re-enactments and yearl…

Swordsmith polishing a blade

HISTORY & CULTURE

Dive in and learn more about the region's deep samurai and trade history, as well as rich as t…

Swordsmith polishing a blade

HISTORY & CULTURE

Learn more

Dive in and learn more about the region's deep samurai and trade history, as well as rich as t…

Two women kayaking on the crisp blue Seto Inland Sea

NATURE ACTIVITIES

Learn more

Refresh your body and mind in the stunning emerald green sea or beautiful olive groves.

Two women admiring Japanese art work in a tatami room

NATURE ACTIVITIES

Refresh your body and mind in the stunning emerald green sea, beautiful olive groves, and…

Hand crafting a personal piece of Bizen pottery on a small pottery wheel

HANDS ON ACTIVITIES

Learn more

Sculpt your very own traditional Bizen ware, dress in a yukata or craft your paper knife!

Hand crafting a personal piece of Bizen pottery on a small pottery wheel

HANDS ON ACTIVITIES

From sculpting your very own traditional Bizen ware or crafting your unique letter opener, you're bound to

90 minutes from Osaka

Three worlds in one city

Osafune

Oku

Ushimado

Read access details

Osafune

Ushimado

Oku

Land of legendary Japanese swords

Blades are still born from fire in one of the most famous sword-producing regions in Japan: Osafune. This area is home to the legendary “Sanchomo” blade. Witness highly-skilled swordsmiths forge a blade right in front of you!

Explore more of Osafune

90 minutes from Osaka

Three worlds, one city

Osafune

Oku

Ushimado

Read access details

Osafune

Ushimado

Oku

Land of legendary Japanese swords

Blades are still born from fire in one of the most famous sword-producing regions in Japan: Osafune. This area is home to the legendary “Sanchomo” blade. Witness highly-skilled swordsmiths forge a blade right in front of you!

Explore more of Osafune

90 minutes from Osaka

Three worlds in one city

Osafune

Oku

Ushimado

Read access details

Osafune

Ushimado

Oku

Land of legendary Japanese swords

Blades are still born from fire in one of the most famous sword-producing regions in Japan: Osafune. This area is home to the legendary “Sanchomo” blade. Witness highly-skilled swordsmiths forge a blade right in front of you!

Explore more of Osafune

Our Latest Sword Experiences

Our Latest Sword Experiences

Our Latest Sword Experiences

A man on a boat fishing for oysters in the sea, using a net to gather them from the water.

Get details

Stage Sword Fighting

The tachimawari (sword choreography) experience is led by professional actor and action performer

A man on a boat fishing for oysters in the sea, using a net to gather them from the water.

View details

Stage Sword Fighting

The tachimawari (sword choreography) experience is led by professional actor and action performer

A hand holding a cup of matcha tiramisu, topped with vibrant green matcha mousse, ready to be enjoyed.

Get details

Hands-on Sword Appraisal Session

Our sword expert will explain the appraisal process, as well as some of the most famous artistic motifs

A hand holding a cup of matcha tiramisu, topped with vibrant green matcha mousse, ready to be enjoyed.

View details

Hands-on Sword Appraisal Session

Our sword expert will explain the appraisal process, as well as some of the most famous artistic motifs

Flyer for Hotel Limani Restaurant’s limited winter menu, displaying all featured food and drinks

Get details

Sword-Making Session with a Master Swordsmith

Experience a private guided visit to a swordsmith’s workshop and try hammering steel yourself!

Flyer for Hotel Limani Restaurant’s limited winter menu, displaying all featured food and drinks

View details

Sword-Making Session with a Master Swordsmith

Experience a private guided visit to a swordsmith’s workshop and try hammering steel yourself!

  • A man on a boat fishing for oysters in the sea, using a net to gather them from the water.

    View details

    Stage Sword Fighting

    The tachimawari (sword choreography) experience is led by professional actor and action performer

    A hand holding a cup of matcha tiramisu, topped with vibrant green matcha mousse, ready to be enjoyed.

    View details

    Hands-on Sword Appraisal Session

    Our sword expert will explain the appraisal process, as well as some of the most famous artistic motifs

    Flyer for Hotel Limani Restaurant’s limited winter menu, displaying all featured food and drinks

    View details

    Sword-Making Session with a Master Swordsmith

    Experience a private guided visit to a swordsmith’s workshop and try hammering steel yourself!

History & Culture

Exciting current events

MAY 16 - JULY 20

Japanese swords and the world new exhibition poster image

Learn more

Bizen Osafune Sword Museum

Exhibition: Bizen Swords of the Muromachi Period

MARCH 14 - MAY 17

Poster for the Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum exhibition, showing the theme and dates with seasonal tsubaki flower visual elements.

Learn more

Setouchi City Museum of Art

Exhibition: Meet Gozan's masterpieces - Japanese Painting Masters

MARCH 14 - MAY 17

Poster for the Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum exhibition, showing the theme and dates with seasonal tsubaki flower visual elements.

Learn more

Setouchi City Museum of Art

Exhibition: Meet Gozan's masterpieces - Japanese Painting Masters

JUNE 6 - AUG 30

Poster for the Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum exhibition, showing the theme and dates with seasonal tsubaki flower visual elements.

Learn more

Takehisa Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum

Exhibition: A Journey with Yumeji

Connect with the locals at year round markets

  • 6/28 (Sunday)

    Read more

    Bizen ‘Fukuoka no Ichi’ Morning Market

    A century-old historic market with a medieval atmosphere.

    7/12 (Sunday)

    crab, fish, shrimp and octopus on display

    Read more

    Ushimado Market

    Taste fresh seasonal fish at this local farmers’ morning market.

Exciting current events

Exciting current events

MAY 16 - JULY 20

A Fascination of Swords: Selected Blades from the Museum Collections

Learn more

Exhibition: Bizen Swords of the Muromachi Period

Bizen Osafune Sword Museum in Osafune.

MAY 16 - JULY 20

A Fascination of Swords: Selected Blades from the Museum Collections

Learn more

Exhibition: Bizen Swords of the Muromachi Period

Bizen Osafune Sword Museum in Osafune.

JUNE 6 - AUG 30

Poster for the Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum exhibition, showing the theme and dates with seasonal tsubaki flower visual elements.

Learn more

Exhibition: A Journey with Yumeji

Takehisa Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum.

JUNE 6 - AUG 30

Poster for the Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum exhibition, showing the theme and dates with seasonal tsubaki flower visual elements.

Learn more

Exhibition: A Journey with Yumeji

Takehisa Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum.

MAY 14 - JUNE 28

Poster for the Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum exhibition, showing the theme and dates with seasonal tsubaki flower visual elements.

Learn more

Exhibition: Meet Gozan's masterpieces - Japanese Painting Masters

Setouchi City Museum of Art

MAY 14 - JUNE 28

Poster for the Yumeji Birthplace Memorial Museum exhibition, showing the theme and dates with seasonal tsubaki flower visual elements.

Learn more

Exhibition: Meet Gozan's masterpieces - Japanese Painting Masters

Setouchi City Museum of Art

Connect with the locals at year round markets

Connect with the locals at year round markets

6/28 (Sunday)

Read more

Bizen ‘Fukuoka no Ichi’ Morning Market

A century-old historic market with a medieval atmosphere.

7/12 (Sunday)

crab, fish, shrimp and octopus on display

Read more

Ushimado Market

Taste fresh seasonal fish at this local farmers’ morning market.

View all events

View all events

wake up in Japan's 'mediterranean'

From seaside luxury seaside resorts to casual guesthouses run by local hosts, Setouchi offers a small but diverse range of stays.

In Ushimado town or Maejima Island, shaped by the sea and history, wake to quiet harbors and the promise of new discoveries by the shore.

See all stays

logo of serandipians luxury tour company

wake up in japan's 'mediterranean'

From seaside luxury seaside resorts to casual guesthouses run by local hosts, Setouchi offers a small but diverse range of stays.

In Ushimado town or Maejima Island, shaped by the sea and history, wake to quiet harbors and the promise of new discoveries by the shore.

See all stays

logo of serandipians luxury tour company

wake up in Japan's 'mediterranean'

From seaside luxury seaside resorts to casual guesthouses run by local hosts, Setouchi offers a small but diverse range of stays.

In Ushimado town or Maejima Island, shaped by the sea and history, wake to quiet harbors and the promise of new discoveries by the shore.

See all stays

logo of serandipians luxury tour company