Getting around Yamaguchi: shinkansen, buses, car hire and the SL Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is easy to reach and easy to cross from east to west, thanks to the shinkansen. Getting to the north coast and the hills is another matter. Here is how to get around, and when it pays to hire a car or join a tour.

The shinkansen

The Sanyo Shinkansen runs along the south of the prefecture, stopping at Shin-Iwakuni, Tokuyama, Shin-Yamaguchi, Asa and Shin-Shimonoseki. The fastest trains do not stop at every station, so check before you board. Shin-Yamaguchi is the main hub, with buses to Akiyoshidai and Hagi, and the Yamaguchi Line to Yamaguchi city.

Local trains

• The Sanyo Line: local trains along the south coast, linking Iwakuni, Tokuyama, Hofu and Shimonoseki.
• The Yamaguchi Line: north from Shin-Yamaguchi through Yuda Onsen and Yamaguchi city into the mountains towards Tsuwano in Shimane.
• The San’in Line: along the north coast through Hagi, Nagato and Takibe (for Tsunoshima). Trains are few, sometimes several hours apart.

The SL Yamaguchi

The SL Yamaguchi, a steam train pulled by the C57 locomotive nicknamed the “Noble Lady”, runs on the Yamaguchi Line between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano, about two hours each way. After years of repairs, the C57 returned to service in October 2026, running on weekends and holidays through the autumn. Seats must be reserved, and they sell out, so book early and check the schedule with JR West.

Buses

Express buses run from Shin-Yamaguchi to Hagi in about an hour, and to Akiyoshido Cave in about 45 minutes. City buses serve Shimonoseki, Iwakuni and Yamaguchi city. Rural buses, such as those across Tsunoshima Bridge, are infrequent, and there is no bus at all to Motonosumi Shrine.

Hiring a car

For the north coast and Akiyoshidai, a car is by far the easiest option. Rental offices are at Shin-Yamaguchi, Shin-Shimonoseki, Tokuyama and the airports, and one-way rentals are usually possible.

• Licence: bring an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, along with your national licence. Drivers from some countries need an official Japanese translation instead.
• Driving: Japan drives on the left, speed limits are low, and coastal roads are winding.
• Tolls: the Chugoku Expressway and Sanyo Expressway charge tolls. Ask about an ETC card when you book.

See our guide to driving the north coast.

Rail passes

JR West sells regional passes for visitors that cover the shinkansen and local JR lines between areas such as Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Fukuoka. They do not cover most buses, so add up the trips you actually plan to make.

When to take a tour

Without a car, a day tour is the easiest way to see Motonosumi Shrine, Tsunoshima Bridge and Akiyoshido Cave in a single day. Most start in Fukuoka. See our tours page.

Tips

• IC cards such as ICOCA and Suica work on JR trains in the cities, but carry cash for rural buses.
• For flights and the shinkansen to Yamaguchi, see getting there.
• Plan your days with our four-day itinerary.