July 22nd, 2023 at 01:34 am
Top Tourist Attractions in Yamaguchi, Japan 2023
The fact that there are so many attractions and things to do everywhere you go in Japan is one of its best features. When it comes to popular destinations for international travelers like Osaka and Tokyo, it’s expected. But even places that are hardly ever visited by tourists from other countries have a lot to offer. One example is Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi Prefecture, which marks the southwest corner of Honshu Island, is frequently disregarded in favor of its more well-known neighbors, Fukuoka to the south and Hiroshima to the north. The majority of passengers leaving Fukuoka Airport on their way to Hiroshima typically pass by it without giving it much thought. This is why Yamaguchi frequently astounds guests.
The samurai ruling class has a long history of influence in the prefecture. It is currently one of Japan’s most industrialized prefectures. It draws visitors to its verdant natural parks, coastlines, and cultural attractions. The Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, Yamaguchi City, Shimonoseki, Iwakuni, and Hagi City are the most well-liked vacation spots.
Here are some activities and destinations to see if Yamaguchi is on your travel itinerary.
1. Motonosumi Inari Shrine
Motonosumi Inari Shrine, which adorns the Yuyatsuo seashore in the coastal city of Nagato in the north, is on CNN Travel’s list of the “31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan.” The walkway of red torii gates down to the coast and the rock formations below is its most outstanding feature. It is breathtaking to see the traditional torii gates’ deep red color contrasted with the surrounding greenery and the Sea of Japan’s blue waves.
The building of the shrine, which has 123 torii gates creeping from the mountaintop entrance down the rocky coast, began in 1987. The tallest one, though, with an offertory box perched high above, is the most famous of them all. Visitors who successfully throw a coin into the box believe that their wish will come true.
2. Tsunoshima Bridge
A picturesque bridge spans Amagaseto Strait for 1,780 meters on the northwest coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture, linking the mainland to the Shimonoseki-area vacation island Tsunoshima Island. The bridge, which is regarded as the second-longest in Japan, takes a minor curve to avoid the area where a little deserted island (Hato Island) is located.
The bridge, which began construction in November 2000, begins at Hhoku in Shimonoseki. Amagase Park in Shimonoseki and Sezakiyono Park on Tsunoshima Island both adorn the ends of the bridge.
Apart from the attractions on the island, one of the bridge’s appeals is the scenic drive, even though visitors cannot cross it on foot. Shimonoseki’s Amagase Park contains the Tsunoshima Observatory in addition to other overlooks.
3. Tsunoshima Island
The island, which is northwest of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s shore and is governed by Shimonoseki, is a part of the Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park. The Tsunoshima Bridge replaced the ferry service that connected the island to the mainland. The island’s tourism business benefited greatly from the bridge’s facilitation of access.
Shiokaze Cobalt Blue Beach, Tsunoshima Ohama Beach, Tsunoshimaohama Camping Ground, Tsunoshima Lighthouse, Makizakikazeno Park, and other parks are a few of the attractions on Tsunoshima Island.
The island is a well-liked site for commercial and film shoots. On the island, popular pastimes include camping and sport fishing.
4. Kintai Bridge
The Kintai Bridge, one of Yamaguchi’s most noteworthy historic sites, was first built in 1673 and connects to the castle’s main entrance.
The bridge spans the Nishiki River and is about 200 meters long. It is a part of Kikkou Park. It is well-known for its collection of five wooden arches that are held up by two wooden piers on either end of the bridge and four stone piers in the middle. Over the years, it underwent numerous reconstructions. In 1922, it received national treasure status.
In the spring, Kikkou Park is a popular place for hanami (flower-watching), and in the fall, it’s a great place to see Momiji (Japanese maples).
5. Iwakuni Castle
Iwakuni Castle, which is also a part of Kikkou Park, is perched atop Mount Yokoyama and offers views of both the city and the Seto Inland Sea. The first castle, commissioned by Kikkawa Hiroie to be his official residence, was finished in 1608. However, due to the Tokugawa Shogunate’s policy of “one castle per province,” it was destroyed in 1615.
The current four-story building was constructed in 1962. A collection of samurai-related items is also housed in the castle.
6. Iwakuni Sushi
Don’t forget to try Iwakuni sushi, a popular delicacy of Iwakuni, while you’re in the Kikkou Park neighborhood. This layered pressed sushi (oshizushi) has the appearance of a savory cake.
Sushi rice, Iwakuni Renkon lotus root, denbu (or fresh fish), thinly sliced eggs, and mushrooms are the traditional essential ingredients. A wooden sushi mold is then used to press these components together. The “sushi cake” is divided into layer-by-layer-small pieces before being served.
7. 100 flavors of ice cream at Musashi
If you’re feeling feisty choose an unusual taste instead of the traditional ones. I suppose having 100 different flavors of ice cream would be a bit much. Not to worry! Ice cream flavor lists are categorized into bestsellers, seasonal, limited, special, and new flavor lists. Each ice cream base has its category for flavors, such as fruit- or tea-based flavors.
8. Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park
The Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park was created in 1955, and it is a protected region with a karst plateau and extensive grassland that spans around 45 square kilometers.
The Akiyoshid, the longest cave in Japan and one of the longest in Asia is the park’s most well-known attraction. Although the cave is about nine kilometers long, only around one of those kilometers is open to the general public for tourism. The subterranean tour involves moving through a network of walkways, bridges, and an artificial elevator. Numerous imaginative rock formations can be found inside.
There are more than 400 more limestone caves in the park in addition to Akiyoshid. The Akiyoshidai Groundwater System, a wetland of worldwide significance and a Ramsar Site is also a part of the park. The park has several hiking trails that lead to beautiful locations. A visitor center, the park’s administrative building, a natural history museum, a rest stop, and a youth hostel are all present. The regional prefectural government oversees the park.
9. Yudaonsen
Japan has a vibrant onsen (natural hot spring) culture. It is still one of the distinctive traditions that the inhabitants follow religiously. While the experience may seem unsettling to visitors, it is a way of life for those who live there.
The health advantages of onsen baths are well known. While there are many onsen towns and villages in Japan, the Yamaguchi one has a magical history. Legend has it that a white fox visited the Kumano Shrine and healed its injured paw by dipping it in the shrine’s pond.
The Yudaonsen District in Yamaguchi City is now covered in fox statues and businesses like restaurants and souvenir shops that are all themed around foxes. To honor the district’s emblem, a huge statue of the white fox stands in the center of Yudaonsen Station. The alkaline waters of the natural spring baths are well-known. The neighborhood is home to several onsen facilities, although Ryokans and hotels also provide this service.
10. Hagi Castle Town
The castle town of Hagi was prosperous throughout the Edo Period. The Mori clan, one of the most illustrious and powerful clans in Japan at the time, had its headquarters there. For more than 250 years, the Mori lords ruled over the modern-day Yamaguchi. Their designated place of residence for the lords is the Hagi Castle. The samurai, traders, and artisans all lived on the castle grounds.
The historic atmosphere of the old castle town is still present in the city of Hagi today. The old castle was built at the base of Mount Shizukiyama, close to Kikugahama Beach on the outskirts of the city. In the location, the samurai and commoners once lived in the castle town in the city center, which is now only the ruins of the castle. The castle town is home to well-preserved buildings like historic samurai residences and antique merchant homes.
11. Ruriko-ji Temple
One of Yamaguchi’s top attractions is Ruriko-ji, which dates to the late 15th century. One of the three largest pagodas in Japan, the Buddhist temple is home to a five-story pagoda.
The pagoda is the oldest building on the temple grounds, having been there long before the temple was established as an institution. The complex includes a museum, a storeroom for the temple, a bell tower, and the main hall.
12. Irori Sanzoku
Irori Sanzoku, which means “Bandit’s Hearth” in English, is a well-known restaurant in Yamaguchi providing food purported for consumption by Sanzoku (bandits). Sanzoku musubi (a sizable rice ball), Sanzoku-yaki (hearty grilled chicken), Sanzoku udon, and Sumeragi beef are the most well-liked items on the menu.
The neighborhood restaurant franchise has six locations: three in Kuga, two in Nishiki, and one in Shuto. The restaurants’ layout and architecture are influenced by traditional Japanese forms and motifs.
13. Karato Fish Market
The Karato Fish Market, a sizable marketplace with a wide variety of sushi, sashimi, donburi, and other delectable foods, situates near the Kamon Wharf in Shimonoseki.
Would you like to try some fugu (puffer fish), one of the most hazardous seafood to eat? The Puffer Fish Capital of the World is Shimonoseki. Fugu – one of Japan’s most popular (yet infamous) delicacies typically serves as sashimi or in a hotpot.
14. Akama-Jinju Shrine
Akama-Jinju temple, a waterfront Shinto temple facing the Kanmon Straits, is located just a few hundred meters to the northeast of Karato Fish Market. Its vivid crimson main entrance attracts attention to the shrine and resembles Ryg-j, an underwater palace from Japanese folklore. The shrine built in 1191 honors the young emperor Antoku, who drowned during the Battle of Dan-no-Ura in 1185.
The Hoichi Hall and the Nanamori-zuka, the burial place of the Taira clan warriors, are two other noteworthy aspects of the temple in addition to the main gate’s vivid red color.
15. Kawara Soba
Yamaguchi Prefecture’s Kawara Soba is a distinctly regional dish. Created by Shinichi Takase, the owner of the restaurant Kawara Soba Takase, it keeps warming people’s bellies since 1962. Eventually, it became known as the specialty of the Kawatana Onsen District.
Green tea soba, a thinly sliced egg, beef, seweed, shredded daikon, chili, and lemon slices make up Kawara Soba. However, employing Japanese Kawara (roof tile) for both cooking and serving is what gave the meal its distinctive flavor.
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