8 recommended classic sightseeing spots in the Hagi, Nagato, and Mine areas of Yamaguchi Prefecture
The northwestern area of Yamaguchi Prefecture is packed with recommended sightseeing spots, including spectacular scenery that has attracted the attention of overseas media and castle towns that are World Heritage sites. The routes connecting the various locations are popular as exhilarating driving courses. You will not only be impressed by the beauty of nature, but also be healed by mysterious power spots, see the faces of the samurai of the final days of the Tokugawa shogunate, and have a lot of fun. Here are eight classic spots that you should definitely visit.
1Akiyoshidai
Enjoy the panoramic view of nature! One of the largest karst plateaus in Japan
Akiyoshidai in Mine City (Mine-shi) is one of the most popular tourist spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Akiyoshidai is an impressive sight of white limestone rocks exposed like a "flock of sheep" in a grassy plain as far as the eye can see.
The limestone layers that form this "karst plateau" were originally coral reefs that existed in the sea near the equator about 350 million years ago. The movement of oceanic and continental plates brought them here, and millions of years of rain and groundwater erosion have brought them to their present state. The panoramic view from the observatory overlooking the magnificent scenery is a must-see.
It's a waste of time to just drive around! Feel the great nature of Akiyoshidai with your whole body.
A drive on the "Karst Road" that traverses Akiyoshidai is noteworthy for its supreme exhilaration. And we also recommend walking and cycling to fully enjoy nature with your whole body. At the Mine Akiyoshidai Geopark Center Karstar, a tourist base Property located next to the observatory, maps of the promenade maintained on the plateau are available, and rental bicycles are also available.
The trails vary from flat, easy-to-walk routes to rugged, undulating routes. The map also includes information on the highlights of the area and the time required to complete the trek, making it possible to take on the challenge of a full-scale trek.
- Akiyoshidai
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Akiyoshidaiyama, Akiyoshi-cho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
Approx. 45 min. by car from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Stn.
9:00-17:00 (Mine Akiyoshidai Geopark Center Karstar)
Bicycle rental service is available from 9:30 to 16:30.
Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays (Mine Akiyoshidai Geopark Center Karstar)
Rent a bike for 1,000 yen or more per day
0837-62-0115（Mine City Tourist Association)
Free of charge
2Akiyoshidou
You must be impressed by the mysterious sight. Limestone caves formed by nature over millions of years
The underground limestone formations that make up Akiyoshidai are home to more than 450 limestone caves of various sizes, which were formed by rainwater and groundwater erosion. The largest of these, Akiyoshidai Cave, is the second largest in Japan, with a total length of over 10.7 km.
The 1-kilometer stretch of this cave, with a height difference of about 40 meters, is open to the public as a sightseeing course, where stalactites formed in mysterious shapes along the underground water vein appear one after another. The appearance of the stalactites floating in the light is both artistic and mysterious. The temperature inside the cave is a constant 17°C throughout the year, making it a comfortable place to visit regardless of the season.
There are many highlights in the caves. Pay attention to the names of the stalactites!
The "Hyakkaidara" (one hundred plates), located about 300 meters from the entrance, is one of the most popular spots in the cave. The terraced rice-field-like shape of overlapping pools of various sizes was created by the repeated flow of water, deposition of lime components, and drying. The actual number of plates is more than 500, and the sight spread out before one's eyes is a sight to behold.
Other spots are also intriguingly named according to the shape and sequence of stalactites, such as "Sentatobashiki," "Koganebashira," "Kabasazukushi," and "Goten in May Rain. The names are all very intriguing, and if you actually see them in person, you will be amazed at the beauty of nature's formations.
- Shuho-do Cave
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- 3449-1 Akiyoshi, Akiyoshi-cho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
- 5 min. from Akiyoshidai Interchange on Ogori Hagi Road.
Take a bus from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station and get off at "Akiyoshidou".- 8:30-17:30 (16:30 from December to February)
- No holidays
- Adults 1,300 yen, junior high school students 1,050 yen, elementary school students 700 yen
- 0837-62-0115（Mine City Tourist Association)
- Charged
3Beppu Benten Pond
Mysterious pond with clear emerald green water
Beppu Itsukushima Shrine sits at the western foot of Akiyoshidai, a karst plateau. Beppu Benten Pond," which stretches across the shrine grounds, has 168 liters of water gushing out every second from the bottom of the pond, which is 4 meters deep at its deepest point. The clarity of the water and the beauty of its emerald green surface are impressive, and combined with its mysterious atmosphere, it is a popular photogenic spot.
The water temperature hardly changes throughout the year at 14 or 15℃, and the surrounding air is cool even in summer, making it a great place for cooling off. At the cafeteria on the grounds, visitors can enjoy trout dishes farmed in the spring water.
The delicious spring water is beneficial for "fortune" and "longevity. It is one of the most popular power spots in the prefecture.
The spring water in the pond has been selected as one of the "100 best waters" by the Ministry of the Environment as delicious water rich in minerals, especially calcium. Furthermore, there is a legend in the surrounding area that if you drink it, you will be blessed with wealth, and the more you drink, the longer your life span will be, making it one of the most popular power spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture. People gather here to enjoy the benefits of the spring water, which is highly efficacious.
There is a water-drawing station near the pond, and although there are many taps lined up, the place is so crowded with people that on holidays there is a waiting list for a turn.
- Beppu Benten Pond
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- 1951-2 Beppu, Akiyoshi-cho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
- Approximately 25 min. by car from Mine IC on Chugoku Expressway.
- Free of charge
- 0837-64-0203（Mine Trout Farm)
- Free of charge
4Kakunoshima Bridge
A spot with a spectacular view that is attracting nationwide attention as a must-visit destination.
Kakunoshima Bridge is located in Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki City, on the northwestern edge of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The bridge was completed in 2000 to connect Kakunoshima Island, located approximately 1.5 km offshore, to the mainland. The 1,780-meter-long bridge has quickly become one of the most popular spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy an exhilarating drive on the sea and the beautiful scenery of the 1,780-meter-long bridge and the ocean.
Amagase Park on the mainland side and the neighboring hilltops are the perfect viewing spots. When the sea is calm and the weather is clear, the transparency of the bridge's surroundings becomes even more pronounced, and you can see even more beautiful scenery than described in the tourist brochures.
Crossing a bridge with a spectacular view, there is an even more spectacular view. Sunset view is also recommended.
A five-minute drive across to Kakunoshima Island will take you to the edge of the island where you will find the Kakunoshima Lighthouse and Yumesaki Nami no Koen, one of only five first-class lighthouses in the country, completed in 1876 (9th year of Meiji era) and designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2020. At approximately 30 meters high, it is the third tallest stone lighthouse in Japan. The white granite Western-style structure blends beautifully with the horizon in front of you and the blue and green of the cape, providing a spectacular view that is different in atmosphere from that of the Kakunoshima Bridge. It is possible to climb to the top of the lighthouse (for a fee), and from the balcony you can see the entire island and far out to sea in the Sea of Japan. The sunset from the park is also a must-see.
- Kakunoshima Bridge
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- Kanda - Kakunoshima, Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
- Approximately 60 minutes by car from the Mine IC of the Chugoku Expressway.
- Free of charge
- 083-786-0234（Toyokita Town Tourist Association Tourist Information Center)
- Free of charge
Admission to Kakunoshima Lighthouse is 300 yen for junior high school students and older (9:00-17:00 *Oct-Feb: ~16:30)
5Motonosumi Shrine
The spectacular view of the torii gates stretching out from the sea has been featured in the American media.
Motonosumi Shrine in Yuya, Nagato City, is perched on a cliff that looms over the Sea of Japan. The mysterious sight of 123 torii gates rising from the sea toward the main shrine was broadcast to the world by the American broadcasting media CNN as one of the "Most Beautiful Places in Japan.
The rocky area beyond the torii gates is a spot known as "Ryugu no Ushiofuki," which is famous for the natural phenomenon of waves violently lapping against the rocks and blowing up through the gaps in the rocks in a misty mist. The more stormy the sea is, especially in winter, the more easily the tidal spray appears, and when exposed to Nikko, the mist can turn into a beautiful rainbow of colors.
Also popular as a power spot for good luck. Try making a wish at the airborne money box!
In addition to the mystical sight, the money offering box installed at the Otorii (Grand Gate) on the temple grounds has attracted much attention. The box is located in the center of the torii gate, about 5 meters above the ground, and if you are able to successfully throw money into the box, your wish will be fulfilled. Visitors to the shrine try one after another to make their wishes come true, but the difficulty level is quite high because the money box is purposely placed in a small size. Motonosumi Shrine offers a wide variety of benefits, such as prosperous business, academic achievement, traffic safety, good marriage, and fertility. Make a wish on a coin and try your hand at it.
- Motonosumi Shrine
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- 498 Aburatayatsukou, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
- Approximately 60 minutes by car from the Mine IC of the Chugoku Expressway.
- 5:30-17:30
- Free of charge
- 0837-26-0708（Michi no Eki Senza Kitchen Nagato City Tourist Information Center YUKUTE)
- Charged
- No entry at night
*Recommended car navigation setting to the shrine TEL0837-32-2003 (Dining Area Shiofu)
6Aomi Island
Alps on the sea with a series of spectacular views, including cliffs and oddly shaped rocks
Aomi Island is located just a stone's throw from Nagato City. In contrast to the calm scenery of the city side, which is dotted with quiet bays and villages, the Japan Sea side offers a series of cliffs and stone pillars protruding from the sea, creating a rugged landscape formed by the waves.
The spectacular view, also known as the "Maritime Alps," can be fully enjoyed from the "Aomi Island Nature Study Path," a promenade built on the cliffs. The path is approximately 1,900 meters long, with the horizon of the Sea of Japan in the distance and numerous oddly shaped rocks below.
A series of thrilling experiences. Touring the Alps on a cruise ship
The Alps can be enjoyed in a cruise boat operated by the Qinghai Island Tourist Steamship Company, which offers a powerful view of the Alps at sea. The boat will take you on a series of thrilling tours, including pulling up close to strange rocks and passing through caves that are just barely wide enough for the boat to pass through. The captain will guide you and give you explanations at each point of interest, which is also a nice feature.
The boarding area is next to Senza Kitchen, a roadside station in Senzaki, Nagato City. The basic course is a round-the-island tour, but the course may be changed or cancelled depending on weather and wave conditions. The operation status is posted every morning on the company's SNS, so it is best to check in advance.
- Aomi Island
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- Senzaki Shizuura, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 50 min. by car from the Mine IC of the Chugoku Expressway
- Take a bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at Senza Kitchen.
Take a bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at "Shizugaura". - Sightseeing boat (1 lap course) 2,200 yen for adults, 1,100 yen for elementary school students
- 0837-26-0708（Michi no Eki Senza Kitchen Nagato City Tourist Information Center YUKUTE)
0837-26-0834（Aomi Island Tourist Steamship) - (There is a charge for the Qinghai Island Nature Study Path, and the sightseeing boat uses Senza Kitchen's free parking lot.
- https://www.omijimakankoukisen.jp/ (Chekaishima Tourist Steamship)
7Hagi Castle Town
The castle town, a World Heritage Site, preserves the atmosphere of the Edo period (1603-1867)
From the early Edo period to the end of the Edo period, Hagi was the center of the Choshu domain (present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture) ruled by the Mori clan. The castle town section that was developed around Hagi Castle forms the present-day urban area, and visitors can enjoy walking around while looking at old maps and drawings of the time.
Buildings and earthen walls from those days still exist in many places, and in 2015 (Heisei 27), the area was registered as a World Heritage site. In addition to samurai residences and merchant houses, there are many spots where you can trace the faces of people who were active at the end of the Edo period and during the Meiji Restoration, such as the birthplace of Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro (Kido Takayoshi).
How to enjoy the castle town not only by visiting historical sites
The charm of Hagi Castle Town is not limited to history. One of the best ways to enjoy Hagi is to visit cafes, some of which are located in old townhouses or old private homes, others in vast Japanese gardens, and still others in the back of samurai residences, all of which have their own unique characteristics. In addition to cafes, there are also many other interesting places to visit, such as the "Hagi Museum's" summer orange soft serve ice cream.
New stores such as "Hagi Pudding Pavilion" and "Hagi Castle Town Beer MURATA" will open in 2021, and "Nero Bake," a store specializing in home-roasted coffee and baked goods, will open in 2022, attracting attention right away.
- Hagi Castle Town
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- Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
- Approximately 60 minutes by car from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station
- Take a bus from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station and get off at Hagi Meirin Center.
- 0838-25-1750（Hagi City Tourist Association)
- Charged
8Shoin Shrine
Shoin Shrine, dedicated to Shoin Yoshida, a charismatic figure among the Bakumatsu no Shishi (patriotic warriors at the end of the Edo period)
Yoshida Shoin was the mentor of such people as Takasugi Shinsaku, Ito Hirobumi, and Yamagata Aritomo, who became the driving force behind the Meiji Restoration at the "Shoukasonjuku". He was a Choshu clan member at the end of the Edo period who became their charismatic leader.
Shoin Shrine was built in 1907 as a shrine dedicated to Shoin, who lost his life in the Great Prison of Ansei (1858). Today, the shrine is not only a representative tourist spot in Hagi, but is also known as the god of academics in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and many students visit to pray for success in entrance examinations. Original amulets such as "Shi-Mamori" and "Shissei-Mamori" with characters and portraits written by Shoin are also popular.
Shoukason Juku, where you can feel the life of Shouin and the other samurai of the end of the Edo period.
The private school "Shoukasonjuku," which Shouin Yoshida opened, still exists in its original form within the shrine grounds, along with his parents' house where Shouin Yoshida was imprisoned (former residence of Yoshida Shouin's imprisonment). Although visitors cannot enter the building, they can see the space where Shoin's students studied and talked with him, and the shrine and its surroundings have a reputation as a power spot, as it was a gathering place of passionate people with great ambitions.
The "Shomon Shrine," dedicated to Shoin's students, is also located next to the main shrine, making it a truly sacred spot for history buffs of the final days of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
- Shoin Shrine
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- 1537 Tsubaki-higashi, Hagi, Yamaguchi MAP
- Approx. 20 min. walk from JR Higashi Hagi Stn.
- Free of charge
- 0838-22-4643
- Free of charge
- Matsukamurajuku is closed at night
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
- Naoka Takada Healing mood-maker
