Chugoku

The Shimanami Kaido is a must-do for nature and cycling lovers who travel to Japan. Let us give you an overview of a 3 day/2 night route of this beautiful bicycle tour!

Hiroshima is known all over the world as the first city that was subjected to the horrors of an atomic bomb. Learn more about Hiroshima’s history, and the legacy you can still see today.

Near Hiroshima, you can find the famous floating torii gate in Miyajima. Just this vision makes it worth a trip, but what else is there to do in Miyajima?

Okunoshima is better known as ‘rabbit island’ for its many cute furry inhabitants. Learn more about this animal-lovers paradise near Hiroshima!

While Hiroshima Castle isn’t the original castle, it is still worth a visit because of the interesting museum and beautiful reconstructed building. See what to expect of a visit!

Yamaguchi City is not a famous tourist destination, but there’s enough to see here. What would you think of a ride on a steam locomotive and a visit to some of the many historical temples?

The Akiyoshidai Plateau and Akiyoshi Cave are popular sightseeing spots for local tourists. The area is near Yamaguchi city, not so far from Hiroshima. Check out the pictures!

Hagi in western Japan is a nicely-preserved former castle town with traditional walls. Local Hagi pottery, ranked among Japan’s finest, makes for great souvenir shopping.

Besides the famous Okayama Korakuen garden and the reconstructed castle, there are some great museums and a nice bicycle opportunity nearby. Find out what there is to do in Okayama!

The preserved canal town of Kurashiki is a great place to visit if you want to be transported back in history. But there is more to do in this town, find out where to go!

Tsuwano in Shimane is a small castle town that prides itself on traditional arts, crafts, and literature. Find out what to see and do in this attractive town!

Sakaiminato is a small fishing town in Tottori Prefecture, but it attracts a lot of visitors from all over Japan. That is because famous cartoonist Shigeru Mizuki was born in this city.

Tomonoura is a nostalgic small fishing town in Hiroshima Prefecture that preserved its old area very well. It was also the inspiration for a Ghibli movie. Discover Tomonoura!

Many movies were shot in Onomichi, as it easily evokes nostalgic feelings with its winding slopes and traditional architecture. Find out what else makes this town worth a visit!

Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi City is the most popular museum in the Sanin region, which is no wonder with its award-winning garden. See why many people have this museum on their must-see list!

The remote Oki Islands are located in Shimane Prefecture, 50 km north from the mainland. Tourists like to go here because of the beautiful scenery and interesting history.

Mount Daisen, 1,729 meters high, is the highest mountain in Tottori Prefecture. There are great hiking courses and beautiful temples and shrines in the area.

Matsue is not a famous tourist destination, but it has plenty to offer. What to think of viewing Matsue Castle, doing a Horikawa cruise, or admiring the flowers in the Yushien Peony Garden?

It is estimated that in August 1945, about 6,500 people lived in the seven ‘cho’ (neighborhood units) in the Nakajima district. The first atomic bomb in history exploded directly over this area.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum lets its visitors learn about the devastation that followed after the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima. But the museum also wants to bring forth a message of peace.

The sand dunes of Tottori are giant dunes located on the coast of the city of Tottori along Japan’s western coast. They are part of the Sanin Kaigan National Park and offer some great activities!

Near Miyajima and Hiroshima, there is another town that many foreign tourists don’t know of but is worth a detour. Iwakuni is famous for its beautiful bridge and castle.

Izumo Taisha locates in the east of Shimane is dedicated to the Shinto God Okuninushi-no-Mikoto. This shrine is regarded as the shrine of marriage, and it is famous for its gigantic shimenawa rope.

The Great Seto Bridge links the islands of Honshu and Shikoku. It is one of the largest bridges in the world, and even visible from space! There are some points of interest near the bridge.

Motonosumi Inari Jinja in Yamaguchi prefecture attracts a lot of tourists because of its scenic beauty; the torii gates with the cape in the background are an amazing view!

The Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Products Exhibition Hall was almost directly below the hypocenter of the bomb, but somehow the framework of the building survived the explosion.