Day tour
Season: Year-roundMotonosumi Shrine and Tsunoshima Bridge day tour
- Walk the tunnel of 123 red torii above the Sea of Japan
- Cross the long, curving bridge to Tsunoshima island
Yamaguchi’s Sea of Japan coast is one of the most beautiful drives in western Japan. Between Hagi and Shimonoseki, the road passes fishing villages, rocky islands, rice terraces and clear blue water, with two of the prefecture’s most famous sights on the way. The trains along this coast are slow and infrequent, so a hire car is the way to see it.
Hagi
Start in Hagi, the old castle town. If you stayed the night, take an early walk along the samurai lanes before you set off west. Read our guide to a day in Hagi.
Omijima and Senzaki
About 45 minutes west, the town of Nagato faces the island of Omijima, linked by a bridge. Sightseeing boats from Senzaki port cruise around the island’s sheer cliffs, caves and rock arches, sometimes called the Alps of the sea, when the weather is calm. Senzaki was a whaling town, and a small temple keeps a grave for whales; it was also the home of the poet Kaneko Misuzu, whose museum is in the old town.
Higashi-Ushirobata rice terraces
West of Nagato, the rice terraces of Higashi-Ushirobata step down the hillside to the sea. In early summer, when the fields are flooded, they reflect the sunset, and the lights of squid-fishing boats appear on the horizon.
Motonosumi Shrine
A few minutes further on is Motonosumi Shrine, with its 123 red torii running down the cliff. Remember that worship has been restricted on many weekends and holidays in 2026. Read our guide to visiting Motonosumi Shrine.
Tsunoshima Bridge
About an hour south-west, cross Tsunoshima Bridge, 1,780 metres across emerald water, to the island of Tsunoshima. Climb the 1876 lighthouse, or swim from the white beaches in summer.
On to Shimonoseki
From Tsunoshima, it is about 1 hour 20 minutes south to Shimonoseki. If you have time, detour inland to Kawatana Onsen for a plate of kawara soba.
Planning your drive
- One day: Hagi to Shimonoseki, with stops at Motonosumi and Tsunoshima, is about 150 km and a full day.
- Two days: add the Omijima boat trip and a night at Nagato Yumoto Onsen.
- Car hire: pick up a car at Shin-Yamaguchi and drop it at Shin-Shimonoseki. See getting around Yamaguchi.
- Weather: the Sea of Japan is rough in winter, and boat trips often do not run.
