Taste locally produced salt and sake that flourished in Takehara,

Feature

• Takehara, Hiroshima’s “Little Kyoto,” has preserved its old townscape. You will stroll with a guide through the atmospheric town as if you had time-traveled back to Japan’s old days.

• Takehara flourished as a salt producing town. You will learn about the origins of salt production from a number of documents that still exist today.

• After learning about salt production, you’ll enjoy lunch in a private room with a view of the city of Takehara, where you will enjoy a Shokado bento box filled with dishes using Takehara’s salt, as well as local ingredients grown in Takehara and local Taoshita beef. After lunch, you’ll taste three kinds of local sake brewed in Takehara. Please enjoy comparing the three styles of sake, each with its own unique flavor.

• After lunch, visit Saiho-ji Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the city of Takehara. The view of the sea, mountains, and ancient Japanese houses blended with the present is a view that can only be experienced at Saiho-ji Temple. Here you can experience the Japanese art of ikebana. Come and experience flower arrangement with your teacher.

• After Takehara, head to the neighboring city of Mihara. The train will take you to Mihara, where you can enjoy the view of the sea and islands unique to the Setouchi area from the train window. On the way, there are sections of the tracks that seem to run on the sea, so enjoy the ride.

• On the way back, you’ll take the Shinkansen to JR Hiroshima Station for an easy ride!