Setouchi by Superyacht: Explore Exquisite Cuisine, Bizen Ware, and Shodoshima’s Landscapes

Go on a Cruise to Experience the Culture of the Seto Inland Sea

The Seto Inland Sea is a calm inland sea that lies almost in the center of Japan. Dotted with over 700 islands of various sizes, it is a maritime cultural sphere where people and cultures have traveled by sea since ancient times.

Approximately 400 years ago (during the Edo period), diplomatic corps from mainland China and the Korean Peninsula would call at ports such as Tomonoura (Hiroshima), Ushimado (Okayama), and Murotsu (Hyogo), and are said to have interacted with the local people while waiting for favorable tides and winds.

During this process, various cultures were introduced, bringing great benefits to the local economy, and historical heritage that tells of the exchanges that took place at that time remains in various places today.

Avoid the Crowds and Enjoy a Special Cruise Experience

The area from Kansai to the Seto Inland Sea and all the way to Kyushu is a treasure trove of high-quality tourist destinations, but getting around by land can be quite inconvenient due to the complicated transportation network.So, we would like to suggest a cruise around the Seto Inland Sea.

Islands and port towns that are difficult to reach by land connect naturally into a single route by boat.

Escape the traffic and crowds on transit and travel with views of the ocean and islands stretching out before your eyes; this is a luxurious experience that can only be enjoyed in Setouchi.

With a superyacht as a villa on the sea, you can enjoy a truly exceptional experience. We will introduce the appeal of superyacht travel, which is gaining attention as a new form of tourism, and how it connects the diverse cultures of the Seto Inland Sea.

Superyachts are Private Salons on the Sea

A superyacht is a large cruiser over 80 feet (approximately 24 meters) in length. Characterized by a spacious layout and sophisticated design, they are villas on the sea where the wealthy can enjoy private stays.

A feature considered to be symbolic of a superyacht is the living space known as a "salon." Sofas and dining tables are comfortably arranged in this open space, filled with bright natural light. It is a social space where passengers can chat and relax while sailing.

Enjoy the Local Food Culture

The Setouchi area is one of Japan's leading gourmet treasure troves, so you won't want to miss out on the joys of food even on this cruise.

Along with sake and wine from sake-producing regions such as Okayama and Hiroshima, the cruise offers dishes that make use of the bounties of the land, such as abalone and oysters caught in nearby waters, rare Chiya beef (said to be the origin of Wagyu beef), and seasonal fruits.

Enjoying a dish on a boat gliding across the ocean, accompanied by the soft morning light or the gentle colors of the evening, offers a rich experience that cannot be experienced on land.

Beautiful Scenery Sparks Lively Conversation

Step out onto deck and you'll be able to experience the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea's many islands up close. The unique topography created by the islands and the scenery of the port town. The time taken to leisurely enjoy these interconnected landscapes is a luxury only possible on a superyacht, where you won't be rushed by travel time. Please feel free to ask the yacht staff, "What's the name of this island?" They'll not only tell you its name, but also the island's topographical features, history, and culture. Enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the islands, each shining with a completely different brilliance.

Conversations on board will naturally deepen with discussions about the culture and aesthetic sense experienced at your destination.

Those who have experiences with superyacht trips praise the private atmosphere and high-quality space. A superyacht’s salon is spacious enough for around 10 people to gather together, making it an ideal place for business networking as well as personal travel.

Cultural "Points" Connect Across the Sea

The Setouchi area is dotted with diverse cultures along its calm waters from traditional crafts that have been passed down since ancient times and a food culture deeply rooted in people's lives to contemporary art.

These spots may seem like independent destinations when visited on land, but when you visit them by sea they are a connected story. Take a trip on a superyacht and travel around tourist attractions overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.

Bizen Ware "Kayabuki Gallery Youzankyo"

Bizen ware, cultivated in Bizen, Okayama, is a traditional craft essential to the conversation when discussing the culture of this area. With a history of approximately 1,000 years, Bizen ware is ranked as one of the six representative pottery styles of Japan. Its distinctive reddish-brown color is the result of combining earth, fire, and the skilled techniques of artisans, and the patterns are so unique that it is said that no two pieces can be made the same.

Bizen ware is fired at high temperatures of over 1,200 degrees for around two weeks, resulting in strong, durable vessels. Large pots and mortars made in the late Middle Ages were used to store food such as sake, water, and miso, and were highly functional tools closely intertwined with people's daily lives. A large pot is also placed as a decorative piece in the gallery's garden.

The reason for the development of Bizen ware is its connection with maritime transport. It became possible to transport large quantities of Bizen ware due to production areas being near the sea. Even more interesting is its link to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi subjugated the Bizen region during his attack on the Mori clan and many anecdotes about Bizen ware, which was popular as tea ceremony utensils at the time, are said to remain. Be sure to come to see, touch, and experience the Bizen ware that Hideyoshi loved.

Gallery Youzankyo, which exhibits and sells the works of Bizen ware artists Isezaki Mitsuru and his son So, is an essential stop.

The approximately 250-year-old traditional Japanese home is like something out of a movie. You can see the actual kamado oven where pottery is fired. Not only can you appreciate their works, but you can also hear from the potter himself about his thoughts and historical background from a craftsman’s perspective and learn about the culture and spirituality of the land.

Your experience here goes far beyond mere observation. Through the artist’s own words, you will discover the profound emotions woven into each piece, as well as the history and spirituality nurtured by this land. We open our doors—even to the inner sanctum of the kiln—to offer a "Dialogic Appreciation" experience. Accompanied by insights from Bizen ware artisans on the region’s historical background and unique geographical traits, you are invited to touch the clay and the kilns, engaging with the craft through all your senses.

The large clay jars resting quietly in the gallery garden are more than just exhibits; they are vessels of memory, bearing witness to a culture that transcends time.

We invite you to come and experience for yourself—with your own eyes and hands—the allure of a ceramic tradition that once captivated historical heroes.

Yozankyo is not merely a place to "see" Bizen ware, but a sanctuary to understand, feel, and etch its essence into your heart.

Traditional Fermented Food "Yamaroku Soy Sauce"

Soy sauce is an essential seasoning in Japanese food culture.

Shodoshima, one of the many islands in Setouchi, has long been known as a place where soy sauce production has flourished. In addition to a warm climate with little rainfall, an ideal environment for fermentation, there was a culture of producing salt, a main ingredient in soy sauce, which contributed to the development of soy sauce production. Soy sauce is produced all over Japan, but it is a complex fermented food with aromas and flavors that vary by region.

Enjoy sweets made with soy sauce together with tea at the cafe.

Yamaroku Soy Sauce is a soy sauce brewery that has been in business for about 150 years on Shodoshima.

Soy sauce is made by hand in cedar barrels, which allow the lactic acid bacteria and yeast, the key starter microorganisms in soy sauce production, to flourish. The moromi (fermenting mixture) warehouse in particular was built over 100 years ago and is a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The walls are made of earth that give it a historic appearance, and the building itself contains 100 different types of lactic acid bacteria and yeast. These bacterias are what creates the rich flavor and aroma in soy sauce.

Brewing is difficult to control in wooden barrels and few breweries in the country still use this method. Here, you can not only enjoy the mellow taste and aroma that only wooden barrel soy sauce can offer, but also get a sense of just how delicate and profound Japan's fermentation culture is through detailed explanations.

Shodoshima became a true sanctuary for soy sauce production through a unique convergence of history and geography. Here, a 400-year legacy—carried from the Kishu region—has been nurtured by the island’s abundant natural salt, its mild climate, and its historic role as a hub of maritime trade. Through our "Immersive Sensory Tour," you will be guided through storehouses filled with the deep aroma of soy sauce and rows of traditional wooden barrels. It is a place designed for you to deeply and intimately experience the very origins of Japanese flavor.

Watch the Spectacular Sunset at Olivean Shodoshima Yuhigaoka Hotel

Your accommodations are one of the greatest pleasures of travel. Superyachts have comfortable bedrooms, but if you're visiting the Seto Inland Sea, we'll introduce a hotel where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and food.

Olivean Shodoshima Yuhigaoka Hotel, located on a hilltop on Shodoshima, is an accommodation with a spectacular view that has been selected as one of Japan's 100 most beautiful sunset viewing spots (Japan's Top 100 Sunsets).

Watching the sun slowly sink into the Seto Inland Sea will surely be the highlight of your trip. As soon as the light sinks below the horizon, the sea and sky take on soft colors and island silhouettes quietly emerge.

It is said that Shodoshima's summer sunsets burn red, while its winter sunsets shine golden. Be sure to visit and see for yourself.

At the restaurant, you can enjoy gourmet food that makes full use of ingredients from Setouchi and Shodoshima, such as locally produced seafood, soy sauce, tsukudani (preserved foods boiled in soy sauce), and somen noodles. Shodoshima is particularly known for its olive production, which is rare in Japan. Be sure to try the rare olive beef, which are raised on olives from the islands you visited by boat.

A Journey Following "Cultural Lines" Woven by the Sea

A trip around the Setouchi region on a superyacht connects scattered cultures together as a single "line." After enjoying the crafts, food, and scenery you encounter at ports of call, you can return to the ship and relax, savoring in the afterglow and sharpening your senses for your next destination.

On a cruise where private time is valued, one of the greatest appeals is the time you can spend in the salon reminiscing with family and friends traveling with you.

Turn your travel into a meaningful experience that deepens the meaning of your journey. By bringing together the experiences and scenery on board and on land, you will be able to create beautiful memories unlike any other trip you have had before.

In 2027, a marina capable of mooring superyachts is set to open in the waters west of GLION ARENA KOBE, located in the redeveloped district of Shinko, Kobe, which just opened in April 2025. Additionally, Nakanoshima Gate, where superyachts can be moored, acts as a port of call and was developed in Nakanoshima near central Osaka.

Furthermore, Yumeshima, a bustling venue for the 2025 World Expo that attracted many visitors, is currently being developed as an international tourist hub with hotels, entertainment centers, MICE facilities, and more.

In the near future, the Osaka-Setouchi area will become a golden sea route, connecting Yumeshima to Nakanoshima in Osaka, Shinko Kobe, and Awaji Island, and then extending further to Shodoshima, Naoshima, and other islands in the Setouchi region, making it possible to enjoy a richer and more meaningful cruise that has never been experienced before.

Superyacht travel may become a catalyst for further broadening the appeal of the Setouchi region in the years to come.

For inquiries about superyacht cruises, please contact: fp@ryobi-tours.jp