Where to Go in Yamaguchi Prefecture

In the very north of Yamaguchi Prefecture, perched on a rugged piece of land that bulges out into the ocean, lie the 123 red torii gates of Motonosumi Inari Shrine. Set against a backdrop of the Sea of Japan this impressive domino stack of red gates runs along a picturesque walkable path through woodland. Follow the gates all the way up the hill and you’ll soon reach the shrine which is headed by Yamaguchi’s ubiquitous white fox mascot. While this relatively unvisited shrine is worth a look around, the main source of entertainment is the donation box found at the final gate. Placed out of reach in the middle of the gate’s crossbar, visitors dedicate good chunks of time to aiming coins into the elevated box - all to have their wish granted.

Iwakuni

Iwakuni is a small and calm city in the very east of Yamaguchi Prefecture less than an hour from Hiroshima City. Its trademark wooden arched Kintai Bridge can be visited on the way up to the Iwakuni Castle which, found on a hill overlooking the city, is the perfect spot for combining impressive views, history, and nature. Back down in the centre be sure to explore the parks, museums, and the samurai district where visitors can take a tour of an old samurai house.

Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park

The Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park is a welcome stretch of over 100 kilometres of rolling hills found a 45-minute from Yamaguchi City. Endless hiking trails scatter the area with some of the most common trails taking just an hour or two to complete. The park is celebrated for its high concentration of limestone caves which are spread out around the area cut into the hillsides. With over 400 to explore, the park’s caves are hard to miss with the most impressive of the bunch the 10-kilometre long Akiyoshido Cave. Discovering the fascinating rock formations hidden away in Akiyoshido can be done alone, on a tour, or even by bus.

Shimonoseki

One of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s pride and joys, Shimonoseki is a town set along the Kanmon Straits at the very southwestern tip of Japan’s main island, Honshu. As well as the impressive Kanmon Bridge, Shimonoseki is celebrated for its abundance of seafood, namely the Yamaguchi favourite, pufferfish. Often referred to as the gateway to Japan, Shimonoseki is just a short trip from Kita Kyushu which can be reached by boat or through a tunnel under the sea. Popular day trips to the very north of Kyushu include the samurai town Chofu as well as Mojiko port town.

Yamaguchi City

The capital city of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Yamaguchi City is worth a visit for its combination of culture and nature spread across the city. The best way to discover the city is via Park Road, a central, pedestrianised street that takes you down gingko tree-lined streets from the Prefectural Office past many of the city’s main attractions. Spots not to miss along the way include the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum, Yamaguchi Catholic Church for its rare architecture, and the five-storied pagoda of Rurikoji Temple. Just two stations away from Yamaguchi Station sits the ever popular Yuda Onsen complete with its many hot springs from public baths, ryokan, and open foot onsen in the street.

Yamaguchi City

Motonosumi Inari Shrine

Yamaguchi Pref. Nagatoshi Yuyatsuou 498

5:30-17:30

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Iwakuni

Yamaguchi Pref

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Kintaikyo Bridge

Yamaguchi Pref. Iwakunishi Iwakuni

0827295116

Open 24 hours

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Iwakuni Castle

Yamaguchi Pref. Iwakunishi Yokoyama 3

0827411477

9:00-16:45(Latest entry16:30…

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