Great Wide Open Travel guides and transformative journeys

Chugoku

The region of Chugoku. The quiet fourth main island, across the Inland Sea. Ancient Dōgo Onsen at Matsuyama, the 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage, the contemporary art islands around Naoshima, and the remote river gorges of the Iya Valley.

Chugoku, Japan, Kurashiki

Kurashiki

By Andrew / July 13, 2026

Home Kurashiki A canal quarter of white-walled storehouses Why go? Go because its old merchant quarter is one of the […]

Chugoku, Japan, Okayama

Okayama

By Andrew / July 13, 2026

Home Okayama A great garden and a black castle Why go? Go because it’s home to one of the three

Chugoku, Japan, Miyajima

Miyajima

By Andrew / July 13, 2026

Home Miyajima The island of the floating torii Why go? Go because of one of the most iconic sights in

Chugoku, Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima

By Andrew / July 13, 2026

Home Hiroshima A city reborn, and a message of peace Why go? Go because nowhere else in the world speaks

Chugoku, Cycling, Japan

The Shimanami Kaidō

By Andrew / July 7, 2026

Home The Shimanami Kaidō Cycling from Island to Island Across the Inland Sea The ride at a glance Distance~70 km