Tokyo → Okayama → Naoshima → Iya Valley → Matsuyama → Hiroshima → Tokyo

Tokyo → Okayama Distance: 650 km Driving time: ≈ 7 h 30 min A long but straightforward expressway drive west. Break the trip near Nagoya or Himeji Castle before reaching Okayama, known for Kōraku-en Garden—one of Japan’s three great landscape gardens—and the black-walled Okayama Castle beside it. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kibiji (Okayama) – 15 min from Kōraku-en Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, local crafts, no on-site showers Nearby onsen: Saidaiji Onsen (8 km) ⸻ Okayama → Naoshima Island Distance: 60 km + ferry Driving time: ≈ 2 h (including crossing) From Okayama drive to Uno Port (Takamatsu Ferry Terminal) and take the 20-minute ferry to Naoshima, the celebrated art island dotted with contemporary museums and outdoor installations. Visit Benesse House Museum, Chichu Art Museum (Monet & James Turrell), and wander between the Yayoi Kusama pumpkin sculptures by the shore. Overnight stop: Naoshima RV Park Tsutsujiso – near the southern beach Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, small kitchen, showers (06:00–22:00) Nearby onsen: Naoshima Bath “I ♥ Yu” (onsen-themed public bath with contemporary art interior) ⸻ Naoshima → Iya Valley (Shikoku) Distance: 150 km + ferry Driving time: ≈ 4 h (total) Return by ferry to the mainland, cross the Seto Ohashi Bridge into Shikoku, and drive into the Iya Valley, a deep gorge famous for vine bridges and remote hamlets. Stop at the Kazurabashi Bridge, Biwa Waterfall, and viewpoints overlooking the turquoise Iya River. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Oboke – beside the Yoshino River Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, souvenir shop, coin showers, rafting centre next door Nearby onsen: Iya Onsen (9 km) – outdoor baths reached by cable car to the riverbank ⸻ Iya Valley → Matsuyama Distance: 180 km Driving time: ≈ 4 h 30 min The road twists through the interior of Shikoku before reaching the coast at Matsuyama, capital of Ehime Prefecture. Visit Matsuyama Castle, Dōgo Onsen (Japan’s oldest hot spring), and the narrow lanes of the old spa district. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Fuwari Kamiyama – on the coastal highway south of the city Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, seaside promenade, showers (08:00–21:00) Nearby onsen: Dōgo Onsen Honkan (12 km) ⸻ Matsuyama → Hiroshima (via ferry) Distance: 70 km + ferry Driving time: ≈ 3 h (including crossing) Take the Matsuyama–Kure–Hiroshima ferry across the Seto Inland Sea, dotted with small fishing islands. Once in Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome, and nearby Miyajima Island, home to the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kaita Seaside Park – east of central Hiroshima Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, seaside walkways, no showers Nearby onsen: Miyahama Onsen (10 km) ⸻ Hiroshima → Tokyo (return) Distance: 560 km Driving time: ≈ 7 h 30 min Follow the Sanyō Expressway east through Okayama and Kobe, or break the return journey with an optional overnight at Lake Biwa before completing the loop to Tokyo. Optional stop: Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu (Shiga) – previously used on Route 1 Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, shop, no showers Nearby onsen: Ogoto Onsen (13 km)

Tokyo → Okayama Approx. 650 km · 7½ hours Okayama → Naoshima Island Approx. 60 km + ferry · around 2 hours (including crossing) Naoshima → Iya Valley (Shikoku) Approx. 150 km + ferry · around 4 hours Iya Valley → Matsuyama Approx. 180 km · around 4½ hours Matsuyama → Hiroshima (via ferry) Approx. 70 km + ferry · around 3 hours Hiroshima → Tokyo Approx. 560 km · around 7½ hours