Prerequisite :
18-kippu for 5 days (not available all the time, see this
link for details; costs 11'500 yen)
This tour starts from
Kobe and finish at the same point
Duration :
6 days - 5 nights
Transportation : by train (almost only local and rapid ones); a JR Rail Pass is not needed, but can help to speed up the journey; renting a car is also an option for days 4, 5 & 6.
Cost :
52'000 yens (including 18-kippu) + bento for lunch + 2 breakfasts / dinners not included
Theme : A tour of the south part of Honshu focusing on the sea coast. Visit of some of the most famous spots of Japan, including the Himeji castle & Hiroshima, as well as great smaller places like Tomo no Ura and Kinosaki Onsen. Lots of castles, overnighting on a small island with a nice beach and in a fantastic onsen town. This tour gives a great overview of many historical attractions and focuses on great nature spots.
DAY 1
Train : Kobe - Himeji by JR Special Rapid Service (36 min, frequency : every 15 min)
Himeji
Visit of the Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage site) - 600 yens (12 minutes walk from the station)
Train : Himeji - Okayama by JR Sanyo Line (change in Aioi) (85 min, frequency : every 60 min)
Optional visit :
Okayama
Korakuen Garden - 350 yens (5-10 minutes by bus or tramway)
Train : Okayama - Fukuyama by JR Sanyo Line (58 min, frequency : every 10 min)
Bus : Fukuyama - Tomo no Ura (580 yens, 30 minutes, frequency : every 15 min)
Ferry : Tomo no Ura - Sensuijima (240 yens return, 5 min, every 20 min)
Sensuijima
Accomodation : Kokokara (ここから)
www.sensuijima.jp/kokokara/top.html
phone - 084-982-2111
Single room (western type with bath & toilets) - 10000 yens including dinner & breakfast (this is part of the Healthy discounted Plan)
reserved through jalan.net
DAY 2
Climbing to the top of the island, walking around the beaches, onsen at the hotel
Ferry : Sensuijima - Tomo no Ura (5 min, every 20 min)
Tomo no Ura
Bicycle rental (just next to the ferry terminal, 100-200 yens; possibility to leave luggages for 200 yens)
Visit of some shrines, old town, fish market
Tomo Shichikyo-ochi ruins - 350 yens
Bus : Tomo no Ura - Fukuyama
Train : Fukuyama - Onomichi by JR Sanyo Line (19 min, frequency : every 20 min)
Train : Onomichi - Hiroshima by JR Sanyo Line (81 min, frequency : every 30 min)
Hiroshima
Hiroshima Peace Park & A-Dome - free
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - 50 yens
Train : Hiroshima - Miyajimaguchi by JR Sanyo Line (25 min, frequency : every 10 min)
Ferry : Miyajimaguchi - Miyajima island by JR ferry
Miyajima
Accomodation : Morinoyado (森の宿)
Twin room (with toilets, and view on the river) - 10'000 yens + 1000 yens (extra for single person) with a simple dinner and breakfast
DAY 3
Visit of :
Itsukushima shrine - 300 yens
Daisho-in Temple - free
Reach the top of the island by ropeways, followed by 30 minutes walk
Ropeways - 1800 yens (return ticket, 1000 yens for single way)
Ferry : Miyajima island - Miyajimaguchi by JR ferry
Train : Miyajimaguchi - Fukuyama by JR Sanyo Line (128 min, frequency : every 30 min)
Train : Fukuyama - Kurashiki JR by Sanyo Line (40 min, frequency : every 10 min)
Kurashiki
Quick tour of Kurashiki old town by bicycle (rental at the JR Car Rental next to the station, 350 yens)
Train : Kurashiki - Matsue by Limited Express Yakumo (5750 yens, 144 min, frequency : every 60 min)
Matsue
Accomodation : Business hotel around the station or between the station and the castle
Typical price for a single room : 5000-6000 yens (without meal)
reserved through jalan.net
DAY 4
Visit of the castle and historical sights
Lafcadio Hearn Museum - 150 yens (special price for foreigners)
Lafcadio Hearn Old Residence
Matsue Buke Yashiki - 150 yens (special price for foreigners)
Train : Matsue - Tottori (change in Yonago) (at least 135 min, frequency : very variable, careful planning required)
Tottori
Visit of the famous sand dunes (From JR Tottori Station, city loop bus (砂丘コース - Sakyuu Course) : 200 yens, 20 minutes)
Accomodation : Business hotel around the station or at the sand dunes
Typical price for a single room : 5000-6000 yens (without meal)
reserved through jalan.net
Alternative destination :
Misasa Onsen
Accomodation : Kiya Ryokan (木屋旅館)
www.misasa.co.jp
phone - 0858-43-0521
Single room (including 2 small rooms, with toilets, and view on the river) - 7000 yens without meal
reserved through jalan.net
Dinner : Izakaya
For a great dinner with excellent sashimi & sushi, as well as a lot of sake : 4200 yens
DAY 5
Train : Tottori - Kinosaki Onsen (change in Hamasaka) (around 125 min, frequency : every 60-120 minutes, careful planning required)
Kinosaki Onsen
Visit of the 7 public baths - free for visitors staying overnight
Accomodation : Tenboen (天望苑)
www.tenbouen.com
phone - 0796-32-3661
Single room (6 tatami, without bathroom) - 8000 yens including dinner (crab nabe) and breakfast
reserved through jalan.net
DAY 6
Visit (and shopping ?) in Kinosaki Onsen
Train : Kinosaki Onsen - Amagasaki by JR Fukuchiyama Line / JR Takarazuka Line (potential changing in Sasayamaguchi) (120 min, frequency : every 60 min)
Train : Amagasaki - Kobe by JR Special Rapid Service (18 min, frequency : every 10 min)
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