Yamaguchi
Building bridges old and new
The departure point for Kyushu and Korea, Yamaguchi bridges the urban and rural, the traditional and modern.
At the western tip of Honshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture is the last point on the main island before you reach idyllic Kyushu and the tropical island paradise of Okinawa. You can literally walk to Kyushu from Yamaguchi, which is also a gateway between Japan and South Korea, offering a daily ferry service to and from Busan.
The pace is generally laid-back, though thrill-seekers can get their fill petting Iwakuni’s famous albino snakes or trying Shimonoseki’s potentially fatal dish of fugu (blowfish).
One of the most scenic spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Bordered by both the rural San-in and the industrialized San-yo coastlines, Yamaguchi was once seen as an alternative capital to Kyoto and played a major part in the ending of Japan’s shogun rule. History-buffs should head to historic Hagi City to see the origins of the Meiji Restoration. Samurai quarters and castle ruins make up the town’s picturesque streets. Hagi is also famous for pottery which you can try making at the local craft center.
Iwakuni Castle and Kintaikyo Bridge
Iwakuni is another worthwhile sightseeing stop on your way through the prefecture. Its star attraction is the arched Kintaikyo Bridge, a reconstructed copy of the original five-arched construction built in 1673. It’s the most popular cherry blossom viewing spot in the prefecture. Like Hagi, you can stroll around the old samurai district and Iwakuni castle, stopping for a quick thrill in one of the albino snake-viewing facilities.
Iwakuni Castle.
Head to the Akiyoshidai plateau near Yamaguchi City to see limestone pillars sticking up through the ground like rocky weeds, as well as the largest limestone cave in Japan at Akiyoshido underneath.
What to Eat in Yamaguchi
You can either climb or take the ropeway up Mount Hinoyama for some stunning views from the edge of Honshu.
Shimonoseki is also known as the fugu capital of Japan and is probably the safest place to try this deadly cuisine. Less fatal fish is available at the Karato Ichiba fish market, though you’ll have to wake up at an eye-watering 4 a.m. to get in on the action.
Plan your trip to Yamaguchi with the locations below!
Trivia
What to Eat in Yamaguchi
From the delicacy of blowfish to what the old mountain bandits ate, this
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