In this article, we will suggest a two-day, one-night model itinerary that is perfect for first-time visitors to Yamaguchi Prefecture, where you can enjoy the prefecture's must-see spots and local delicacies. We hope you will enjoy a trip that allows you to fully experience the charms of Yamaguchi.
*Prices include tax.
Day 1: Enjoy the classic tourist spots and gourmet food of the eastern and central regions
Using Yamaguchi Ube Airport as a base for your trip, the first day will feature popular tourist spots and local cuisine. You will travel from Iwakuni City in the east, located on the border with Hiroshima Prefecture, to the central area including Yamaguchi City. Yamaguchi Prefecture's famous spots are scattered to the north, south, east and west, so we recommend renting a car to get around the entire prefecture. This is the start of a packed Yamaguchi trip with stunning views, gourmet food, and hot springs.
Taste Yamaguchi's specialty "Kawara Soba" at "Bancha-ya"

First, fill your stomach with Yamaguchi Prefecture's representative soul food, Kawara soba.
We head to Banchaya, about a 15-minute drive from Yamaguchi Ube Airport. Kawara soba is a traditional dish of green tea soba noodles, shredded egg, beef, etc. served on a hot tile. One theory is that it began when samurai, during long battles, heated nearby tiles to use as cooking utensils and grilled meat and vegetables to eat.

Banchaya has two stores in Yamaguchi Prefecture and is popular with locals for its hearty yet reasonably priced set meals.

The vibrant colors of the green tea soba noodles and shredded egg, along with the sizzling, fragrant aroma of the noodles, will whet your appetite. As a Japanese tea specialty store, they are particular about the green tea soba noodles, using chewy noodles that turn a beautiful green color when cooked.

The sweet and spicy beef is topped with thickly sliced lemon and other condiments. Dip it in the warm noodle soup and add condiments such as grated maple leaf to taste, enjoying the different flavors as you eat. The soba is grilled before being placed on the tile, so you can enjoy the different textures, with a crispy surface and a chewy center.
Restaurant Bancha-ya Ube branch
address | : | 3-8-28 Nakamura, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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phone | : | 0836-22-5193 |
business hours | : | 11:00~21:00 |
Regular Holiday | : | Tuesday |
web | : | http://www.banchaya.jp/ |
About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
Take a stroll around Kintai Bridge, famous for its beautiful arch

We arrived at one of the most popular spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni City. This beautiful wooden bridge with five arches was built by Hiroyoshi Yoshikawa, the third lord of Iwakuni.


It is also known as one of Yamaguchi's leading photo spots, and is filled with seasonal colors, including cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, glossy autumn leaves in autumn, and the rare appearance of snow in winter. The illuminated scenery at night is also spectacular, offering a completely different atmosphere from the daytime.
The area around Kintaikyo Bridge is dotted with spots where you can feel the history of Iwakuni Domain, so if you have the chance, you should visit them as well. We also recommend taking the ropeway from Sanroku Station, about a 5-minute walk from Kintaikyo Bridge, to enjoy the view from Shiroyama, where Iwakuni Castle is located, at an altitude of about 200m.

There are several observation decks on the summit, from which you can see not only the Kintai Bridge, Nishiki River, and the old castle town, but also the islands of the Seto Inland Sea in the distance on a clear day. The view from the castle tower of Iwakuni Castle is also spectacular, so be sure to visit that as well.
Kintai Bridge
address | : | Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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phone | : | 0827-29-5116(岩国市観光振興課) |
business hours | : | 24 hours (lights off after 22:00) |
Fee | : | Adults 310 yen, elementary school students 150 yen/ Set ticket (round trip to Kintai Bridge, Iwakuni Castle Ropeway, Iwakuni Castle): 970 yen for adults, 460 yen for elementary school students |
web | : | https://kankou.iwakuni-city.net/kintaikyo.html |
Approximately 35 minutes by car
Search for rare souvenirs at Dassai Store Headquarters Brewery

Iwakuni City is home to Asahi Shuzo, the brewery that produces Dassai, a famous sake from Yamaguchi. The Dassai Store Headquarters Brewery, located near the headquarters, is a must-see spot for sake lovers, where you can enjoy a tour of the brewery (reservations required in advance) and ice cream made with Dassai sake lees while driving.

Dassai has many fans around the world due to its fruity sweetness and refreshing drinkability, and is an extremely popular brand that sells out every time it arrives.

At the Dassai Store Headquarters, which is attached to the Asahi Shuzo headquarters, you can try out rare products such as Dassai, sake, Dassai shochu, and trial sets that allow you to compare different types of sake. They also sell sweets that are perfect as souvenirs, such as Dassai chocolate.

Dassai Store Honsha Brewery is packed with interesting items, but one thing you should definitely try is Dassai Ice Cream. The aroma of sake lees that wafts through your nose and the rich flavor are sure to become addictive. They also have sake lees sorbet, which is completely alcohol-free, so drivers can eat it with peace of mind.
Dassai Store Head Office Brewery
address | : | 2128 Osakosh, Shuto-cho, Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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phone | : | 0827-86-0800 |
business hours | : | 9:00〜17:00 |
Regular Holiday | : | New Year's Day |
web | : | https://www.asahishuzo.ne.jp/store/yamaguchi.html |
About 1 hour 40 minutes by car
Dinner with a sunset view at Sol Poniente, a restaurant designed by Kengo Kuma

Next, we head to Sanyo Onoda City, next to Ube City where the airport is located. We head to Sol Poniente, where you can enjoy the combination of a beautiful sunset and dinner.

From the glass-walled restaurant facing the sea, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sea turning orange. This beautiful building, with its elaborately designed sun reflections, is a work of art called "Sea/Filter (2001)" created by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma.

Kirara Beach, where Sol Poniente is located, is a famous sunset spot that has been selected as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan. It is a comfortable space where you can feel the change of the seasons and nature.

This restaurant is also well-known for its menu that makes the most of the freshness of its ingredients, and offers a variety of course menus, including its original seafood paella. It's a great place to spend a luxurious time watching the beautiful sunset at the end of the day.
Sol Poniente
address | : | Kirara Beach Yakono, Sanyo Onoda City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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phone | : | 0836-89-0080 |
business hours | : | <lunch> Weekdays 11:30-15:30 (L.O. 14:30) Weekends and holidays: 11:00-15:30 (last orders 14:30) <dinner> February to October 17:30 to 21:30 (last orders 20:30) November to January 17:00-21:30 (Last Orders 20:30) |
Regular Holiday | : | Mondays and Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Mondays and Tuesdays are public holidays) |
web | : | https://sol-poniente.co.jp/ |
Approximately 50 minutes by car
Relieve your travel fatigue at Yuda Onsen

For lodging, we went to "Yuda Onsen" in Yamaguchi City, which has long been known as a "beautiful skin hot spring." The highly alkaline water is soft and blends well with the skin, and is reputed to have the effect of making the skin smooth. The hot spring town is lined with restaurants and cafes, and is one of the busiest shopping districts in Yamaguchi.

Yuda Onsen is a hot spring with a long history, said to have existed for about 800 years.
Legend has it that a long time ago, a temple priest discovered an injured white fox dipping its paws in the water to heal its wounds. When he scooped up the water, he realized it was a warm hot spring, and that's how Yuda Onsen began.

In the surrounding area, you will find fox-related ornaments and foot baths, making it a convenient place to relax and unwind after your trip.
The restaurant also has strong ties to many of the Meiji Restoration patriots who were active at the end of the Edo period, and there are stories of Takasugi Shinsaku, Ito Hirobumi, Sakamoto Ryoma and others frequently visiting and drinking at the restaurant.
Relax and soothe your fatigue at Yuda Onsen, a hot spring beloved by many great people, and prepare for the second day.
Yuda Onsen
address | : | Yuda Onsen, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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phone | : | 083-920-3000 |
web | : | https://yudaonsen.com/ |
Day 2: Sea and mountains! Enjoy the magnificent nature to the fullest
On the second day, we will visit Shimonoseki, the westernmost point of Honshu, and Akiyoshidai in the central part of the island. Yamaguchi is also a treasure trove of photo spots. There are many attractions, such as shrines overlooking the beautiful sea, cobalt blue driving roads, and karst plateaus that have been created over many years. In Shimonoseki, you can enjoy fresh seafood caught locally to your heart's content and feel the natural blessings of the sea and mountains.
Pray for good fortune at the power spot "Motonosumi Shrine"
On the second day, we drive further west. Our first destination is Motonosumi Shrine, which boasts a spectacular view that has attracted worldwide attention.

The highlight of this shrine, which is said to grant blessings such as prosperity in business, good catches, and safety at sea, is the 123 torii gates lined up over 100 meters. The contrast between the blue sea and the red torii gates is a vivid sight to behold. If you take a photo from the hilltop, you can capture the spectacular view in one shot.

There is a donation box at the top of the 6m-tall torii gate inside the shrine grounds. It is said that if your offering falls into this box, your wish will come true, so be sure to give it a try.
Motonosumi Shrine
address | : | 498 Yuyatsuki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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phone | : | 0837-26-0708(長門市観光案内所YUKUTE) |
Opening hours | : | 5:30~17:30 |
web | : | https://www.motonosumi.com/ |
Approximately 40 minutes by car
Photogenic and scenic spot "Tsunoshima"

Tsunoshima is an island located in the northwest of Shimonoseki City, and is about an hour's drive from downtown Shimonoseki. Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge, which has been used in TV commercials and TV dramas, is also famous as a photo spot with its magnificent view of the bridge spanning the cobalt blue strait, the white sand beach, and the blue sea.
When the weather is nice, it's nice to walk or cycle across while feeling the sea breeze. If you want to take photos, Amagase Park on the Honshu side and Sezakiyo Park on the Tsunoshima side are popular spots.

Tsunoshima Island, located at the end of the Tsunoshima Bridge, also has many must-see scenic spots, such as Makizaki Kaze no Park and Tsunoshima Lighthouse. The island is compact, at just 4 square kilometers, so you can enjoy a stroll from one end to the other.
Tsunoshima
address | : | Tsunoshima, Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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web | : | https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/spot/detail_11030.html |
Approximately 1 hour by car
Enjoy fresh seafood at Karato Market

For lunch on the second day, we went to Karato Market, which faces the Kanmon Straits in Shimonoseki. Karato Market is a wholesale market where fresh fish caught in nearby waters, including Shimonoseki's specialty pufferfish, is gathered, making it a rare market in Japan in that it is open to the general public even as a shop.
If you're here, why not try the food stall event "Ikiiki Bagangai," which takes place every weekend and on public holidays? At this event, you can enjoy delicious gourmet food made with fresh seafood, including seafood bowls, fries, and sushi.

You can choose your favorite topping for each piece of sushi, and at the fugu specialty restaurant, you can enjoy fried fugu and fugu soup at reasonable prices, and you can enjoy delicious food at a great price only on weekends and holidays. If you sit on the benches outside and eat while looking out at the Kanmon Straits, you will feel even more like you have come to Shimonoseki.
Enjoy shopping and gourmet seafood in the lively "Kitchen of Shimonoseki."
Karato Market
address | : | 5-50 Karatocho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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phone | : | 083-231-0001 |
business hours | : | Monday to Saturday 4:00 to 15:00, Sundays and public holidays 8:00 to 15:00 <Ikiki Bakangai> Friday and Saturday 10:00-15:00, Sunday and public holidays 8:00-15:00 |
Regular Holiday | : | Irregular holidays |
web | : | https://www.karatoichiba.com |
Approximately 1 hour by car
Experience the eternal flow of time at Akiyoshidai

After enjoying the coastline, let's experience the grandeur of nature in the mountains. The final destination on our Yamaguchi trip is Akiyoshidai, one of the largest karst plateaus in Japan. Akiyoshidai, where white limestone peeks out from the grasslands as far as the eye can see, is a spot where you can feel the breath of the earth. The limestone that makes up this magnificent landscape is said to have been born as a coral reef in the southern seas, and then formed into the current karst plateau over the long period of time of about 350 million years.
After enjoying the overwhelming natural beauty of the Karst Road that runs through the vast grasslands, head to Akiyoshi Cave.

Beneath Akiyoshidai there is a huge limestone cave formed by erosion of limestone by rainwater and groundwater. Akiyoshi Cave, designated as a Special Natural Monument, has a total length of over 11 km.

The sightseeing course is about 1 km long and can be explored in about an hour. You will be amazed by the mysterious natural formations you will encounter.
Akiyoshidai
address | : | Akiyoshi, Akiyoshicho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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web | : | https://karusuto.com |
Akiyoshi Cave
address | : | 3449-1 Akiyoshi, Akiyoshicho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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Yamaguchi Prefecture is full of photogenic scenic spots and delicious cuisine. You can cover everything in just one night and two days, so it's also recommended for a weekend getaway. Enjoy a fulfilling time in the charming Yamaguchi Prefecture.
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.