Sightseeing Places

Exclusive MIZUKAZE guest-only experiences along the route.

The journey on TWILIGHT EXPRESS MIZUKAZE includes one sightseeing stop per day, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history, culture and spectacular scenery along the route. In addition to trips to popular sightseeing spots, we have prepared exclusive experiences, which include visits to little-known idyllic locations, tours of facilities not normally open to the public, and viewing of artistic masterpieces not on general display.

  • All
  • Sanin Area
  • Sanyo Area
    AREA
    Kasumi【January to February / October to December】
    COURSE
    Sanin Course (Shimonoseki-bound)
    POINT
    Daijo-ji Temple has 165 works (Important Cultural Properties) by the legendary Kyoto painting master Maruyama Okyo and his apprentices. You can experience the space of a three-dimensional mandala, created by sliding doors with pictures which have been carefully designed. You can also enter the Oukyoreihouko, which is not normally open to the public, and view sliding doors with drawings by Okyo himself.
    SPOT
    Visit to Daijo-ji Temple
    …with commentary from the deputy chief priest
    Viewing of the Oukyoreihouko

    AREA
    Kinosaki Onsen【March to September】
    COURSE
    Sanin Course (Shimonoseki-bound)
    POINT
    Kinosaki Onsen is a famous hot spring resort with a history of around 1,300 years. It was established by Dochi Shonin. You will visit the Yakushi-an Hall of the ancient Onsen-ji Temple, which has stood in the town throughout its history. After a lecture, you can enjoy free time by taking a relaxing stroll around the town where new and old charms co-exist.
    SPOT
    Onsen-ji Temple (Yakushi-an Hall)
    … with lecture from the head priest
    Free stroll around Kinosaki Onsen town

    AREA
    Tottori / Higashihama
    COURSE
    Sanin Course (Kyoto-bound)Sanyo / Sanin Course(Round tour)
    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.
    SPOT
    Stroll on Tottori Sand Dunes, and visit to The Sand Museum (May to November)
    Visit to The Sand Museum – with commentary about the exhibits from a guide
    Visit to the former Yoshida Clinic and the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum (December to April)
    Former Yoshida Clinic – A building designed by the doctor Shoya Yoshida, who is known as the father of Tottori folk crafts.
    Tottori Folk Crafts Museum – Commentary about the exhibits from the curator
    Breakfast : Enjoy dishes made using unique ingredients from along the route at the restaurant AL MARE.

    AREA
    Unnan / Matsue
    COURSE
    Sanyo / Sanin Course(Round tour)
    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
    Oda【From September 2024】
    COURSE
    Sanin Course (Kyoto-bound)
    POINT
    Omori was a mining town that flourished as the administrative and commercial heart of the Iwami Silver Mine during the Edo period. Home to many historical buildings, such as samurai mansions and magistrates’ offices left from that period, we will visit the Kumagai House (an Important Cultural Property), home to one of the most powerful merchant families of the time, and enjoy strolling along the old streets of Omori.
    SPOT
    Stroll the old streets of Omori
    Visit the Kumagai House

    AREA
    Hagi
    COURSE
    Sanin Course (Shimonoseki-bound)
    POINT
    Hagi, guardian and heir of history and tradition.
    We visit places associated with Yoshida Shoin, the spiritual support behind the Meiji Restoration.
    SPOT
    Visit to Shoin Shrine / Shoka Sonjuku (World Heritage Site). Lecture and commentary by the Shinto priest.
    * Shinto ("the way of God") is the indigenous faith of Japanese people.
    Breakfast : Enjoy dishes made using unique ingredients from along the route at Koufuku no Chisouya Umenoha.

  • AREA
    Okayama
    COURSE
    Sanyo / Sanin Course(Round tour)
    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

  • AREA
    Kurashiki
    COURSE
    Sanyo Course (Shimonoseki-bound)
    POINT
    Enjoy some free time to stroll the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Wander roads made elegant by white-walled houses and other traditional buildings, pass down stone-flagged streets and avenues of willows along the riverbanks.
    SPOT
    Stroll around Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (a beautiful sight area).
    *The Ohara Museum of Art can also be visited.
    Visit to Yurinso, built as a residence for the noted Ohara family of Kurashiki.
    This villa is not normally open to the public.
    *Note that due to repair work, some areas may not be accessible.

  • AREA
    Onomichi
    COURSE
    Sanyo Course (Kyoto-bound)
    POINT
    Hirayama Ikuo made numerous journeys across the Silk Road in search of the origins of Japanese culture. You can learn about his life and episodes related to the creation of his famous works, while also viewing his art.
    SPOT
    Visit to Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art

  • AREA
    Iwakuni
    COURSE
    Sanyo Course (Shimonoseki-bound)
    POINT
    Iwakuni flourished as a castle town of the Kikkawa clan.
    Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Sengoku period (late 15th century - late 16th century) with a visit to Kikkawa Historical Museum, which houses a collection of materials from that era, and viewing of a matchlock firearms performance.
    SPOT
    Visit to Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's Three Famous Bridges.
    Visit to Kikkawa Historical Museum, a museum about the Kikkawa clan, the old feudal lords of Iwakuni.
    Viewing of Iwakuni Clan firearms performance

  • AREA
    Hofu
    COURSE
    Sanyo Course (Kyoto-bound)
    POINT
    The Mohri Museum displays artworks, handicrafts, and historical materials passed down in the Mori clan, lords of Choshu Domain. Here, you will be able to view the “Moral Principles for My Three Sons” that Mori Motonari sent to his three sons. You will also be able to enjoy strolling through the Mori Garden, where you can admire the scenery of each season and the “borrowed landscape” of the picturesque Inland Sea.
    SPOT
    Stroll through the Mori Garden
    Visit the Mohri Museum