Looking for unique places to visit in Japan for nature?

Known as Japan’s “Lemon Island,” Setoda is a small, charming town on the island of Ikuchijima off of Hiroshima. It’s a refreshing escape from Japan’s crowded cities, with citrus-scented breezes, seaside cycling paths, lemon groves, mom-and-pop cafes, coastal hiking, and plenty of ryokans.

It’s best known for being along the Shimanami Kaido, a 70-kilometer cycling route in Japan that connects the Honshu and Shikoku islands in the Seto Inland Sea. 

I spent a super relaxing 3 weeks exploring Setoda and a couple of the surrounding islands, and it brought me back to the orange groves and orchards I’ve driven through on vanlife trips in southern California. If you’re not going to Japan specifically to cycle, Setoda is still an awesome spot to add to your Japan itinerary if you’re:

• Visiting Hiroshima and want a relaxing few days
• A cycling or outdoor enthusiast (you can rent e bikes as well, so you don’t need to be a “real” cyclist!)
• A lemon lover (lemon beer, lemon curry, lemon ramen, you name it!)
• Visiting in spring or autumn, when the temperatures are perfect that there are clear, blue skies! If you visit in spring, you’ll also see cherry blossoms mixed in with the citrus blooms!

Unique places to visit in Japan for nature: Setoda travel guide

Where is Setoda, Japan, and how do you get there?

Setoda is on the small island of Ikuchijima in Hiroshima Prefecture. It thrives on its lemon and orange production and laid-back vibes, and is a great addition to your Japan itinerary, especially if you’re already visiting Hiroshima. 

You’ll just take a train from Hiroshima to Mihara (just over an hour), where you’ll walk 5 minutes to the Mihara port and catch the ~40 minute ferry to Setoda.

Where to stay in Setoda

I stayed at Azumi Setoda, a luxury ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn with gorgeous tatami and a relaxing onsen spa) that blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort. 

I absolutely love the calmingly simple, clean, and natural elements of traditional Japanese style, and this ryokan had it all. A gorgeous garden, floor to ceiling windows, tons of natural light, an onsen, traditional yukata to wear, locally-sourced ingredients in the on-site restaurant, and even local lemon beers in the room! 

The Azumi staff met us at the ferry port, took our luggage, and we walked just 5 minutes to the ryokan. They happily arranged bikes for us to rent during our stay and were fantastic about helping us find gluten free options on the island for someone in our group (which is no easy task in Japan, especially in smaller rural places!). 

Azumi is definitely a departure from my normal budget travel accommodation, but I was visiting with family and it was worth springing for somewhere nice for them to get the full ryokan experience!

Cycle through citrus groves and coastal pathways

Cycling is at the heart of the Setoda experience, and while I wouldn’t consider myself a cyclist (and we weren’t there to do the Shimanami Kaido this time) we had a great time biking leisurely through the islands while we were there.

When you’re cycling, the journey truly is the destination– we loved pedaling through the scenic views of the ocean, citrus groves, bridges, and palm tree lined bike paths. It’s amazing how the Japanese built up amenities and conveniences along this route specifically for cyclists (like cyclist rest stops and repair & emergency services!) and we made some unique stops as we made our way through the islands! Some of my favorites were:

• Cafe Indigo, a hipster camper van with great coffee and DELICIOUS, chewy coconut cookies
• Lemon Valley Terrace, a bright wooden lemonade stand set inside lemon groves with a few lemon drinks, including a lemon vodka cocktail. It has a great rooftop view of a huge suspension bridge over the sea!

Setoda is 100% suitable for beginner cyclists, and the paths are well-maintained and relatively flat. You can also rent electric bikes for an easier ride, which I did twice (no shame!). As you pedal along the coastline, you’ll have stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea, dotted with fishing boats and distant islands.

Fun things to do in Setoda if you’re not into cycling

If you’re not into cycling and aren’t staying in a ryokan, you can still have a great time in Setoda! 

• Walk the cycling paths
• Take out a paddle board or kayak
• Soak at one of Setoda’s public baths
• Visit Kosanji Temple, an extravagant temple complex with ornate structures and colorful pagodas
• Climb to the Miraishin no Oka, a hilltop marble garden with panoramic views of the surrounding islands
• Check out the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art, which is dedicated to the works of Hirayama Ikuo, a Japanese painter born in Setoda
• Catch a fiery sunset and fireworks at Sunset Beach

Eat specialty, local lemon-flavored cuisine!

Setoda takes its lemon branding seriously, and this extends to the cuisine. At local cafes and shops, you’ll find an array of citrus-inspired dishes, desserts, and drinks.

• Lemon pork dumplings at Minatoya Cafe
• Lemon cake & citrus sorbets at Dolce Setoda, a quaint dessert shop
• Lemon ramen (unfortunately we didn’t have a chance to try it, but will definitely prioritize it next time we’re in Setoda!)
• Craft sparkling lemon sodas (made with fresh local lemons) at Minatoya
• If someone in your group is gluten free, we found GF lemon cakes at Shiomachi-tei Bicycle Cafe + Bar

If you’re looking for unique places to visit in Japan for nature, don’t miss out on Setoda!

Comment below if you have any questions about Setoda or other interesting cities to go to in Japan. And if you’re looking for more Japan travel itineraries, ideas, and tips? Be sure to check out some of my most popular posts!

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