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:
6. Bliss out at Dogo Hot Spring
Rumoured to be the hot spring that inspired the bath houses in anime Spirited Away, Dogo is also Japan’s oldest hot spring with more than 3,000 years of history.
The area is clustered with a number of inns and hotels, bearing a charming atmosphere fitting of a hot spring resort.
Soak away your worries at the various hot springs and hot foot baths before visiting the Dogo Shopping Arcade in your yukata.
Dogo Onsen Honkan is a four minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station.
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