Chugoku Region 7 Days Itineary

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Hiroshima

The airport is the gateway to Chugoku & Shikoku area. First of all, please complete the reception procedure at the rental car counter at the airport. It takes about 5 minutes by free shuttle bus to the rental car company branch.

The mileage of this day is about 140 km, so you can travel at a normal pace. If you can leave by about 14:00, you can go to Kurashiki while sightseeing at some spots. If your flights arrive late at night, please consider staying at a hotel near the airport. 

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The next place to visit is [Senkoji Temple] in Onomichi City. Senkoji Temple is located on a hill at an altitude of 140 m, and from the precincts, you can see the city, Onomichi Port, and the Onomichi Channel where ships come and go.

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After leaving Senkoji Temple, head to Tomonoura, which is known as a location for various movies. It is one of the most scenic spots in the Seto Island Sea and is dotted with places related to Ryoma Sakamoto, a famous person in Japanese history.

In Tomonoura, please stop by [Homeishu Store] while enjoying a walk in a narrow alley. Beginning with the medicinal liquor made by soaking 16 kinds of herbs, the unique flavor becomes addictive.

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You will stay in Kurashiki on this day. 
In Kurashiki, hotels are concentrated between Kurashiki Station and the Bikan Historical Quarter, but it is recommended to stay as close to the Historical Quarter as possible. Enjoy a fantastic night walk in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.

Your last visit on this day was [Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter].
Traditional white-walled buildings, a quaint Kurashiki River, willows, and bridges harmonize beautifully, leaving the beauty of a good old Japanese town and making you want to walk for hours. In addition, it is a town full of various attractions, such as the Ohara Museum of Art.

The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is an overwhelmingly spectacular place among the many old townscapes in Japan. However, many shops close around 17:00, so if you want to spend more time in Kurashiki, make sure to arrive by around 14:00.

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The mileage is about 170 kilometers. Because of the long drive, it is recommended to drive on the expressway when GPS advises it. 
If you haven’t walked around Kurashiki’s historical district, let’s walk before you leave Kurashiki.

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Fukiya was the first town in Japan to succeed in producing Bengala (Red Iron Oxide, which is one of the red pigments and abrasives), and it prospered as the major production center in Japan. Walking through the street is almost like going back in time as many of the houses have been beautifully preserved.

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The next spot is Ikurado Cave. It is a limestone cave with a total length of 1200 m, and there is a big waterfall that is 50 m inside. Make sure you have shoes that can grip on wet stones or pavement.

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You are about halfway through today’s itinerary. If you feel tired, why don’t you stop at a roadside station? It is called “Michinoeki” in Japanese and there are restaurants, shops with many local products, and toilets.

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Before you reach Tottori, there is Ishitani Residence. 
This old residence was owned by the same family for generations. The gardens are impeccably kept by a third-generation gardener.

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If it is not dark yet, let’s pass through Tottori city and visit the Tottori Sand Dune, the symbol of Tottori. You can enjoy sunsets over the dunes and the sea.

If you don’t have time, please don’t worry. You can visit tomorrow morning.

On this day you will stay in Tottori. Many restaurants open till night.

Tottori’s specialty is oyster summer and snow crab in winter.
It is recommended to book your hotel without dinner and try local restaurants around your inn.

Grilled snow crab

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The mileage for this day about 150km, which is standard, and there are so many things to see. So if you want to stop by at many spots, we recommend that you start early.

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If you drive for about an hour from Tottori, you will find [Kurayoshi Shirakabe Storehouses Town]. You can enjoy a walk in the nice atmosphere of the old storehouses. Lunch here is also a good idea as there are many restaurants.

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Tottori is famous for the production of high-quality pears. At this museum, you can learn and eat very delicious pears.

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You will then head towards Daisen. [Kagikake Pass Observatory] is the most recommended observatory in Daisen. The autumn leaves in particular are wonderful. We recommend that you visit there.

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The most recommended site of the day is [Adachi Museum of Art]. It has been selected as No. 1 in the American Japanese garden magazine since 2003, and its beauty is superb. This is a must-see even for those who are not interested in gardens.
The collection of Taikan Yokoyama, a major Japanese painter, is also worth seeing.

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If you can arrive in Matsue city before the sun sets, stop by the best spot in the setting sun [Lake Shinji] before heading to the hotel.

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On this day you will stay in Matsue.
Matsue’s specialties include Taimeshi (rice with minced sea bream), Izumo soba, and Shijimijiru (freshwater clam soup) at Lake Shinji.

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The mileage is about 150 km, and it is a day with many spectacular sightseeing spots such as Matsue Castle, Izumo Grand Shrine, and Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Village.
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Village, in particular, can be time-consuming, so an early morning departure is strongly advised. 

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First thing in the morning, go to Matsue Castle, the symbol of Matsue. It is a wonderful castle known as the original castle tower.

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It takes about an hour from Matsue to arrive at the Izumo Grand Shrine].
Along with Ise Jingu, it is the most important shrine in Japan. This is the biggest attraction in the Sanin Region and is an overwhelming sight.

Inasa Beach, only 1 km west of the shrine, is also worth a visit. 

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If you drive from Izumo on the expressway (E9) for about 50 km for about 1 hour, you will reach the World Heritage Site [Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Village].

The following parking lots are recommended:
①2nd Free Parking
MAPCODE: 599 144 182*37
②1st Free Parking
MAPCODE: 599 113 262*56

Please refer Google town map below.

Please refer Google town map below.
The process of refining silver requires large quantities of timber. In spite of this Iwami Ginzan Silber Mine is considered a “Suitable Industrial Historic site”, as it kept the environment in consideration during the production of silver.
(You need to walk 4 kilometers from the parking lot to the mine shaft)

The town of Omori at the foot of the mountain is worth seeing. You can enjoy a stroll through the mansion with its hidden storehouse used for silver trading and the wonderful townscape. We also recommend lunch at a cafe that has been renovated from an old farmhouse.

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On this day you will stay in Hamada town.

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The mileage is about 130 km, and it is not a busy day. 
However, if you would like to visit “Akiyoshidai Karst Observatory (秋吉台カルスト展望台)” and “Akiyoshido Limestone Cave (秋芳洞),” it is hard and highly recommended to depart before 8:00.

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The first destination of the day is a Japanese garden. 
Sesshu (1420–1502) was a Buddhist monk who is famous for painting and gardens. And there are three gardens and his museum.
The above mapcode is for Manpukuji Temple, and please refer to the map below for other gardens.

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It is about 35 km to the next destination, “Tsuwano Old Town”. Tsuwano, the day’s highlight, is a very beautiful old town with a moat where carp swim. There are Japanese-style Catholic churches that are worth visiting.

Another highlight of this day is “Taikodani Inari Shrine(太皷谷稲成神社)”. It is an undiscovered, very beautiful red shrine located on the hill, and you can look down on Tsuwano Town. The shrine also has a red torii gate tunnel with 263 steps. If you are fine walking, it is a great experience to walk from Tsuwano town to the shrine and to try to climb it.

14:45 
Tsuwano to Yamaguchi is about 50 kilometers away and takes about an hour. 
This roadside station is located just in the middle and is a suitable place to take a rest.

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The last destination is Rurikoji Temple in Yamaguchi City, where you will stay this day. 
It is a historic five-story pagoda with the Buddhism temple that represents Yamaguchi, and you will be impressed whenever you come.

You will stay in Yamaguchi City on this day. There are “Yuda Onsen(湯田温泉)” areas located 2 km west of Yamaguchi station, and you can enjoy ryokan with an onsen.

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It is a little tough but recommended get up early as possible to ensure you have enough time for sightseeing. 

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The first destination of this day is “Mori Garden & Museum.” 
This garden is a model of Japanese garden design in the 19th and 20th centuries. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere from the bridge over Hyotan Pond. Carefully trimmed shrubs and well-arranged rocks convey timeless elegance. It is one of the best places in Yamaguchi to watch the leaves turn colors during the autumn season and the cherry blossoms in the spring.

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Then you will head to Kintaikyo Bridge, one of the three famous bridges in Japan. This bridge has five arches and is a rare wooden arch bridge in the world where no nails are used.

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Miyajima Island, which is famous for its World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine, is the highlight of this day. A vermilion-painted Otorii gate that juts out into the sea is famous as Japan’s icon.

You need to take a ferry to the island. There are many parking lots at the ferry terminal, but the parking lot indicated by the MAPCODE is recommended.
There are two ferries, the JR West Ferry and the Matsudai Ferry. Both of them are almost the same, but if you want to visit Mt. Misen, Matsudai ferry and ropeway combination tickets are recommended.

Around the shrine, there are many attractions such as Senjokaku (Toyokuni Shrine) and Omotesando Shopping Street.

Another highlight of Miyajima is climbing Mt. Misen. At the top of the mountain, there are many natural giant rocks and unusual stones. You can also enjoy the view of Itsukushima Shrine and the Seto Inland Sea from the 360-degree panoramic observatory.

Miyajima is also a famous spot for autumn leaves in the Chugoku region. Miyajima Momijidani Park, a 5-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine, is located at the foot of the Misen Primitive Forest, and during the season (end of October–end of November), about 700 autumn leaves color the park.

On this day, you are staying in Hiroshima, following the previous day. Please relax and enjoy the night in Hiroshima.

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The mileage is about 50 km, and it takes 1 hour to get to the airport.

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If you haven’t been to [the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park] yet, be sure to visit. 
It takes about 30 minutes to walk around the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Park, and at least an hour for the museum.

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If you have time before your flight, Hattendo Village, located next to the airport, is nice to stop by. 
A famous bakery that sells cream-filled rolls 
Here are many attractions such as miniature ponies, athletic playground equipment, and photo spots.

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This is the end of this road trip.

When you return your car, refuel and then return the car to the car rental branch. Please check the MAPCODE for gas station.