Miyajima has been known as an island of the gods since ancient times. Farming was forbidden on its sacred shores, so islanders obtained almost all of their produce from outside the island. A folk practice known as “Tanomo-san” began as a way for the people of Miyajima to express their gratitude for this sustenance and to pray for a bountiful harvest. On this route, we will introduce the story of Tanomo-san, a custom born of Setouchi’s history and treasured through the ages.

This route offers a serene and charming voyage to enjoy fireworks at the start of summer. Guests can relax in their favorite places on board and enjoy the spectacle of fireworks bursting across the night sky above the enchanting silhouettes of islands on the sea after sunset. A unique highlight of this route is an up-close view of kaidenma boat races, during a local festival that passes down the tradition of the fast rowboats used by pirates in these waters centuries ago.

This route is an opportunity to take in some of the best fireworks in Setouchi from the deck of guntû. The ship drifts west and east across the Seto Inland Sea, showcasing the beauty of the many islands of the Kutsuna and Geiyo Islands and the open waters of Hiuchi Sea on a single voyage. Savor the summer atmosphere as you enjoy your fill of fireworks from a special vantage point out to sea. Visit a Iyo Komon fabric dyer or try your hand at traditional Shikoku crafts of making Marugame uchiwa fans - essential items for staying cool on warm evenings.

On this route, guests can appreciate fireworks over the wide-open waters of Setouchi from the cool comfort and peaceful distance of the ship. Amid the soft night breeze, enjoy the fireworks grand finale of a festival dating back more than 450 years. Off-ship activities include traditional cultural experiences on Shikoku, as well as a visit to the Ichiya-an, the last abode of the 16th century haiku poet Yamazaki Sokan. Soak in the festive summer excitement and enthusiasm as it dissipates into the night sky.

This journey offers an exceptional experience of guntû’s “Setouchi roaming” style of travel. After passing through the Onomichi Channel and cruising the narrow waterways and dramatic island-dotted seascape of the Geiyo Islands, guntû anchors overnight in the calm shelter of an island bay. After the second day, the voyage continues into the open waters of Hiuchinada, then heads east through the ever-shifting and picturesque scenery around the Shiwaku Islands and the Great Seto Bridge. From the comfort of the ship, savor the essence of Setouchi in winter and spring. Each place and moment reveal distinct impressions as you drift across the Inland Sea. Enjoy a quintessential guntû experience of an unhurried four-day journey that captures the true pleasure of traveling where the wind takes you.

The real pleasure of “Setouchi roaming,” guntû’s style of travel, is revealed during leisurely hours spent on board. As the ship gently weaves between islands, pass the hours at your own pace as you watch scenery that is always subtly shifting. Centered on our home port of Onomichi, this route circles widely across the sea, as far as Omishima in the west and the Shonai Peninsula in the east. The voyage carries you through seascapes that change with the season and weather, promising encounters with scenery unique to each day and moment. Enjoy guntû’s spirit and heartfelt hospitality on an unforgettable journey.

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 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.

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.

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.