The Chugoku area, with its beautiful natural scenery and historical sites, consists of five prefectures: Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi. Major attractions in this area include the following
The Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture are also known as Japan's desert because of their beauty. The dunes, which stretch 2.4 km from north to south and 16 km from east to west, are designated as a special protection area in San'in Kaigan National Park. Here, visitors can enjoy the pleasure of taking pictures with camels or take a camel ride through the dunes. Visitors can also try sandboarding, which takes advantage of the difference in elevation of the dunes and is popular among tourists.
Izumo Taisha Shrine, located in Shimane Prefecture, is a shrine that is believed to be beneficial for all kinds of good relationships and has a long history, having been founded in the Heian period (794-1192). As a shrine dedicated especially to the deity Okuninushi, it is an object of faith for worshippers who wish for matchmaking and conjugal harmony. The Izumo-taisha Shrine's Kaguraden (Hall of Shinto music and dance) is home to one of Japan's largest and most magnificent shimenawa (sacred straw ropes), which impresses many visitors to the shrine.
Okayama Castle, located in Okayama Prefecture, was built between 1346 and 1369 and is a sightseeing spot of great historical value. The castle has an observation floor that offers a panoramic view of the city, and on a clear day, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the city. There are also plenty of opportunities to experience the history and culture associated with the castle, and the related items on display are also a must-see.
The Korakuen Garden is a Japanese garden built in the early Edo period (1603-1868) and designated as one of the three best gardens in Japan and a special place of scenic beauty by the national government. In summer, the beautiful lotus flowers of "Itten Shikai" bloom in the Hanaba pond in the garden, delighting visitors. This garden offers beautiful seasonal views and is a popular place to experience Japanese garden culture.
Itsukushima Shrine, located in Hiroshima Prefecture, is a World Heritage-listed shrine and an impressive sightseeing spot with its large torii gate floating on Hiroshima Bay. Itsukushima is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, and its shrine pavilions offer a wonderful view. The shrine evokes a sense of Japanese history and religious culture and attracts many tourists.
Kintai Bridge in Yamaguchi Prefecture is a wooden arch bridge designated as a place of scenic beauty in Japan and spans the Nishiki River in Iwakuni City. completed in 1673, it is considered one of the three strangest bridges in Japan due to its unique structure and is also known as a famous bridge representing Japan. It is loved by many tourists for its beautiful scenery in each of the four seasons.
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is renowned for its picturesque streets, traditional Japanese architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Graceful willow trees line the banks of the Kurashiki River, their branches swaying gently in the breeze and casting reflections across the water. The contrast between white-plastered walls and distinctive black-and-white namako walls creates a striking lan...»
Itsukushima Shrine is located on Miyajima Island and is registered as a World Heritage Site. It enshrines the three Munakata Goddesses and was worshipped by the Heike clan. It was built in 593, and was worshipped by the Heike clan. The shrine was built in 593 and is characterized by its long corridor, which is an adaptation of the Heian-period shinden-zukuri style of shrine architecture. The thre...»
The Tottori Sand Dunes are among the largest coastal dune systems in Japan, offering a striking landscape that feels worlds away from the country's familiar cities and lush countryside. Formed over approximately 100,000 years, the dunes stretch across an area about 16 kilometers from east to west and 2 kilometers from north to south. Shaped by the wind, the sand creates ever-changing patterns, inc...»
One of the most famous limestone caves in the East, Akiyoshidai Cave is located 100 to 200 meters below the ground at the foot of Akiyoshidai Mountain.Of the total length of 10,300 meters, approximately 1 km is open to the public as a tourist route.It is the largest limestone cave in Japan. An underground river flows down for about 1 km from Kotogafuchi at the back of the cave to the cave mouth. ...»
Izumo Taisha is one of Japan’s most important and historic Shinto shrines, located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It is dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Okami, a major deity in Japanese mythology who is widely worshipped as a god of good relationships, happiness, and prosperity. With a history closely connected to the ancient Japanese chronicles Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Izumo Taisha is one of the be...»
This marble garden is located in the precincts of the temple Kosanji.It is 5,000 square meters in area, 25 meters in elevation, and 3,000 tons of marble from Carrara, Italy, is used for this environmental art. The hilltop overlooks the town of Setoda and the Seto Inland Sea, and the entire hill is dotted with more than 10 monuments of various sizes, including "Bishamonten" and "Koumei no To (Towe...»
Matsue Castle is one of Japan’s most important surviving feudal castles. Located in the heart of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, it is also known as Chidorijo, or “Plover Castle.” Built in the early 17th century, Matsue Castle is one of only 12 original castle towers remaining in Japan. The castle tower is designated as a National Treasure of Japan, while the castle grounds are designated as a N...»
This is one of the best wooden bridges in Japan, spanning the clear waters of the 200-meter-long Nishiki River.It is one of the three most famous bridges in Japan and one of the three most unusual bridges in Japan. The wooden bridge with five rows of arches is rare even in the world. It was built in 1673 during the Edo period by the lord of the Iwakuni domain. The bridge is 193.3 meters long and ...»
The Tsunoshima Ohhashi Bridge is one of the longest bridges (1,780 m) on a remote island in Japan that can be crossed free of charge. Straddling the cobalt blue Amagase, which is unique to this area, the bridge is the most scenic spot on the Nishinagato Coast, with its majestic appearance in harmony with the landscape....»
Designed by Czech architect Jan Retzl and opened in 1915. It is the former site of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, which once stood in the city's downtown area. The building has been permanently preserved to show the actual atomic bombing of August 6, 1945.It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996....»
Senkoji Temple is located in Senkoji Park, halfway up Senkoji Mountain. Senkoji Ropeway to the top of Senkoji Temple. The vermilion main hall and the Ryugu-zukuri bell tower are representative of Onomichi's scenery, and the giant and oddly shaped rocks, such as Jade Rock and Mie Rock, on which a shining pearl is said to have once been placed, are a must-see. According to temple legend, the templ...»
Hiroshima Castle was built by Terumoto Mori in 1589. The castle was called "Koi Castle," and the castle tower and other castle buildings survived until 1945, when the castle tower was completely destroyed by the atomic bomb. The castle tower and other castle buildings were reconstructed after 1958, and the castle is now a history museum that mainly introduces samurai culture. ◎Mouri Terumoto (15...»
The shrine stands on a basalt cape with sea-eroded terrain.The 123 vermilion torii gates stand in a row for more than 100 meters, creating a beautiful contrast between the red of the torii gates, the blue of the Sea of Japan, and the green of the surrounding vegetation. In the sea-eroded cave below the cliff, visitors can see the "tidal blast of Ryugu," a phenomenon in which seawater blows up hig...»
Tamatsukuri Onsen, located in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts, with a history stretching back more than 1,300 years. Closely connected with the mythology and culture of ancient Izumo, the hot spring has long been known as a sacred healing bath and a “beauty hot spring”. Today, Tamatsukuri Onsen remains one of the best-known hot spring destinations in the Sa...»
Korakuen Garden is a traditional Japanese landscape garden located in Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture. It is widely recognized as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Created in the early Edo period under the direction of Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of the Okayama Domain, the garden is a celebrated example of Genroku-era culture and has been designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the ...»
Okayama Castle is a historic castle in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture. Its distinctive black exterior has earned it the nickname Ujō, or “Crow Castle.” The original castle was completed in 1597. Although its main keep was destroyed during World War II, it was reconstructed in 1966 and now houses exhibition spaces introducing the castle’s history and culture. Located in the heart of Okayama City...»
Mizuki Shigeru Road is a unique sightseeing street in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, dedicated to the fascinating world of yokai—supernatural creatures and spirits from Japanese folklore. Stretching approximately 800 meters from Sakaiminato Station to the Mizuki Shigeru Museum, the street features 177 bronze statues of yokai, including the beloved characters from the famous manga series GeGeGe n...»
The Kurayoshi White-Walled Storehouse District is one of Tottori Prefecture's most atmospheric historic areas. Along the Tamagawa River, at the foot of Mount Utsubuki, traditional storehouses stand in a distinctive arrangement of red Sekishu roof tiles, white plaster walls, and blackened cedar boards. Together, these buildings create a beautifully preserved townscape that evokes the atmosphere of ...»