AWAJI ISLAND

After making your way to Nishi-Akashi, easily accessible by Shinkansen, we'll gather for a welcome dinner to toast the adventure ahead. This is your chance to meet the crew and get hyped for the next few days of island exploration. If you arrive early you’ll have time to wander the historical castle town and ruins built by the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi (the only town in Japan he actually designed), or dive straight into Japanese whisky culture with a tour of White Oak Distillery to see how they're making our favourite whiskey in Japan.

Included: Dinner, Accommodation

We'll make our way onto Awaji Island by crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, a marvel of engineering and one of the world's longest suspension bridges, then pull off to take in the dramatic views of the Seto Inland Sea sprawling below. Your first taste of island food comes in burger form, each one crowned with half of Awaji's famously sweet onions that are the island’s claim to fame. Then it's time to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with the island's ancient salt-making tradition, learning techniques that haven't changed in centuries. As we cruise down the west coast, we'll stop at Izanagi Shrine where Japan's creator god is enshrined (and where cosmic solar alignments still baffle researchers), then scramble through the sea caves at windswept Myojin Cape — locals say going through this anatomically suggestive rock structure grants spiritual rebirth, so no pressure. The day winds down at an onsen hotel where you can soak in your private natural hot spring and tuck in to a multi-course kaiseki feast showcasing the island's best seafood and beef.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Salt Making experience, Dinner, Accommodation

After checking out, we head to the island's southern tip for one of Awaji's quirkiest attractions: an onion-themed rest stop perched high above the coast with sweeping views across to Shikoku on the opposite shore. From there we drop down to Fukura, one of Awaji's main fishing ports, where you'll hand-stretch your own somen noodles for lunch with a local chef whose family has been making them for over a century. Before settling in for the night, we'll catch a traditional puppet theater performance, a centuries-old art form that traces its origins back to Awaji's creation myths. Cap off the day soaking in our hotel's rooftop onsen, watching the sun set over the water while mentally preparing for a dinner spread showcasing the south coast's seafood specialties.

Included: Breakfast, Cooking class with lunch, Joruri puppet show, Dinner, Accommodation

The final day kicks off with a boat trip into the Naruto Strait to witness the raw power of the Naruto whirlpools, massive churning vortexes that don't exist anywhere else in Japan and likely inspired the ancient creation myths themselves (and an anime series). From there we start our journey back up the island's quieter east coast, stopping first at Sumoto Castle perched on its hilltop for panoramic views. We’ll continue north, collecting stamps at michi no eki as we go, before stopping at Honpuku Temple, a stunning sunken meditation hall designed by star architect Tadao Ando. Our last stop will be to meet with a local ceramicist and see how Awaji's artisanal craft traditions are still very much alive. Finally, we cross back over the bridge to the mainland, arriving at Nishi Akashi station by late afternoon with saltwater still in your hair and your heart (and belly) full.

Included: Breakfast, Naruto Whirlpools cruise, Lunch, Honpukuji entrance

Nishi-Akashi Station is easily accessible by Shinkansen:

Osaka: 20 minutes

Kyoto: 30 minutes

Tokyo: roughly 3 hours