• Sanyo / Sanin Course
    (Round tour)

    A journey through the traditional landscapes of west Japan

    For departures until February 2026

  • Setouchi/Sanin Course

    A trip following the history
    and traces of tradition

    For departures starting in March 2026

A journey through the traditional landscapes of west Japan

Itinerary
Two nights & three days, Round tour.
Departure station
Kyoto Station
Final station
Kyoto Station
Route
Via Sanyo Line and Sanin Line

Sanyo / Sanin Course (Round tour)

Sanyo / Sanin Course (Round tour)

  • Sightseeing Places
  • View Spots
  • TWILIGHT EXPRESS MIZUKAZE Route
  • Departure / Final Stations
Sanyo / Sanin Course(Round tour)
  • SPOT
    Wake
    LOCATION
    Between Yoshinaga Station and Wake Station
    POINT
    Wake, Okayama Prefecture, is blessed with an abundance of nature. The sweeping views of the idyllic Japanese countryside from the train windows will soothe your mind.
  • AREA
    Kurashiki* Departures on August 2nd and August 23rd, 2023
    POINT
    Kurashiki is a retro-modern city with Japanese and Western influences.
    Visit Yurinso, a villa not normally open to the public,
    SPOT
    Visit to Yurinso, built as a residence for the noted Ohara family of Kurashiki.
    This villa is not normally open to the public.
    Stroll around Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (a beautiful sight area).

  • SPOT
    Onomichi Channel (Setonaikai National Park)
    LOCATION
    Between Higashi-Onomichi Station and Itozaki Station
    POINT
    The channel separates central Onomichi and Mukai-shima Island. Many movies and TV dramas have been set in this stunning location, which features sights including the Onomichi Bridge straddling the channel, shipyards on Mukai-shima Island and ferries traveling back and forth.
    AREA
    Unnan / Matsue
    POINT
    A visit to Unnan, the site of the historic Japanese ironmaking method of Tatara and the legend of Yamata-no-Orochi (Eight-Forked Serpent), and a visit to Matsue, where tea culture continues to flourish.
    SPOT
    Visit to Sugaya Tatara Sannai, the area with Japan's only Tatara ironmaking furnace.
    Visit to the Residence and old Japanese storehouses of Tanabe family who were considered Japan's leading "kings of mountains and forests".
    Izumo Kagura performance
    Visit to Meimei-an, a teahouse built in the Edo period (1603-1868) and enjoy green tea service.
    Lunch : Regional cuisine at a thatched house "Shoku no Mori Muroyama Noen Kayabuki no Ie"

    AREA
    Tottori / Higashihama
    POINT
    We will visit the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum, which displays genuine folk crafts collected by Shoya Yoshida, the father of Tottori folk crafts. We will also visit the former Yoshida Clinic, which is not normally open to the public.
    At the Tottori Sand Dunes, which were created by nature, you can enjoy the natural beauty of patterns created by the wind. At The Sand Museum, you can see beautiful sand sculptures made by artists from around the world.
    Higashihama Beach in Iwami, Tottori Prefecture, looking over the Sea of Japan, is filled with natural beauty and surrounded by majestic mountains. Here you can enjoy trying your hand at the traditional beach-cast net fishing method of jibiki-ami.
    SPOT
    Visit to the former Yoshida Clinic and the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum (December to April)
    Stroll on the Tottori Sand Dunes, and visit to The Sand Museum (May, June, October, November)
    Traditional jibiki-ami beach-cast fishing experience (April to September)
    Lunch: Enjoy dishes made using unique ingredients from along the route at the restaurant AL MARE.
    *The jibiki-ami fishing is the experience only. Please note that due to cooking time constraints, the fish you catch will not be able to be prepared for your lunch.
    *If the jibiki-ami fishing is cancelled due to weather or other reasons, it will be replaced by a visit to The Sand Museum and a stroll on the Tottori Sand Dunes.

  • SPOT
    Amarube Viaduct
    LOCATION
    Between Yoroi Station and Amarube Station
    POINT
    This approximately 40-meter-high bridge in Kami-cho, Hyogo Prefecture, is an outstanding spot from which to view the vast Sea of Japan and the beautiful mountain ranges.

  • SPOT
    Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (Setonaikai National Park)
    LOCATION
    Between Tarumi Station and Maiko Station
    POINT
    The world’s longest suspension bridge with a span of 3,911 m. It connects Kobe City and Awaji Island. The contrast between the colossal bridge, the sea and the sky and the greenery of the island is a stunning sight seen nowhere else.
  • SPOT
    Wake
    LOCATION
    Between Yoshinaga Station and Wake Station
    POINT
    Wake, Okayama Prefecture, is blessed with an abundance of nature. The sweeping views of the idyllic Japanese countryside from the train windows will soothe your mind.
  • AREA
    Okayama
    POINT
    Visit to Okayama Korakuen, a garden which retains views from the Edo period (1603-1868) and constructed by Ikeda Tsunamasa, the 2nd generation lord of the Okayama domain.
    SPOT
    Special viewing of Enyotei, a building from which you can see the scenery inside and outside the garden.
    Viewing of the Noh stage
    Stroll around Okayama Korakuen

  • SPOT
    Onomichi Channel (Setonaikai National Park)
    LOCATION
    Between Higashi-Onomichi Station and Itozaki Station
    POINT
    The channel separates central Onomichi and Mukai-shima Island. Many movies and TV dramas have been set in this stunning location, which features sights including the Onomichi Bridge straddling the channel, shipyards on Mukai-shima Island and ferries traveling back and forth.
  • SPOT
    Sunset over Lake Shinji
    POINT
    Lake Shinji has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 sunset spots. The color of the lake surface changes throughout the day, and is at its most breathtakingly beautiful in the evening, when tinged deep red by the setting sun.
    AREA
    Unnan / Matsue
    POINT
    A visit to Unnan, the site of the historic Japanese ironmaking method of Tatara and the legend of Yamata-no-Orochi (Eight-Forked Serpent), and a visit to Matsue, where tea culture continues to flourish.
    SPOT
    Visit to Sugaya Tatara Sannai, the area with Japan's only Tatara ironmaking furnace.
    Visit to the Residence and old Japanese storehouses of Tanabe family who were considered Japan's leading "kings of mountains and forests".
    Izumo Kagura performance
    Visit to Meimei-an, a teahouse built in the Edo period (1603-1868) and enjoy green tea service.
    Lunch : Regional cuisine at a thatched house "Shoku no Mori Muroyama Noen Kayabuki no Ie"

    AREA
    Tottori / Higashihama
    POINT
    We will visit the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum, which displays genuine folk crafts collected by Shoya Yoshida, the father of Tottori folk crafts. We will also visit the former Yoshida Clinic, which is not normally open to the public.
    At the Tottori Sand Dunes, which were created by nature, you can enjoy the natural beauty of patterns created by the wind. At The Sand Museum, you can see beautiful sand sculptures made by artists from around the world.
    Higashihama Beach in Iwami, Tottori Prefecture, looking over the Sea of Japan, is filled with natural beauty and surrounded by majestic mountains. Here you can enjoy trying your hand at the traditional beach-cast net fishing method of jibiki-ami.
    SPOT
    Visit to the former Yoshida Clinic and the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum (December to April)
    Stroll on the Tottori Sand Dunes, and visit to The Sand Museum (May, June, October, November)
    Traditional jibiki-ami beach-cast fishing experience (April to September)
    Lunch: Enjoy dishes made using unique ingredients from along the route at the restaurant AL MARE.
    *The jibiki-ami fishing is the experience only. Please note that due to cooking time constraints, the fish you catch will not be able to be prepared for your lunch.
    *If the jibiki-ami fishing is cancelled due to weather or other reasons, it will be replaced by a visit to The Sand Museum and a stroll on the Tottori Sand Dunes.

  • SPOT
    Amarube Viaduct
    LOCATION
    Between Yoroi Station and Amarube Station
    POINT
    This approximately 40-meter-high bridge in Kami-cho, Hyogo Prefecture, is an outstanding spot from which to view the vast Sea of Japan and the beautiful mountain ranges.

MIZUKAZE bus

The exclusive MIZUKAZE bus takes guests to and from the sightseeing places. The design was supervised by Kazuya URA, the same designer who oversaw the design of the train. The exterior is MIZUKAZE green, with gold emblem lines. The interior has the same carpet design as the train, and green seats to give it a relaxing atmosphere. The bus is pleasant to ride, and it takes you to sightseeing places full of appeal.

*On the Sanin Course (Shimonoseki-bound), the Sanyo Course (Shimonoseki-bound), and the Lake Biwa Loop / Setouchi Course (Shimonoseki-bound), guests transfer from the destination Shimonoseki Station to Kokura Station by the MIZUKAZE bus. (Bus company: Chugoku JR Bus)