The meeting place is in front of the entrance of Hiroshima Station General Information Center at 9:25 in the morning. Take the express bus “Kaguyahime-go” from JR Hiroshima Station to Takehara Michino-eki (Roadside Station) (About 60 min.).Walk to Takehara Historical District (About 5 min.)

Learn how to produce Takehara’s salt at the old Kasai family house. 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.

Lunch at Saryo ICHIE, having “Aji-iroiro Masuya” made Shokado-style bento and taste 3 kinds of local sake. 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.

Ikebana flower arrangement at Saihoji Temple. 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.

Explore the Takehara Historical District. 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.

Local train from JR Takehara Station to JR Mihara Station. 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.

Daruma doll face painting (optional) or visit Mihara castle ruins near JR Mihara Station.