Travel Yamaguchi
Travel Yamaguchi, in a trip whose fun begins before it starts with a,
"How far shall we go?"
With ocean on three sides and mountains in the center, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in the West of Japan, is full of wonderful, as yet unknown places. For example, one can explore incredible scenery in Nagato City, which calls the Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park its own; in Hagi City, a World Heritage Site castle town, one can travel through the Bakumatsu Period (1853-1868, the closing years of Japan's Edo Period); one can explore caves and go trekking across the largest karst plateau in Japan in Mine City; learn about the "Ouchi Culture" in Yamaguchi City, the "Capital of the West," and in Shimonoseki, the city of straits, enjoy a stroll around retro city streets... Ideas for your trip will come to you one after another. Find out for yourself how exciting a trip to Yamaguchi Prefecture can be. To start with, take a look at our "Travel Ingredient List" and start putting together your own list!
long description:Required time to the area
- To Shimonoseki City:75 min from Otani Sanso
- To Hagi City:35 min from Otani Sanso
- Mine City:40 min from Otani Sanso
- Yamaguchi City:60 min from Otani Sanso
Search "The Travel Ingredient List" by keyword
- Yamaguchi
Ruriko-ji Temple (National Treasure)
A National Treasure popular in the cherry blossom and autumn seasons. Home to one of Japan's three greatest pagodas.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 60 minutes by car
- Shimonoseki
Kozan-ji Temple (National Treasure)
A must see for fans of the Bakumatsu Period (1853-1867)! It contains the oldest (Zen) temple building in Japan, a National Treasure.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 70 minutes by car
- Shimonoseki
Nagato Ichinomiya Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine (National Treasure)
One of the 3 great Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrines. Its main hall, with its unique 9-ken streamlined roof style, is a National Treasure.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 70 minutes by car
- Hagi
Hagi Reverberatory Furnace (World Heritage Site)
A local train runs right by this World Heritage Site
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 45 minutes by car
- Hagi
Sho-in Shrine (Includes the World Heritage old Shoka-son Private School)
A treasure house of artifacts relating to the life of 19th century intellectual Yoshida Shoin, including the World Heritage Site Shokason-juku School
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 40 minutes by car
- Hagi
Hagi Castle Town (World Heritage Site)
Enjoy cafés built in old-style Japanese houses, too. Kimonos suit this town, with its traditional white plaster walls.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 40 minutes by car
- Shimonoseki
Mori Museum
Famous for its autumn leaves. The garden seen from the Emperor's traveling residence is quite the sight.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 65 minutes by car
- Nagato
Tainei-ji Temple
From daimyo Ouchi Yoshitaka to the samurai Uesugi Norizone, Tainei-ji Temple is associated with many famous names from Japanese history.
- Access from Otani Sanso7 minutes by car, 21 minutes walking
- Other
Kintai Bridge
One of Japan's three unusual bridges. Snap a shot of the arches together with the castle nearby.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 120 minutes by car
- Nagato
Misuzu Kaneko Memorial Museum
"Everyone is different, and everyone is good." A memorial museum that brings visitors to the poems of Misuzu Kaneko
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 15 minutes by car
- Yamaguchi
Akasaki Shrine Natural Amphitheater (Nationally Designated Important Tangible Cultural Property)
The shrine also has an exceptional view of the ocean, and includes the National Designated important Cultural Property, the "Akasaki Shrine Natural Amphitheater."
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 8 minutes by car
- Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM)
Distinctive with its wave-shaped roof, this media center has an artistic air about it.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 55 minutes by car
- Nagato
Yasuo Kazuki Museum
At this museum, meet the painter Yasuo Kazuki, who had a great love for his birthplace of Nagato.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 20 minutes by car
- Other
Irori Sanzoku (the Bandit’s Hearth)
You'll feel like a bandit yourself once you've gone inside! Dine on exciting dishes like the famous Bandit's Grill
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 95 minutes by car
- Nagato
Country Kitchen
Enjoy a soft serve ice cream at 333 meters above sea level! You'll want to come back to buy the bread made with natural yeast a second time.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 25 minutes by car
- Nagato
Komori Yakitori Grilled Chicken
A long-established restaurant for Nagato's soulfood, grilled "yakitori" chicken! Fresh from Nagato's poultry farms.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 12 minutes by car*3 minute walk from JR Nagato-shi Station (From the rotary in front of the station)
- Shimonoseki
Takase Kawara Soba Noodles (Kawatana Main Store)
Try eating your kawara soba in three different ways as you go! Have a taste of these crispy noodles traditionally grilled on a tile.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 60 minutes by car
- Shimonoseki
Karato Market / Lively Bankasai Market
Every weekend, the market stalls offer a fresh catch! Find pufferfish and other choice fish at market prices
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 75 minutes by car
- Hagi
Nagayamon Café Tikal
This café is located within the old gate of the Ogawa Family residence, a municipally designated tangible cultural property. Enjoy coffee, roasted here, in a Hagi pottery cup.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 33 minutes by car
- Nagato
Omijima Island (National Designated Place of Scenic beauty & Natural Monument)
Here, caves, sheer cliffs, and stone pillars rise out of the blue seas! Take in the wild scenery in one sweeping view.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 20 minutes by car
- Mine
Akiyoshi-dai Karst Plateau (Special Natural Monument)
For a trip to see the records of the world, visit the largest karst plateau in Japan
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 40 minutes by car
- Mine
Beppu Benten Pond
See the wonder of this pond's turquoise blue, and have a taste of the famous waters.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 20 minutes by car
- Nagato
Otozure River Walking Path
Waters so clear you can see to the bottom of the riverbed. There are stepping stones and foot baths along this footpath.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 30 second walk
- Nagato
Senjojiki
This point offers a view of Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park. Recommended for watching the first sunrise of the new year.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 25 minutes by car
- Nagato
Motonosumi Shrine
See the wonder of the shrine offeratory box located at a height of 6 meters. 123 torii gates are lined up here along this sheer cliffside.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 30 minutes by car
- Shimonoseki
Tsunoshima Bridge, Tsunoshima Island
White sands and emerald green waters stretch across this scenic beach.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 50 minutes by car
- Nagato
Yuya Terraced Rice Fields
From May - June, take in the sight of sunset here aglow with fishing lights. The Sea of Japan extends into the distance here beyond terraced rice fields.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 25 minutes by car
- Shimonoseki
Shimonoseki Kaikyokan Marine Science Museum
Get to know the pufferfish of the world! There are even exciting dolphin and seal shows held just in front of the Straits of Shimonoseki
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 75 minutes by car
- Nagato
Omijima Island Sightseeing Boat
Slip through caves on this adventurous ride, and experience thrills that aren't available on land!
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 15 minutes by car
- Yamaguchi
Ruriko-ji Temple (National Treasure)
A National Treasure popular in the cherry blossom and autumn seasons. Home to one of Japan's three greatest pagodas.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 60 minutes by car
- Shimonoseki
Nagato Ichinomiya Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine (National Treasure)
One of the 3 great Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrines. Its main hall, with its unique 9-ken streamlined roof style, is a National Treasure.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 70 minutes by car
- Hagi
Hagi Castle Town (World Heritage Site)
Enjoy cafés built in old-style Japanese houses, too. Kimonos suit this town, with its traditional white plaster walls.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 40 minutes by car
- Nagato
Tainei-ji Temple
From daimyo Ouchi Yoshitaka to the samurai Uesugi Norizone, Tainei-ji Temple is associated with many famous names from Japanese history.
- Access from Otani Sanso7 minutes by car, 21 minutes walking
- Other
Kintai Bridge
One of Japan's three unusual bridges. Snap a shot of the arches together with the castle nearby.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 120 minutes by car
- Yamaguchi
Akasaki Shrine Natural Amphitheater (Nationally Designated Important Tangible Cultural Property)
The shrine also has an exceptional view of the ocean, and includes the National Designated important Cultural Property, the "Akasaki Shrine Natural Amphitheater."
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 8 minutes by car
- Other
Irori Sanzoku (the Bandit’s Hearth)
You'll feel like a bandit yourself once you've gone inside! Dine on exciting dishes like the famous Bandit's Grill
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 95 minutes by car
- Nagato
Komori Yakitori Grilled Chicken
A long-established restaurant for Nagato's soulfood, grilled "yakitori" chicken! Fresh from Nagato's poultry farms.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 12 minutes by car*3 minute walk from JR Nagato-shi Station (From the rotary in front of the station)
- Mine
Akiyoshi-dai Karst Plateau (Special Natural Monument)
For a trip to see the records of the world, visit the largest karst plateau in Japan
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 40 minutes by car
- Nagato
Otozure River Walking Path
Waters so clear you can see to the bottom of the riverbed. There are stepping stones and foot baths along this footpath.
- Access from Otani SansoApprox. 30 second walk
