Discovering the hidden charms of Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Tokushima and more
Photos: Weekender
I never seem to tire of Japan, no matter how often I step foot into its maze of skyscrapers, shrines and pop cultural hangouts.
This time round, I found myself discovering the Setouchi area in the heart of autumn, where we luxuriated in a poetic dreamscape of fall foliage.
The region consists of a national park, calm inland seas and beautiful islands, in addition to historical buildings and cultural sites.
Escaping the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, we plunged into the quieter gems of the country — exploring the likes of Miyajima, Hiroshima, Imabari and more.
To explore Setouchi like a local, be sure to tick these 14 activities off your checklist:
11. View the Naruto whirlpools
Natuto brings to mind many things: The namesake anime and even the swirly fish cakes so commonly found in cup noodles.
One soon learns that the word simply meant a maelstrom, which made sense if one considered the Naruto whirlpools that occur along the Shikoku coast of the Naruto Strait.
The best way to view them? Via a sightseeing cruise, which gets one right up next to the whirlpools.
Two cruise companies run tours from nearby piers on Shikoku and Awaji Island on the opposite side of the strait.
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