The voyage through Setouchi’s colors is an apt journey for this time of year, when hints of color begin to spread across the landscape. We will welcome Yasuto Ide, once a disciple of the well-known Setouchi master of Japanese painting Ikuo Hirayama to paint designs on shells, enjoy a stunning view of the seascape of the Inland Sea from amid the cherry blossoms atop Shikoku’s Mt. Shiude and visit the workshop of a Sanuki nori dyer.
This peaceful voyage is an opportunity to enjoy enduring traditions of vivid artistry and the soft colors of nature in Setouchi.

From our home port of Bella Vista Marina in Onomichi, guntû travels slowly westward towards Kaminoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture. In these quintessential Setouchi waters, you can enjoy a unique combination of the Inland Sea’s beautiful island chains, temples and shrines, and modern industry. For centuries before overland travel improved, travelers and merchants sailed along vital sea routes through Setouchi that carried products from Kyushu and across Asia to the capitals of Japan's emperors and shoguns. Glimpses of this old Setouchi can still be seen in the local culture passed down on Iwaishima, the prosperous merchant houses of Yanai, and the lifestyle of islanders on Kashima.

Departing from Onomichi, this route to savor the western Inland Sea navigates through numerous “seto,” the narrow straits between Honshu and Shikoku that gave the sea its name. Delight in encounters with spiritual traditions and history that reveal islands’ religious roots and local lifestyles amid vistas of Setouchi's island-rich waters.

The Geiyo Islands around the Shimanami Kaido bridge network are famed for some of the world’s fastest currents, a result of the complex topography of the closely clustered archipelago. In times when shipbuilding and maneuvering technology was far less advanced, seafarers knew this island chain as a daunting obstacle that was exceptionally difficult to navigate. They relied on the Murakami Suigun for their expert knowledge of the tides and skills as ship pilots. A powerful local group sometimes called pirates or a navy, the Murakami Suigun ensured safe passage, maintained order, and facilitated trade through these waters. On this route, guntû sails between islands these legendary sailors called home.

From Onomichi, this route traces a wide path westward to Omishima in Ehime Prefecture, and eastward to the Shiwaku Islands in Kagawa Prefecture. On the first day, enjoy vistas of the intricate landscape of the Geiyo Islands, before emerging into wide-open waters off the coast of Kagawa on day two. Off-ship activities will carry you to stunning Setouchi scenery formed by the distinctive natural setting of the Seto Inland Sea.

Beginning from our home port in Onomichi, this leisurely four-day voyage to enjoy eastern Setouchi extends as far as Shodoshima. Various goods once flowed along vital trade networks through the Seto Inland Sea, giving rise to many industries. After passing through the Onomichi Strait on the first day, guntû sails to an anchorage off Kitagishima, an island of stone quarries. The following day, the route travels beneath the road and rail crossing of the Great Seto Bridge, and slowly explores the waters off the coast of Bizen and around Shodoshima , known for products made in its mild climate. Discover this seaborne trade route through encounters with island history and traditional industries.

Beginning in 1985, the island of Naoshima has been reimagined as a cultural village where visitors can reflect on the human world in spaces where nature, history, and contemporary art intersect. The transformation of Naoshima led many islands and locales in the eastern Setouchi region to welcome and support artists from across Japan and overseas, with more than ten significant art islands today. This route will visit Naoshima and Teshima, two of the islands emblematic of the Inland Sea’s art culture, as well as other islands such as Shodoshima, Megijima, and Ogijima. Over two days, we will explore the best art sites of the season for a fulfilling artistic experience of Setouchi.

This route introduces traditional Setouchi culture and technology passed down over generations. After departing Bella Vista Marina, guntû passes beneath the Great Seto Bridge en route to an anchorage off the coast of Tamano. On the second day, experience some of the region’s treasured crafts, from bonsai cultivation in Takamatsu, Bizen pottery, and decorative temari balls. From there, sail westward into the slowly setting sun before anchoring on the final night in Takuma Bay. We will take you to experiences of local cultural traditions best for the time of year and conditions.

This three-day voyage sails through the bold scenery to the east of Onomichi. En route to an anchorage off the coast of Tamano in Okayama Prefecture on the first night, guntû passes by the Mizushima Industrial Complex and beneath the impressive silhouette of the Great Seto Bridge, a marvel of modern engineering. Guests may enjoy a close-up view of inherited traditional landscapes and industry producing soy sauce, noodles, and olive oil on Shodoshima, the rich culture of the more than 100 islands of the Bisan group, and the beautiful seascapes of the Shiwaku Islands, a hub of maritime networks for centuries. As guntû navigates through these storied waters, ponder the lives and work of past generations.