Yamaguchi Sightseeing and Travel Guide: Best Onsen, Motonosumi Inari Shrine, Tsunoshima Bridge, Tourist Attractions, Hotels, and More
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The city of Yamaguchi has been selected for The New York Times' list of "52 places to go in 2024." It the only Japanese city on the list. Known as the "Western Kyoto," Yamaguchi Prefecture is located between the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan. It boasts one of Japan's three major limestone caves, Akiyoshido Cave, the Edo-period historical town of Hagi Castle, the Motonosumi Inari Shrine with its 123 red torii gates stretching to the seaside, the breathtaking Tsunoshima Bridge, and Yuda Onsen, renowned for its "beautiful skin hot springs." Yamaguchi prefecture is dotted with tourist attractions.
In addition to its captivating tourist attractions, Yamaguchi Prefecture's cuisine is another highlight not to be missed. Fugu (pufferfish) dishes are famous throughout Japan, especially the fugu sashimi in Shimonoseki City, where fresh fugu and exquisite knife skills are beloved by food enthusiasts. Another specialty dish is Yamaguchi's roof tile soba, where soba noodles are served on a heated roof tile with toppings such as beef, shredded egg, and shredded seaweed. This dish offers both great taste and a visually appealing presentation.
In this article, we will explain a detailed introduction to the charms of traveling to Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan, including information on transportation, tourist attractions, hotels, onsen, and recommended food. With tourist crowds common throughout Japan, consider planning a trip to Yamaguchi Prefecture. Not only can you avoid the crowds found in popular Japanese cities while maintaining a high level of travel quality, but you can also fully explore the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and delicious cuisine of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
內容
- Information on Transportation
- Recommended Hotels in Yamaguchi
- Recommended Tourist Attractions in Yamaguchi
- Recommended Cuisine in Yamaguchi
Information on Transportation
Here, we introduce various transportation methods to Yamaguchi Prefecture from both overseas and within Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
From Overseas
Currently, there are no direct flights from overseas to Yamaguchi Prefecture. The fastest way is to fly to Fukuoka Airport and then transfer to Yamaguchi Prefecture.
From Tokyo
There are two ways to travel from Tokyo to Yamaguchi Prefecture. One option is to take the Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station to JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station, which takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes. The other option is to fly from Haneda Airport to Yamaguchi Ube Airport, which takes around two hours..
From Osaka
To travel from Osaka to Yamaguchi Prefecture, you can take the Shinkansen from JR Shin-Osaka Station to JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station, which takes about two hours.
From Hiroshima
To travel from Hiroshima to Yamaguchi Prefecture, you can take the Shinkansen from JR Hiroshima Station to JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station, which takes only 33 minutes.
Book "JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass"
From Fukuoka
From JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, it takes about 34 minutes to reach JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station by Shinkansen, and only 27 minutes to JR Shin-Shimonoseki Station. If you are traveling to Yamaguchi Prefecture from Osaka, Hiroshima, or Hakata, it is recommended to use the "JR Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass" which is convenient and cost-effective.
Book "JR Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass"
Recommended Hotels in Yamaguchi
Hotel Nishinagato Resort
（ホテル西長門リゾート角島大橋）
Hotel Nishinagato Resort is the closest hotel to Tsunoshima Bridge. All rooms offer ocean views, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful blue sea and white sandy beaches, providing a luxurious and extraordinary experience. Some rooms offer direct views of the magnificent Tsunoshima Bridge and the sunset over the bridge from the comfort of your room. The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of Tsunoshima Bridge and serves around 70 dishes made with fresh local ingredients from Yamaguchi Prefecture, including a children's menu, making it ideal for families. The open-air hot spring bath allows guests to relax while enjoying the sea view, providing complete relaxation for the mind and body.
Iwakuni Kokusai Kanko Hotel
（錦帯橋温泉岩国国際観光ホテル）
Iwakuni Kokusai Kanko Hotel is located in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, just a three-minute walk from Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's three most famous bridges. The hotel features natural hot springs with baths offering stunning views of Kintaikyo Bridge and Iwakuni Castle. The dining options are diverse, including the iconic "Iwakuni Sushi" and the local dish "Ohira," a stew made with chicken, small taro, lotus root, yam, shiitake mushrooms, burdock root, and koya tofu. Additionally, the hotel serves seasonal Japanese kaiseki cuisine and Sichuan cuisine.
Hagihonnjin
（源泉の宿萩本陣）
Nestled among historical sites and natural surroundings in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Hagihonnjin is a renowned hot spring inn. The inn is just a 10-minute walk from Shoin Shrine and the World Heritage site Shoka Sonjuku. Bicycle and e-bike rentals are available for guests to leisurely explore nearby attractions. The inn boasts spacious large baths and open-air hot springs, with natural hot spring water renowned for its skin-beautifying effects and arthritis relief. Guests can choose from eight different types of rooms, including options with private hot spring baths, perfect for couples or families. Hagihonnjin is highly recommended for anyone planning to visit Hagi City.
Matsudaya Hotel
（湯田温泉 松田屋ホテル）
Matsudaya Hotel in Yuda Onsen boasts a history spanning over 300 years, making it a historic hot spring inn. Its traditional Japanese-style architecture and strolling garden attract many visitors. During the Edo period, it served as a gathering place for the samurai of the Choshu domain, and the hotel has preserved these historical remnants. The main building, a wooden structure built during the Meiji to Taisho eras, contrasts with the newer building, which is reinforced concrete and designed for accessibility. This blend of historical charm and modern comfort is a hallmark of Matsudaya. Guests can also enjoy the alkaline simple spring waters of Yuda Onsen, renowned for their skin-beautifying properties. The inn's seafood kaiseki cuisine is also highly acclaimed.
Recommended Tourist Attractions in Yamaguchi
Shimonoseki・Ube
Tsunoshima Bridge
Tsunoshima Bridge has been featured in both TV commercials and Takuya Kimura's drama “HERO,” making it a popular topic on social media. The bridge stretches 1,780 meters, connecting Japan's mainland to the remote island of Tsunoshima. With its crystal-clear waters and refreshing sea breeze, it's an ideal spot for cycling, walking, or driving. Just a 30-second drive from Tsunoshima Bridge, you'll find a quaint old house selling adorable Tsunoshima puddings. Enjoy the scenery and sea breeze while eating pudding at the lookout point.
Hagi・Nagato
Motonosumi Inari Shrine
There is no public transportation near Motonosumi Inari Shrine, so driving is recommended. The shrine's most striking feature is the 123 red torii gates stretching towards the Sea of Japan, creating a breathtaking view. The contrast of the red torii gates against the blue sea and green landscape makes it one of Yamaguchi Prefecture's top tourist attractions.
From the "front torii gate" at the entrance of the path, you can enjoy views of the cliffs overlooking the Sea of Japan. If you're lucky, you might witness the "Ryugu's spout," where seawater sprays up to about 30 meters high. In the afternoon, the torii gates cast shadows, so for the best photos, it is recommended to visit in the morning when there are also fewer visitors.
At the end of the path stands a large torii gate about 6 meters high, with an offering box on top. It is said that if you can toss money into the box, your wish will come true. Next to the large torii gate, an unmanned office sells charming white fox goshuin (shrine stamps), white fox omamori (charms), and ema (votive tablets), making excellent souvenirs.
Yamaguchi
Akiyoshido
Located 100 meters underground in Akiyoshidai, Akiyoshido is Japan's largest limestone cave, with a total length exceeding 10 kilometers. The visitor route spans about 1 kilometer, allowing you to admire the stalactites formed naturally over countless years. The cave maintains a temperature of around 17°C year-round, making it cool in summer and warm in winter. Even on rainy days, the experience remains unaffected, making it one of Yamaguchi Prefecture's renowned tourist attractions.
In addition to the standard tour route, visitors can opt for the "adventure route" for an additional fee. After renting a flashlight, you can start climbing the stalactites from near the front entrance. The entire adventure takes about 10 to 15 minutes, offering a unique exploration experience not found in other limestone caves.
Kintaikyo Bridge
Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's three most famous bridges, spans approximately 200 meters with its five wooden arches. Built in 1673 during the early Edo period, the bridge utilizes a unique "kumiki" woodworking technique. It is constructed with four stone piers connected by five wooden bridge sections, designed to withstand flooding without being washed away. Visitors can walk on the bridge and admire its unique geometric design from below. Viewing the arch structure from a yakatabune boat offers a different perspective. Standing on Kintaikyo Bridge and taking photos from a low angle makes the arches appear to extend into the sky, offering various photogenic opportunities.
Kintaikyo Bridge is illuminated at night, with the lighting varying by season, providing a beautiful sight for visitors. The bridge is open 24 hours a day, but the lights are turned off after 10 PM. There are no staff to collect fees at night, so please place the ticket fee into the night payment box when crossing. Note that Kintaikyo Bridge will be closed for inspection from Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
Recommended Cuisine in Yamaguchi
fugu (pufferfish)
Yamaguchi Prefecture is renowned for its fugu (pufferfish), especially in Shimonoseki City, the heart of fugu cuisine in Japan. Visitors from around the world come here to savor fresh fugu. The fugu is known for its unique flavor and texture and can be prepared in various ways, such as sashimi, hot pot, and fried dishes. Particularly notable is "fugu sashimi," where thinly sliced fugu is beautifully arranged on a plate, offering both visual and culinary delights. Fugu is highly regarded not only in Japan but also overseas. In winter, fugu hot pot is highly recommended for its delicious and warming qualities.
Shimonoseki City's Karato Market sells fresh fugu and a variety of seafood, making it a popular tourist attraction. In Yamaguchi Prefecture, fugu is strictly regulated and must be handled by professional chefs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy fugu dishes safely.
Roof tile soba
Roof tile soba is one of the most iconic dishes of Yamaguchi Prefecture. It features cha soba (green tea soba noodles) placed on a heated roof tile, topped with beef, shredded egg, lemon slices, spicy grated daikon radish, and chopped green onions. The high temperature of the roof tile makes the bottom layer of soba noodles crispy while the top layer remains chewy, offering a unique texture.
Roof tile soba is best enjoyed hot. Dip the hot noodles into the sauce before eating. The sweet sauce combined with the beef and tender egg threads creates a truly delicious flavor. Adding lemon slices or spicy grated daikon radish to the sauce provides a refreshing acidity and a mild spiciness, enhancing the soba's taste. For those traveling to Yamaguchi Prefecture, trying this unique roof tile soba is a must.
Uirou (sweet rice jelly)
Uirou from Yamaguchi Prefecture is a traditional Japanese confection made from rice, sugar, and water, resulting in a chewy texture and moderate sweetness. Uirou comes in various flavors, including matcha, brown sugar, and seasonal fruits. During cherry blossom season, a limited-edition cherry blossom flavor is available, while in autumn, a chestnut flavor is offered. Typically, Uirou is long and rectangular, but in some regions, it is cut into triangular shapes, topped with red beans, or wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Uirou hardens when refrigerated, so it is best stored at room temperature. If you are purchasing it as a souvenir, vacuum-packed Uirou with a longer shelf life is more convenient. However, for immediate consumption, "namaUirou" is recommended. "NamaUirou" refers to uirou that is packaged immediately after steaming, giving it a distinct chewiness and a shelf life of only 2 to 3 days. This fresh version of Uirou is unique to Yamaguchi Prefecture and cannot be found elsewhere, making it a special treat.
Dassai (Japanese sake)
Dassai is a high-quality Japanese sake brewed by Asahi Shuzo in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Made from carefully selected Yamada Nishiki rice, Dassai stands out with its fruity sweetness and smooth texture/. It is an excellent choice whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a meal.
Dassai offers a variety of options to cater to different preferences. Besides the standard 45% Junmai Daiginjo, there are also 39% Junmai Daiginjo and 23% Junmai Daiginjo, among others. Renowned both in Japan and internationally, Dassai is a must-have souvenir when visiting Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Recommended Website for Booking Restaurants in Japan
Tabelog is Japan's largest restaurant review website, featuring approximately 500,000 restaurant listings and around 800,000 reviews. Tabelog's rating system has a maximum score of five, with most average establishments scoring around 3.0. Restaurants with scores above 3.0 are considered good and worth trying. When planning a trip to Japan, you can refer to the ratings and reviews on the Tabelog website. The site allows you to search based on location, budget, restaurant type, and personal preferences.
Some Japanese restaurants can be reserved directly on the Tabelog website. To make a reservation, simply enter the date, number of people, and time, then confirm via email and provide your credit card and contact information. This way, you can secure a spot at your desired restaurant without wasting time waiting in line during your trip, making it very convenient. If you need to cancel or change your reservation, you can easily do so by clicking the link in the reservation confirmation email, which will take you to the page for modifying or canceling your reservation.
