Cherry Blossoms Hideaway: Urashima Village

There are few places in Japan where cherry blossoms meet ocean sunset views, and even fewer where you can fall asleep to waves and wake up to sakura-covered mountaintops. Welcome to Mitoyo in Kagawa Prefecture—a quiet corner of Shikoku where spring paints the landscape in delicate pink, and time slows down at Urashima Village, a hidden luxury stay perched along the shimmering Seto Inland Sea.

Urashima Village: A HIDEAWAY Between Mountains and Sea

Tucked into a curve of the Mitoyo coastline, Urashima Village is more than a place to stay — it’s a retreat for the soul. The property offers three uniquely designed villas: Visionary, Timeless, and Silence, each built to harmonize with the sea, sky, and surrounding forested hills.

My stay in the Visionary villa was zen perfection. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened straight onto the water, where small fishing boats drifted by like brushstrokes on canvas. There were no clocks, no screens, just the rhythmic sound of the waves and the ever-changing light over the sea.

Whether you’re visiting with a group of friends or family, planning a romantic getaway, or simply craving solitude, Urashima Village caters to couples and groups of up to 10. Each villa features a fully-equipped kitchen perfect for cooking your own meals — or you can order their signature Treasure Box (“Urashima’s Tamatebako”), filled with fresh local ingredients, all prepped and ready to be cooked in your own time. There is a spacious living / play room in each villa for you to relax and forget about time.

There’s even a wood-fired sauna and private beach access just steps from the villa. During low tide (a few hours a day), you can walk across the sandbar (called “angel road”) to Urashima Shrine, which feels like a secret only the sea reveals. In the morning, I brewed coffee while watching the tide roll in through the panoramic windows. At night, I cooked dinner barefoot in the kitchen with the sea shimmering just beyond the glass.

The name Urashima comes from the legend of Urashima Taro, a fisherman who was whisked away to an undersea palace and returned with a treasurebox, only to find time had passed differently above water. Fittingly, time at Urashima Village feels suspended — as if you’re living in a gentle, beautiful pause from the world.

Aerial view of Urashima Village, perched atop a hill with private beach access

My favourite place and view in our villa - we loved making coffee here in the morning, watching the fishermen and changing tides, cooking and drinking in the sunset!

A few more postcards from our idyllic life in Urashima Village.

For more information, visit Urashima Village’s website or Instagram page and book here.

Read on for a mini guide for sakura hunting around Mitoyo!

PERFECT BASE TO VISIT MT. shiuDE

Just a short 10mins drive from Urashima Village is Mt. Shiude (Shiudeyama) 紫雲出山, one of Japan’s most stunning sakura spots and one of my personal favourites! The view from the mountain top is a breathtaking painting of the islands of the Seto Sea, like floating jewels, framed by clouds of soft blossoms. I fell in love with Mt. Shiude during my first visit in 2019 and revisiting again in 2025 with my hubby was a moment of pure magic.

Please see my complete guide to visiting Mt Shiude for cherry blossoms here. Full bloom dates change year to year but are usually in late March ~ early April.

Important: During cherry blossom season, car access to the summit is restricted and by reservation only, so please plan ahead and follow traffic regulations.

Dreamy morning at Mt Shiude during full bloom (late March ~ early April)

More Sakura Spots Around Mitoyo

If you are like me and can never get enough of cherry blossoms, here are more sakura spots around Mitoyo, best accessed with a car:

Photo 1: Fudo Falls Country Park 不動の滝カントリーパーク - lovely park with waterfalls and carp streamers (ahead of Children’s Day in early May); on the way to the next spot
Photos 2-4: Torii in the Sky at Takaya Shrine 天空の鳥居『高屋神社』 — A striking torii gate stands against sweeping views of the sea and sky. There are only few sakura trees but this spot is still worth a visit for the panoramic views, particularly at sunset! Traffic restrictions apply during weekends/holidays - more access information here.
Photos 5-7: Asahiyama Forest Park 朝日山森林公園 — A forested hillside filled with over 2,000 cherry trees. Great for peaceful walks and picnic spots.

Flowering Status: check out @mitoyo_gram for daily updates of flowering status during the cherry blossom season (late Mar ~ early Apr). Due to its higher altitude, the cherry trees on Mt. Shiude boom 2~3 days later than the other Mitoyo spots.

Mitoyo is one of those rare places that still feels like a secret. In spring, it's an absolute dream — with incredible and not-so-crowded cherry blossoms and Urashima Village offers a quiet, luxurious retreat into this dream like world.

But the magic of Mitoyo doesn’t end with sakura. Throughout the year, you will find seasonal delights like vibrant hydrangeas in early summer (~mid June), golden beaches including the famous mirror reflection at Chichibugahama, and local specialties like handmade Sanuki udon.

For more information (in English, Chinese or Japanese) on what to do, see, and eat, check out the Mitoyo Tourism website and instagram page. In terms of access, Urashima Village and Mitoyo is 1~1.5h drive from Takamatsu Airport and Okayama Shinkansen station.

If you're looking for a less-travelled Japan destination with deep serenity and cinematic views, add Mitoyo to your list. And if you can, treat yourself to a stay at Urashima Village. You won't want to leave!