Cruising the Seto Inland Sea aboard Guntû – the ultimate way to detach from urban life and experience true serenity. Combining the concepts of a traditional Japanese inn and a luxury yacht, Guntû is one of the most unique and luxurious ways to explore Setouchi (an archipelago of more than 700 islands) with exquisite levels of service, food and amenities.
This nineteen-room floating ryokan, designed by award-winning architect Yasube Horibe, showcases contemporary Japanese craftsmanship with eleven varieties of local wood and glass, including honey-coloured ash and alder-wood floors, walls and ceilings, and minimalist interiors featuring traditional rattan stools and tatami cushions. Competing for attention with the design is the spectacular setting: sail across the Seto Inland Sea, a green-blue expanse of water speckled with thousands of tiny islands.
Guntû’s three to four-day voyages, available from summer to autumn, have three different route categories: westward, central and eastward. Each route offers different anchorage spots and off-ship activities.
"Travelling on Guntû is a unique way to experience this part of the world."
Relax amid historical landscapes and island vistas as you weave through narrow straits on the westward route. Explore ancient pirate sites and admire the spectacular Setouchi scenery on the central route. Find the best art sites island hopping in Setouchi, experience some of the region’s treasured crafts and discover abundant nature and beautiful scenery on the eastward route.
Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to visit places not usually available to tourists. Gain first-hand knowledge of local ways of life and culture as you take morning strolls along quiet lanes, observing the cherry blossom or autumn leaves. Sample soy sauce at a local brewery, explore ancient temples, visit a traditional fishing village and cycle through lush forests.
Back on board, there’s the chance to experience a traditional tea ceremony. This centuries-old ritual normally unfolds inside a Kyoto tea house or a remote ryokan inn, not looking out to a sun-flecked expanse of deep, blue water. This is a place for simply enjoying the moment, whether that’s staring out to sea on the Engawa (traditional Japanese veranda), partaking in a rejuvenating massage or unwinding in your suite’s open-air bath as you soak up the pristine views.
When it comes to dining, Guntû’s philosophy is to enjoy what you want, as much as you want. From Japanese to Western cuisine, the food is plentiful. Sushi is the star of the menu, supervised by Nobuo Sakamoto of the renowned restaurant Nobu at Awajishima. Enjoy local delicacies at the six-seater bar as the ever-changing scenery passes you by.
Travelling on Guntû is a unique way to experience this part of the world. With an emphasis placed on appreciating your natural surroundings, time passes slowly here. And it’s all the better for it.
