The 'Mediterranean of Japan' Has Scenic Train Journeys, Historic Sake Distilleries, and Year-round Mild Weather

"Toward Honshu's southern tip, Japan's largest island narrows, yet the landscape remains as dramatic as ever. Down here, the Setouchi region is a tapestry of hazy hills, palm-lined coast, and intriguing islands. And with its mild year-round temperatures, there's an undeniably Mediterranean feel. But dig a little deeper, and this is far more than just the "Japanese Riviera." My meander around this region uncovered rich Edo period history, fascinating food, and memorable train journeys. Here are some of the best things to do in Setouchi."

"While I nursed a local citrus-infused beer and sat on a specially designed window-facing seat, the quaint two-carriage train danced a serpentine route. High cedar-covered mountains, orderly oyster farms, and ghostly offshore islands drifted by. Even seeing the hulking shipbuilding yards at Kure held a strange fascination, as it was here that the Yamato was launched in 1940; upon completion, it was the world's largest battleship."

"Speaking of WWII, the train arrives in a Hiroshima that's much changed since the devastation of the atomic bomb attack on Aug. 6, 1945. Its modern skyline and gregarious okonomiyaki restaurants are vibrant symbols, but the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a well-manicured reminder of the city's traumatic past. The Genbaku Dome-the only surviving building from the blast-is one of the most macabre tourist attractions I've ever seen, yet its skeletal ruins are oddly beautiful, surrounded by green palms and white azaleas."

Setouchi occupies the narrowed southern tip of Honshu and features hazy hills, palm-lined coasts, and intriguing islands with a Mediterranean-like climate. The region offers Edo-period history, distinct local cuisine, and scenic rail experiences. The retro etSETOra train runs between Onomichi and Hiroshima, gliding past cedar-covered mountains, oyster farms, offshore islands, and the Kure shipyards where the battleship Yamato was launched. Hiroshima presents a modern skyline and lively okonomiyaki restaurants alongside solemn sites such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Genbaku Dome, with memorials like the Cenotaph, Peace Bell, Flame of Peace, and a frequently crowded museum.

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