Stories & guides
Motonosumi Shrine, Kintaikyo, Akiyoshido Cave, Hagi, fugu and Yamaguchi food, hot springs, the north coast, an itinerary and practical tips.
PracticalHow to get around Yamaguchi Prefecture: the shinkansen and local trains, buses to Akiyoshidai and Hagi, hiring a car for the north coast, rail passes and the SL Yamaguchi steam train.
Hot springsA guide to Yamaguchi’s hot springs: Yuda Onsen and its white fox, riverside Nagato Yumoto, the healing waters of Tawarayama, Kawatana Onsen and onsen etiquette.
Day tripsA road trip along Yamaguchi’s Sea of Japan coast: Hagi, Omijima, Higashi-Ushirobata rice terraces, Motonosumi Shrine, Tsunoshima Bridge and on to Shimonoseki.
Food and drinkA guide to Yamaguchi food: fugu in Shimonoseki, sushi at Karato Market, kawara soba on a hot roof tile, Iwakuni-zushi, natsumikan, and sake such as Dassai.
CultureHow to spend a day in Hagi: the Horiuchi samurai district, Hagi Castle ruins, Shoka Sonjuku and the World Heritage sites, Hagi ware pottery, food and getting there.
NatureHow to visit Akiyoshido Cave and the Akiyoshidai plateau: the cave route, the rimstone pools and Golden Pillar, walks on the karst, the February grass burning and getting there.
Day tripsHow to visit Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni: crossing the five arches, Iwakuni Castle and the ropeway, Kikko Park, cormorant fishing, Iwakuni sushi and getting there from Hiroshima.
CultureHow to visit Motonosumi Shrine in Nagato: the story of the 123 torii, the coin-toss offering box, the 2026 visiting restrictions, the best time of day and how to get there.
PracticalWhen to visit Yamaguchi: cherry blossom at Kintaikyo, the rainy season and fireflies, summer beaches at Tsunoshima, autumn on Akiyoshidai and winter fugu and hot springs.
ItinerariesA four-day Yamaguchi itinerary: Kintaikyo and Yamaguchi city, Akiyoshido Cave and Hagi, Motonosumi Shrine and Tsunoshima Bridge, and a last day in Shimonoseki.