📍 Japan

SAN'IN SECRET COAST: DUNES, SHRINES AND MEMORY'S WATERS

Dunes rolling toward gray seas, shimenawa ropes protecting founding myths, willow-lined canals reflecting white warehouses. San'in, secret Japan.

≈ 15
Days
0
Km
15
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Walk the Tottori dunes facing the sea, then reach Izumo and its shrine linked to marriage. Stroll along Kurashiki's canals, explore Matsue and its samurai shadows, then let Hiroshima impose its silence. This western arc reveals a more discreet Japan, made of rituals, calm waters and history-laden cities.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Tottori

coastal dunes ripple toward grey horizon

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4 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Tottori Sand Dunes, largest in Japan stretching 16km east-west and 2.4km north-south
2
Tottori Sand Museum, world's first museum dedicated to sand sculptures
🎯

Activities

→
Experience designated National Natural Monument and Special Protection Zone
→
View sand sculptures by world-class artists with annually changing themes
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Enjoy various activities on the dunes
+1 Optional activities
2
Day

Kurayoshi

white-walled storehouses line quiet canals

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4 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Kurayoshi White-Walled Warehouse District, Important Traditional Buildings Preservation Area
2
Kanayama Shrine, Japan's only shrine with auspicious name for fortune
🎯

Activities

→
View red-tiled roofs, white walls, and sun-blackened cedar boards along Tamagawa River
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Explore historic merchant houses from Edo to Taisho periods
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Pray for financial fortune and business prosperity at Kanayama Shrine
+1 Optional activities
3
Day

Yasugi

adachi garden rakes perfection into gravel

Yasugi - Photo 1Yasugi - Photo 2Yasugi - Photo 3Yasugi - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Adachi Museum of Art with collection of 2,000 Japanese paintings
2
Garden ranked as Japan's most beautiful for 21 consecutive years
🎯

Activities

→
View 120 works by Yokoyama Taikan in the Taikan Gallery
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Admire collections by Takeuchi Seiho, Uemura Shoen, and other masters
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Experience seamless integration of garden and artwork
+1 Optional activities
4
Day

Sakaiminato

yokai bronze statues haunt fishing port streets

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3 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Mizuki Shigeru Road with 177 yokai bronze statues
2
Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum
🎯

Activities

→
Walk 800m road from Sakaiminato Station to museum
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Meet Kitaro, Medama Oyaji, Nezumi Otoko and other manga characters
→
Explore yokai-themed attractions day and night
+1 Optional activities
5
Day

Matsue

castle moat reflects samurai twilight calm

Matsue - Photo 1Matsue - Photo 2Matsue - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Matsue Castle, National Treasure designated in 2015
2
Hinomisaki Lighthouse, tallest stone lighthouse in Japan at 43m
🎯

Activities

→
Explore 400-year-old castle built by Horio Yoshiharu
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View from Tengu no Ma observatory with 360-degree panorama
→
Visit lighthouse selected among World's 100 Lighthouses and Japan's 50 Lighthouses
+1 Optional activities
6
Day

Izumo

shimenawa ropes guard origin shrine mysteries

Izumo - Photo 1Izumo - Photo 2Izumo - Photo 3Izumo - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, one of Japan's most important ancient shrines
2
Giant shimenawa rope 13m long weighing 5.2 tons
🎯

Activities

→
Pray to Okuninushi-no-Okami, god of marriage and good fortune
→
Experience sacred shrine where gods from across Japan gather
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View shrine mentioned in Kojiki (712 AD), Japan's oldest historical record
+1 Optional activities
7
Day

Hamada

fishing harbor faces wild sea winds

Hamada - Photo 1Hamada - Photo 2Hamada - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Shimane Aquarium Aquas, largest in Chugoku-Shikoku region
2
Only aquarium in western Japan with beluga whales
🎯

Activities

→
Watch beluga whale performances and Bubble Ring shows
→
See Happy Magic Ring and Miracle Ring performances
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View 400 species and 10,000 marine creatures
+1 Optional activities
8
Day

Okayama

korakuen garden blooms beside black castle

Okayama - Photo 1Okayama - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens retaining Edo-era appearance
2
Kibitsu Shrine with unique Kibitsu-zukuri architectural style
3
Views of Seto Ohashi Bridge from Yoshima Parking Area
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll through daimyo garden completed in 1700 by Lord Ikeda Tsunamasa
→
Visit shrine associated with Momotaro legend, twice the size of Izumo Taisha
→
See world's largest combined road-rail bridge spanning 9.4km
+1 Optional activities
9
Day

Kurashiki

willows weep over white-walled warehouse reflections

Kurashiki - Photo 1Kurashiki - Photo 2Kurashiki - Photo 3Kurashiki - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter with white-walled warehouses
2
Ohara Museum of Art, Japan's first private Western art museum
3
Kurashiki Ivy Square converted from Meiji-era factory
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll along willow-lined Kurashiki River with traditional buildings
→
Experience retro-modern atmosphere popular with tourists
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Explore charming shops in renovated historic warehouses
+1 Optional activities
10
Day

Takahashi

mountain castle floats above morning clouds

Takahashi - Photo 1Takahashi - Photo 2Takahashi - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, only remaining original mountain castle in Japan
2
Castle floating in sea of clouds at 480m elevation
🎯

Activities

→
Climb to Japan's highest existing castle tower
→
View siege preparation rooms and great hall with irori hearth
→
Experience the mystical floating castle phenomenon
+1 Optional activities
11
Day

Hiroshima

paper cranes gather beside eternal peace flame

Hiroshima - Photo 1Hiroshima - Photo 2Hiroshima - Photo 3Hiroshima - Photo 4Hiroshima - Photo 5Hiroshima - Photo 6Hiroshima - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Atomic Bomb Dome, UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving 1945 bombing
2
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum documenting atomic bomb devastation
3
Hiroshima Castle built by Mori Terumoto in 1589
🎯

Activities

→
Visit Peace Memorial Park and ring the Peace Bell
→
Learn history at museum with victim belongings and photographs
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See Japanese swords and armor in castle museum exhibition
+2 Optional activities
12
Day

Miyajima

torii gate stands sentinel in tidal shallows

Miyajima - Photo 1Miyajima - Photo 2Miyajima - Photo 3Miyajima - Photo 4Miyajima - Photo 5Miyajima - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Itsukushima Shrine, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996
2
Great Torii gate standing in the sea, restored in 2022
🎯

Activities

→
View shrine buildings designated as National Treasures
→
See vermillion torii gate after Reiwa restoration
→
Experience the sacred island called Island of the Gods
+1 Optional activities
13
Day

Iwakuni

wooden bridge arches span clear river beauty

Iwakuni - Photo 1Iwakuni - Photo 2Iwakuni - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Tomonoura historic port mentioned in Manyoshu poetry collection
2
Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's Three Famous Bridges
🎯

Activities

→
Explore port used as Hollywood film and anime location
→
See Sensuijima and Bentenjima islands in peaceful Seto Inland Sea
→
Cross 193.3m five-arch wooden bridge with unique construction
+1 Optional activities
14
Day

Yamaguchi

temple pagoda rises above western hills quietly

Yamaguchi - Photo 1Yamaguchi - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Rurikoji Temple Five-Story Pagoda, National Treasure and one of Japan's Three Famous Pagodas
2
Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau, largest in Japan formed 300 million years ago
🎯

Activities

→
View 31.2m pagoda completed in 1442 with cypress bark roof
→
Experience vast grassland with white limestone rocks
→
Learn about coral reef transformation into karst landscape
+1 Optional activities
15
Day

Nagato

seaside shrine perches on cliff edge serenely

Nagato - Photo 1Nagato - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Motonosumi Shrine with 123 vermillion torii gates overlooking the sea
2
Tsunoshima Bridge, 1,780m connecting to isolated island
🎯

Activities

→
Throw offering into 6m high torii gate for wishes to come true
→
View breathtaking scenery of torii gates against cobalt blue sea
→
Drive photogenic bridge only 18m above sea surface
+2 Optional activities

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🛡️ Travel advice - Japan

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (March-May): Cherry blossom season, perfect weather, mild temperatures, iconic sakura viewing, peak tourist season, advance booking essential, magical atmosphere.

Fall (September-November): Autumn colors, comfortable weather, clear skies, beautiful foliage, excellent touring, fewer crowds, ideal photography, pleasant conditions.

Summer (June-August): Hot humid weather, rainy season, festival season, vibrant atmosphere, mountain hiking, beach activities, air conditioning essential.

Winter (December-February): Cold weather, snow sports, illuminations, onsen season, fewer crowds, winter festivals, cozy atmosphere, skiing opportunities.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 12 and 18 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Japan?

Unique culture with ancient traditions, modern innovation, and incredible attention to detail. Experience temples, technology, and authentic Japanese lifestyle. The country offers cultural immersion with natural beauty and culinary excellence. Japan provides transformative cultural experiences with historical depth and modern sophistication.