SIMOSE – Iwakuni
To the Setouchi coast — to two architectural masterpieces separated by three centuries.
- Duration: 7 hours (start at 10:00)
- Price: On request
- Departure: Departure and return to the hotel in Hiroshima
Overview
The Seto Inland Sea of Japan has long served as an important maritime route. Stone, timber, people, and even faith have crossed these tranquil waters, shaping the culture of the coast. On its shores, two architectural stories, separated by more than three centuries, each answer the same question in their own way: how can one create beauty in harmony with nature?
The day begins with a journey west from Hiroshima to the Nishiki River. Here stands the Kintaikyo Bridge—one of Japan’s three most famous bridges. Built in 1673, it consists of five graceful wooden arches, designed in response to the power of the river’s current. Its intricate construction, without metal nails, became a masterpiece of Japanese engineering, and the bridge itself has been carefully restored to its original appearance over the centuries.
Above the river, atop a mountain, stands Iwakuni Castle. Climbing up, you will see a panorama of the Nishiki River, the old town, and distant mountains. At the foot of the castle, quiet streets and traces of samurai residences remain, where you can feel the atmosphere of a former feudal town.
The journey continues to the Setouchi coast, towards Otake. Here you will find the Shimose Art Museum, which opened in 2023. Designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Shigeru Ban, the museum is renowned for its mobile exhibition halls made of colored glass, seemingly floating above the mirror-like water. In the Prix Versailles 2024, it was recognized as one of the most beautiful museums in the world. The architecture, reflecting the sky, water, and silhouettes of the Setouchi islands, becomes part of the artistic experience itself.
Wood and stone, glass and water. Different materials, different eras, but a single idea: not to subdue nature, but to listen to it and create together with it. This journey reveals the rare continuity of Japanese architectural thought—from the engineering mastery of the Edo period to the contemporary museum architecture of the 21st century.
Route: hotel in Hiroshima → Kintaikyo Bridge → Iwakuni Castle and samurai quarters → lunch → Shimose Art Museum → hotel in Hiroshima
Key Features
- Shimose Art Museum — Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban. Eight movable exhibition halls float above a reflecting pool overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. Recognized as one of the most beautiful museums in the world at the Prix Versailles 2024.
- Lunch — Enjoy lunch at the restaurant while admiring the Seto Inland Sea and its scattered islands. Savor dishes made from the seasonal bounty of the Setouchi region in a unique setting where architecture harmoniously blends with nature.
- Kintai Bridge — The wooden bridge, built in 1673 by the third lord of Iwakuni. It is one of Japan’s three most famous bridges and has spanned the Nishiki River for over three centuries, distinguished by its complex construction without the use of nails.
- Iwakuni Castle — In 1608, the first lord, Hiroie Kikkawa, built a castle on Mount Shiroyama at an altitude of about 200 meters. From the observation deck, there are breathtaking views of the bridge, the castle town, and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
- Samurai Residences — Beyond the bridge lies the former estate of the Kikkawa family. In the castle town area, you will find buildings such as the Mekata residence, offering a glimpse into the daily life of samurai families during the Edo period.
- Villa (optional) — Simose Art Garden Villa is located beside the museum. Each of the ten villas, designed by Shigeru Ban, features a distinct architectural concept, creating a special stay where privacy, design, and nature come together.
Continue with VIP ACCESS
The day-by-day itinerary, the timetable and the names of the shops and workshops we visit are available to VIP ACCESS members.