Four days in Yamaguchi: Kintaikyo, Akiyoshidai, Hagi and the north coast

Yamaguchi rewards a slow trip. This four-day plan travels from east to west, starting near Hiroshima and finishing near Fukuoka, so it fits neatly into a wider journey through western Japan. Days 1 and 4 work by train; for days 2 and 3, a hire car makes life much easier.

Day 1: Kintaikyo and Yamaguchi city

• Morning: take the train from Hiroshima to Iwakuni and walk across the five wooden arches of Kintaikyo Bridge. Ride the ropeway up to Iwakuni Castle for the view.
• Afternoon: take the shinkansen from Shin-Iwakuni to Shin-Yamaguchi, then the local train to Yamaguchi city. Visit the five-storey pagoda of Rurikoji, a National Treasure from 1442.
• Evening: stay at Yuda Onsen, Yamaguchi’s hot spring town, and soak away the day.

Day 2: Akiyoshidai and Hagi

• Morning: pick up a hire car and drive about 40 minutes to Akiyoshido Cave. Walk the 1 km route through the cave, then take the elevator up to the plateau and walk among the limestone pillars.
• Afternoon: drive north to Hagi, about an hour. Explore the samurai district, the castle ruins and Shoka Sonjuku, the school of Yoshida Shoin.
• Evening: stay in Hagi, and try fresh squid or sea bream for dinner.

Day 3: Motonosumi Shrine and Tsunoshima

• Morning: drive west along the coast to Motonosumi Shrine, about an hour. Check first whether worship is open that day.
• Afternoon: continue to Tsunoshima Bridge, about an hour, and cross to the island for the lighthouse and the beaches.
• Evening: drive south to Shimonoseki, about 1 hour 20 minutes, and return the car.

See our guide to driving the north coast for stops along the way.

Day 4: Shimonoseki

• Morning: eat sushi and fugu at Karato Market (the stalls open on Fridays, weekends and holidays), then visit Akama Shrine.
• Afternoon: walk through the Kanmon Tunnel under the sea to Kyushu, explore Mojiko, and take the ferry back.
• Evening: take the shinkansen from Shin-Shimonoseki to Fukuoka, about 15 minutes, or stay for a fugu dinner. Read our guide to what to eat in Yamaguchi.

Tips

• No car? Swap days 2 and 3 for a day tour from Fukuoka, which covers Akiyoshido, Motonosumi and Tsunoshima. See our tours page.
• Book ahead: ryokan in Hagi and at Yuda Onsen fill up on weekends.
• Getting around: read our guide to getting around Yamaguchi.