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When
October 21–23, 2026
Where
Southern Ehime, Shikoku | Seiyo · Ainan · Uwajima
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Group Size
Limited to 4 guests
Price
Coming soon
Join Kristina for a 3-day small-group journey through Seiyo, Ainan and Uwajima in Southern Ehime, with local food, traditional crafts, rural villages and Uwa Sea landscapes.
3-Day Southern Ehime Tour | Seiyo, Ainan & Uwajima
When
October 21–23, 2026
Where
Southern Ehime, Shikoku | Seiyo · Ainan · Uwajima
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Group Size
Limited to 4 guests
Price
Coming soon
Join Kristina for a 3-day small-group journey through Seiyo, Ainan and Uwajima in Southern Ehime, with local food, traditional crafts, rural villages and Uwa Sea landscapes.
3-Day
Southern Ehime Tour | Seiyo, Ainan & Uwajima
Southern Ehime Tour | Seiyo, Ainan & Uwajima
“The edge of the world” is how Southern Ehime felt when I first visited.
And I’m not only talking about its location at the southwestern edge of Shikoku. This is a place where mountains, farmland, villages, and the sea come together, and where generations of people have adapted their lives to the landscape.
They created communities in narrow spaces between steep mountains and the coast, built stone walls to protect their homes from strong winds, and turned hillsides into terraced fields for growing crops and citrus fruit. Even in Japan, landscapes like these are rare.
— Kristina Minami
And I’m not only talking about its location at the southwestern edge of Shikoku. This is a place where mountains, farmland, villages, and the sea come together, and where generations of people have adapted their lives to the landscape.
They created communities in narrow spaces between steep mountains and the coast, built stone walls to protect their homes from strong winds, and turned hillsides into terraced fields for growing crops and citrus fruit. Even in Japan, landscapes like these are rare.
— Kristina Minami
Travel to the Southwestern Edge of Shikoku with Kristina
Southern Ehime feels far from the usual Tokyo–Kyoto travel route, but it is easier to reach than you might expect. We’ll meet at Matsuyama Airport, which has direct flights from Tokyo and Osaka, and arrange all transportation from there.
Over three days, we’ll travel from the inland farming communities of Seiyo to the coastal towns of Ainan and Uwajima. We’ll meet local families, share meals and learn about rare crafts.
This journey was created through years of returning to the region and building relationships with the people who live here. It is not a route you can simply recreate from an online list of places.
Over three days, we’ll travel from the inland farming communities of Seiyo to the coastal towns of Ainan and Uwajima. We’ll meet local families, share meals and learn about rare crafts.
This journey was created through years of returning to the region and building relationships with the people who live here. It is not a route you can simply recreate from an online list of places.
3 Days at the Edge of Shikoku
| Craft and Culture in Rural Seiyo Our journey begins in the mountains of Seiyo, where 300-year-old cedars surround a historic Zen temple. Here we’ll enjoy seasonal shojin ryori, a traditional Buddhist meal, made by a restaurant recognized in the Michelin Guide. Next, we’ll meet the family preserving a nearly 400-year-old papermaking technique found only in this region. They join two wet sheets to create strong paper, continuing a tradition now kept alive by just one family in Nomura. We’ll end the day in historic Unomachi, walking its old streets and learning how people once lived in inland Southern Ehime. |
| From the rice fields to the Uwa Sea Day 2 takes us from Seiyo’s rice fields to the Uwa Sea. We’ll meet a local rice farmer and shimenawa craftsman, and learn how rice straw is turned into sacred ropes, folk art, and family traditions. In Ainan, we’ll cook with local grandmothers, making sea bream dishes, tai gyoza, dumplings filled with local sea bream, dashi broth, and local mochi. We’ll end the day at Cape Komo, where high cliffs meet the open sea at the southernmost edge of Ehime. With coffee or tea in hand, we’ll slow down and take in the view at one of the places where “The Edge of Shikoku” feels most real. |
| Life on the Edge On our final day, we’ll see how people have adapted to life between the mountains and the sea. We’ll walk through a stone-walled village, where local families built high walls to protect their homes from typhoons and strong seasonal winds. In Uwajima, we’ll visit Yusu Mizugaura, where generations of farmers have turned steep slopes above the Uwa Sea into terraced fields. From here, mountain, field, village, and sea come together in a single view. Our journey ends at Matsuyama Airport, where it’s easy to catch a flight back to Tokyo or Osaka, or choose to keep exploring more of Shikoku and rural Japan if you wish. |
The Last Family Preserving a 400-year-old Papermaking Tradition
3-Day Southern Ehime Tour | Seiyo, Ainan & Uwajima
Join Kristina for a 3-day small-group journey through Seiyo, Ainan and Uwajima in Southern Ehime, with local food, traditional crafts, rural villages and Uwa Sea landscapes.
When
October 21–23, 2026
Where
Seiyo · Ainan · Uwajima
Southern Ehime, Shikoku
Southern Ehime, Shikoku
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Group Size
Limited to 4 guests
Price
Coming soon
When
October 21–23, 2026
Where
Southern Ehime, Shikoku
Seiyo · Ainan · Uwajima
Seiyo · Ainan · Uwajima
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Group Size
Limited to 4 guests
Price
Coming soon
Day 1
Visual communication takes place through pictures, graphs and charts, as well as through signs, signals, and symbols. It may be used either independently or as an adjunct to other methods.
Day 2
Symbolization is an important definition for this perspective. Cultural perspective involves identity of symbols. The use of words that are related to the image, the use of characters, etc. is the symbolization of the image.
Day 3
The view of images in the critical perspective is when the viewers criticize the images, and the critiques have been made in the interest of the society, although it’s an individual perspective nevertheless.
Accomodations
The Garden contains 50 different gardens and plant collections. There is a serene cascade waterfall, as well as wetlands and a 50-acre (20 ha) tract of original, never-logged, old-growth New York forest.
Our April Awaji tour is now fully booked 🌿
Thank you so much for all the applications. We’ve contacted the first 6 participants based on the order of application, so please check your email for our message.
If you’re on the waiting list, please note that the cancellation deadline is April 3rd, we may contact you if a spot becomes available.
If you didn’t get a spot this time, we run similar experiences throughout the year. Dates can be flexible depending on your travel schedule, so feel free to reach out anytime.
If you’re on the waiting list, please note that the cancellation deadline is April 3rd, we may contact you if a spot becomes available.
If you didn’t get a spot this time, we run similar experiences throughout the year. Dates can be flexible depending on your travel schedule, so feel free to reach out anytime.
Spend two days exploring Awaji Island together with local creators, farmers, and artisans.
This small-group experience offers a rare opportunity to step beyond typical tourism and discover the island through the people who shape its culture.
We will visit an organic strawberry farm by the sea, try indigo dyeing and pottery, explore the retro streets of Sumoto, and enjoy the island’s delicious food.
Along the way, we will also have relaxed conversations about life, travel, and working in Japan, sharing ideas and experiences that may inspire your own future journeys.
Because the group is very small, the experience will feel relaxed and personal, more like traveling together with friends who love Japan.
This small-group experience offers a rare opportunity to step beyond typical tourism and discover the island through the people who shape its culture.
We will visit an organic strawberry farm by the sea, try indigo dyeing and pottery, explore the retro streets of Sumoto, and enjoy the island’s delicious food.
Along the way, we will also have relaxed conversations about life, travel, and working in Japan, sharing ideas and experiences that may inspire your own future journeys.
Because the group is very small, the experience will feel relaxed and personal, more like traveling together with friends who love Japan.
Mountain Views
Organic Farm
Indigo Dye Workshop
Pottery Making
Retro Shops
What Makes This Tour Special
This experience is designed to go deeper than a typical sightseeing trip.
During the tour, you will:
01
Visit local places on Awaji Island together with island navigators
02
Experience strawberry farming, pottery, and traditional indigo dyeing
03
Explore the charming seaside town of Sumoto
04
Meet local creators and artisans and hear their stories
05
Gain insight into how cultural tourism projects are created in Japan
Because the group is small, there will be plenty of time for conversation, questions, and spontaneous moments during the trip.
About Your Guides
This experience is hosted by Kristina Minami and Sachi from Inner Japan, together with a network of local navigators who live on Awaji Island.
While we design the overall journey, it is the local navigators who make it truly special. They open doors that are usually closed to visitors. Rather than simply showing you Awaji, this experience is designed as a bridge, connecting you with the island through the people who call it home.
Awaji Island Itinerary
Day 1
Local Life and Indigo Craft
11:00
11:00
Meet on Awaji Island
Before the tour, we will share detailed guidance on how to reach the island from Kobe by bus, making it easy even for first-time visitors.
11:30
11:30
Farm Studio
Visit an organic farm overlooking the sea, where we’ll spend time with the owners and get to know each other through relaxed conversation. We’ll also pick fresh strawberries and enjoy a seasonal lunch in a traditional Japanese farmhouse.
15:00
15:00
Organic Indigo Village Onokoro Ai
Visit Onokoro Ai, a studio dedicated to traditional indigo dyeing (aizome), where you will dye fabric by hand using locally grown indigo while meeting the young creators revitalizing this craft.
17:00
17:00
Travel to Sumoto
Check in at your hotel and relax. If you choose a hotel with onsen, you can enjoy the hot spring before dinner.
19:00
19:00
Sumoto Bar Hopping
Explore small local bars in Sumoto’s historic streets — from retro record bars to tiny neighborhood spots where conversations with locals happen naturally.
Food and drinks are not included, so you can choose what you feel like trying, and most places are very affordable.
I also know many of my followers enjoy quieter travel. If bar hopping isn’t your thing, feel free to skip this part and spend a relaxing evening at your hotel or onsen instead.
Food and drinks are not included, so you can choose what you feel like trying, and most places are very affordable.
I also know many of my followers enjoy quieter travel. If bar hopping isn’t your thing, feel free to skip this part and spend a relaxing evening at your hotel or onsen instead.
Day 2
Pottery and Island Culture
11:00
11:00
Awabi Ware Pottery Experience
Create pottery with the artisans of Awabi Ware, a contemporary ceramic studio on Awaji Island housed inside a renovated retro clinic.
13:00
13:00
Lunch at Hisanuma
Enjoy a seasonal Japanese lunch featuring Awaji Island vegetables and fresh seafood, served in a beautifully renovated traditional house.
15:00
15:00
Walk Through Sumoto
Explore the quiet streets of Sumoto, a historic castle town where small creative shops, pottery galleries, and renovated traditional buildings are slowly bringing new life to the area.
16:00
16:00
Visit Iwagami Shrine
A peaceful shrine surrounded by forest, known for its massive sacred rock. The atmosphere feels mysterious and deeply connected to Japanese mythology.
19:00
19:00
Hidden bar (Optional)
If you decide to stay one more night on Awaji Island, we may visit a hidden bar inspired by the scents of the island. Food and drinks are paid separately.
About Accommodation
Accommodation is not included so participants can choose a hotel that fits their preferences and budget.
We will recommend several options in Sumoto, starting from around ¥10,000 per night per person, including affordable hotels with onsen.
How to Get to Awaji IslandThe meeting point will be Higashi-Ura Bus Terminal on Awaji Island. You can reach it by bus from Shin-Kobe Station, which is easily accessible by train from:
We will provide detailed instructions to help you choose the correct bus, so no worries even if it’s your first time taking a bus in Japan. |
How to Get to Awaji Island
The meeting point will be Higashi-Ura Bus Terminal on Awaji Island.
You can reach it by bus from Shin-Kobe Station, which is easily accessible by train from:
- Osaka
- Kyoto
- Kobe
We will provide detailed instructions to help you choose the correct bus, so no worries even if it’s your first time taking a bus in Japan.
Who This Tour Is ForThis tour may be especially interesting for:
|
Who This Tour Is For
This tour may be especially interesting for:
- Travelers interested in Japanese crafts and culture
- People curious about tourism and local communities in Japan
- Those interested in thinking more deeply about the future of regional tourism and how to bring more people to rural areas
- Anyone who enjoys meeting creative and curious people
The atmosphere will be relaxed and conversational rather than structured like a formal workshop. You might even find your new friends or good companions!
Application
Pricing
¥100,000 per person (tax included)
This includes a two-day small-group cultural experience with English-speaking support and guidance from me, Kristina.
Apply before April 8 (Wednesday) – 17:00 Japan Time
Participation is first-come, first-served.
Because the schedule depends on several local hosts, this will be the only time we organize this experience this year.
All spots filled🌿 Thank you
If these dates don’t work for you, we also run regular Awaji Island tours with local guides throughout the year (with a slightly different itinerary and without me, Kristina, as the host).
You can find more information and pricing here.
You can find more information and pricing here.
Learn More About Awaji Island
Before joining, you may want to explore some of my videos about Awaji Island to get a sense of the atmosphere.
More Details on This Tour
This is not a typical sightseeing tour — it’s a small, intimate experience designed around real connections with local people.
You’ll visit places that are usually hard to access, meet artisans and farmers, and experience Awaji Island through the people who live there. With a very small group, the atmosphere is relaxed and personal, more like traveling with friends than joining a tour.
You’ll visit places that are usually hard to access, meet artisans and farmers, and experience Awaji Island through the people who live there. With a very small group, the atmosphere is relaxed and personal, more like traveling with friends than joining a tour.
Not at all — this tour is designed with international participants in mind.
You will be supported throughout the experience by English-speaking guides, including Kristina and Sachi, who will help with communication, translation, and cultural context. Even when visiting local farms, studios, or bars where English may not be widely spoken, we’ll make sure you feel comfortable and included in conversations.
You will be supported throughout the experience by English-speaking guides, including Kristina and Sachi, who will help with communication, translation, and cultural context. Even when visiting local farms, studios, or bars where English may not be widely spoken, we’ll make sure you feel comfortable and included in conversations.
We will meet at the Higashi-Ura Bus Terminal on Awaji Island. Before the tour, we’ll send you clear step-by-step instructions on how to get there from Kobe (Shin-Kobe Station), so it’s easy even if it’s your first time visiting Japan.
It’s easier than you think!
From Tokyo: Take the Shinkansen to Shin-Kobe Station (approx. 2.5–3 hours), then hop on a direct express bus to Awaji Island—no transfers needed.
From Osaka/Kyoto: Just 60 minutes by train to Shin-Kobe, then the same direct bus.
We’ll guide you step-by-step once you book, so don’t worry even if it’s your first time.
From Tokyo: Take the Shinkansen to Shin-Kobe Station (approx. 2.5–3 hours), then hop on a direct express bus to Awaji Island—no transfers needed.
From Osaka/Kyoto: Just 60 minutes by train to Shin-Kobe, then the same direct bus.
We’ll guide you step-by-step once you book, so don’t worry even if it’s your first time.
The tour includes all organized experiences and activities over two days, as well as transfers, English-speaking guidance and support throughout.
Meals, drinks during bar hopping, transportation to/from Awaji Island, and accommodation are not included, so you can choose options that fit your preferences.
Meals, drinks during bar hopping, transportation to/from Awaji Island, and accommodation are not included, so you can choose options that fit your preferences.
No problem — we can accommodate most dietary needs. Please let us know in advance, and we’ll coordinate with our local hosts and restaurants to prepare suitable options where possible.
Fill in a simple form to apply for this tour.
Special Awaji Tour Gallery
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