Yamaguchi Prefecture is located at the western edge of Honshu, surrounded by the sea on three sides, boasting magnificent seascapes and diverse natural wonders. Beyond its captivating ocean views, this area is home to awe-inspiring caves, nightscapes, and iconic landmarks! Below, we introduce must-visit attractions in Yamaguchi Prefecture, including the Instagram-famous Tsunoshima Bridge and Japan’s largest limestone cave, Akiyoshido.
Tsunoshima Bridge
Tsunoshima Bridge, stretching 1,780 meters, connects mainland Honshu to Tsunoshima Island in the Sea of Japan, making it one of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s most stunning attractions. Frequently featured on social media and in advertisements, it’s a true “photo hotspot.”
Driving across the bridge feels like gliding over the sea, with crystal-clear blue waters in full view. You can also opt to cycle or walk to savor the scenery at a leisurely pace.
Want to capture the bridge’s full grandeur? Head to the Amagase Park on the mainland side or the Sezaki Park on the Tsunoshima side for breathtaking views of the white bridge contrasting against the cobalt-blue sea!
- Tsunoshima Bridge (角島大橋)
- Address: Shimonoseki City, Hohoku-cho, Kanda to Tsunoshima, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Access:
- Train: From JR San’in Main Line Takibe Station, take a bus toward Tsunoshima (approx. 35 minutes).
- Car: Approx. 1 hour from Chugoku Expressway Ozuki IC or Mine IC.
Akiyoshido Cave
Akiyoshido Cave, located within the karst plateau of Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, is Japan’s largest limestone cave, extending 100 meters underground and spanning 11.2 kilometers. Designated a National Natural Monument, it’s a must-see natural wonder.
About 1 kilometer of the cave is open for tourists, allowing you to stroll through naturally formed spectacles. The most striking feature is the 15-meter-tall “Golden Pillar,” an awe-inspiring formation.
The cave has three entrances, but first-time visitors are recommended to start at the Akiyoshido Information Center. The cave maintains a constant 17°C, so bring a jacket to stay warm!
- Akiyoshido Cave (秋芳洞)
- Address: Mine City, Akiyoshi-cho, Akiyoshi, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Operating Hours:
- March–November: 8:30–17:30
- December–February: 8:30–16:30
- Access:
- Train: From JR Tokaido Shinkansen or Sanyo Main Line Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take a Bocho Bus to Akiyoshido Bus Center, then walk to the cave.
- Car: Approx. 5 minutes from Ogori Hagi Road Akiyoshidai IC or 20 minutes from Chugoku Expressway Mine IC.
Kaikyo Yume Tower
Kaikyo Yume Tower stands at the Kanmon Straits, separating Honshu from Kyushu, and is an iconic landmark of the region.
This 153-meter-tall tower features the world’s first fully glass spherical observation deck, located at 143 meters, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the Kanmon Straits, Shimonoseki City, Seto Inland Sea, Sea of Japan, and Ganryujima Island.
At dusk, the city lights blend with the sunset, creating a dreamy scene. Open until 9:30 PM, it’s a perfect spot for a romantic date!
- Kaikyo Yume Tower (海峡ゆめタワー)
- Address: 3-3-1 Buzenda-machi, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 9:30–21:30 (last entry 21:00)
- Access:
- Train: Approx. 7-minute walk from JR Sanyo Main Line or San’in Main Line Shimonoseki Station.
- Car: Approx. 15 minutes from Chugoku Expressway Shimonoseki IC.
Kintaikyo Bridge
Built in 1673, Kintaikyo Bridge spans approximately 200 meters and is one of Japan’s three most famous bridges. Its unique five-arched wooden structure is exceptionally rare worldwide.
Spanning the clear waters of the Nishiki River, this arched bridge is renowned for its seasonal beauty. From late March to early April, around 1,500 cherry blossom trees bloom around the bridge, creating a stunning scene with the bridge, river, and blossoms.
During limited-time evening illuminations, the bridge’s arches reflect on the Nishiki River, offering a perfect opportunity for breathtaking photos!
- Kintaikyo Bridge (錦帯橋)
- Address: Iwakuni 1, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 8:00–17:00
- Access:
- Train: From JR Tokaido Shinkansen Shin-Iwakuni Station, take an Iwakuni Bus to Kintaikyo Bus Stop, then walk to the bridge.
- Car: Approx. 10 minutes from Sanyo Expressway Iwakuni IC.
Susa Hornfels
Susa Hornfels, located along the Susa Bay coast at the eastern end of Kita-Nagato Coast Quasi-National Park, is a 12-meter-tall rock formation, recognized as one of Japan’s 100 most fascinating geological sites.
Formed by magma heat approximately 15 million years ago, this rock offers stunning views of the Sea of Japan from the cliff top. You can also walk along a corridor to the cliff base to closely admire the alternating black-and-white horizontal stripes of sand and clay.
From May to October, we recommend taking the Susa Bay Sightseeing Boat to enjoy the panoramic view of the exposed rocky cliffs while gently swaying on the waves!
- Susa Hornfels (須佐ホルンフェルス)
- Address: Susa, Takayama North Coast, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Access:
- Train: Approx. 1-hour walk from JR San’in Main Line Susa Station.
- Car: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes from Ogori Hagi Road Edo IC.
Beppu Benten Pond
Beppu Benten Pond is a mystical emerald-colored spring, with groundwater sourced from the Akiyoshidai karst plateau, just a 15-minute drive from Akiyoshido Cave. Recognized as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waters by the Ministry of the Environment, its high transparency reveals a crystal-clear bottom. The water is potable, and you can fill up at a water station near the parking lot!
Legend has it that drinking this water grants longevity and treasures. Bring a plastic bottle to not only admire the enchanting scenery but also taste the pristine spring water.
- Beppu Benten Pond (別府弁天池)
- Address: Beppu, Akiyoshi-cho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Access:
- Car: Approx. 20 minutes from Chugoku Expressway Mine IC or Ogori Hagi Road Juumonji IC.
Hinoyama Park
Hinoyama Park is located at the 268-meter summit of Hinoyama in Shimonoseki City, built on the site of a former artillery battery, with remnants of gun emplacements and ammunition depots still visible.
Accessible by cable car or car, the park offers stunning views of the Kanmon Bridge, Seto Inland Sea, and Sea of Japan, with dazzling night views of Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu after dark.
In spring, the park’s Turkish Tulip Garden blooms with approximately 40,000 tulips and violets, complemented by 1,000 cherry blossom trees and the majestic Kanmon Straits scenery.
- Hinoyama Park (火の山公園)
- Address: Mimosusogawa-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Access:
- Bus: From JR Shimonoseki Station, take a Sanden Kotsu Bus (toward Kokumin Shukusha-mae), get off at Hinoyama Ropeway Station, and walk approx. 30 minutes.
- Car: Approx. 15 minutes from Chugoku Expressway Shimonoseki IC.
Takayama Summit Observatory
Takayama, located on Suo-Oshima, stands at 618 meters and is nicknamed “Oshima Fuji” for its graceful shape, also known as the “Hawaii of the Seto Inland Sea.”
The Takayama Summit Observatory offers a panoramic view of the eastern part of the island and the many islands of the Seto Inland Sea, with the sunrise painting the sky in vibrant orange hues, an unforgettable sight.
The observatory also serves as a takeoff point for hang gliders and paragliders, with no barriers, providing an unobstructed view of the dramatic natural landscape below.
- Takayama Summit Observatory (嵩山山頂展望台)
- Address: Higashi Yasuoka-sho, Suo-Oshima-cho, Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Access:
- Car: Approx. 1 hour from Sanyo Expressway Kuga IC.
Ichinomata Sakura Park
Ichinomata Sakura Park, near Ichinomata Onsen, is known as the “inner sanctum” of the Kanmon region. The pond and underwater forest near the parking lot have become a social media sensation in recent years, dubbed the “Blue Mist Koi Pond” for its remarkable clarity. On windless days, you can see the reflection of the underwater forest, while misty days create an ethereal atmosphere.
The best time to take photos is when koi fish swim through the underwater forest and approach you, creating a striking contrast of colors between the fish and the pond.
- Ichinomata Sakura Park (一の俣桜公園)
- Address: Ichinomata, Toyota-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Access:
- Car: Approx. 45 minutes from Chugoku Expressway Ozuki IC.
Harumi Waterfront Park
Harumi Waterfront Park, located along the coast of Shunan City in southeastern Yamaguchi Prefecture, sits at sea level, with palm trees creating a tropical ambiance. Across the water lies a vast industrial zone, where the scenery of palm trees and smoking chimneys unexpectedly harmonizes.
The park’s highlight is its nighttime industrial landscape, certified as a Japan Night View Heritage. The sea reflects the lights of petrochemical complexes and factories, creating a romantic atmosphere that makes it a popular date spot.
- Harumi Waterfront Park (晴海親水公園)
- Address: 6-3 Harumi-cho, Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Access:
- Train: Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Tokaido Shinkansen or Sanyo Main Line Tokuyama Station.
- Car: Approx. 15 minutes from Sanyo Expressway Tokuyama-Higashi IC.
Yamaguchi Prefecture is a treasure trove of scenic beauty, surrounded by seas and mountains. It offers a wealth of attractions, from seasonal blooms to majestic limestone caves and rock formations, to nightscapes that resemble an overturned jewelry box!
