Yamaguchi City has become a hot topic after being selected as one of the "52 Places to Go in 2024" by the New York Times. The city's charm is now spreading worldwide. In this article, we will introduce the rediscovered attractions of Yamaguchi following this selection, as well as the future initiatives and prospects.
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What Kind of Place is Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture like?
Located at the westernmost tip of Honshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture is blessed with a warm climate, rich culture, and history, offering new attractions with every visit. Situated in a naturally abundant area with the sea nearby and the Chugoku Mountains to the east and west, it boasts a wealth of gourmet delights. Being close to both the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan means you can enjoy fresh seafood at any time, making it a place where you can relish both sea and mountain delicacies.
Yamaguchi City, located in the center of the prefecture, faces the Seto Inland Sea to the south. From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, which is serviced by the Shinkansen, it's about a 20-minute ride on the JR Yamaguchi Line to the city center, making access excellent. The central shopping district of Yamaguchi City transforms in August, with red lanterns adorning the streets, creating an enchanting night. This is for the Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival, one of Japan's three major fire festivals and a quintessential summer event in Yamaguchi City.
Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Yamaguchi City
Following its selection, the tourism slogan "Oidemase Yamaguchi e" has been revamped. The new slogan is "Oidemase Fuku no Kuni, Yamaguchi."
The local specialty, "fugu" (blowfish), is also called "fuku" (happiness), and is considered a good luck charm that brings happiness. With its breathtaking scenery, experiences, and gourmet food, Yamaguchi aims to become "Fuku no Kuni, Yamaguchi," a land full of happiness, bringing unparalleled joy to visitors from around the world.
National Treasure Rurikoji Five-Storied Pagoda (Kozan Park)
One of Yamaguchi's most scenic spots, the Ruriko-ji Five-Storied Pagoda, is designated as a National Treasure and is counted among Japan's three most famous pagodas. The pagoda presents a different appearance with each season, offering stunning views with flowers in spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and beautiful night illuminations. Kozan Park, where the pagoda is located, is also known for its cherry blossoms and plum trees and can be explored in about an hour and a half.
Currently, the Ruriko-ji Five-Storied Pagoda is undergoing renovations for the first time in about 70 years, with completion expected in March 2026. One interesting feature is the partially transparent exterior sheets, allowing visitors to still appreciate its beauty during the renovation process. Additionally, a monitor displays footage of the renovation work, giving visitors a rare glimpse into the restoration efforts.
👉Recommended Leisure Activities and Sightseeing Information in Yamaguchi
Tsunoshima Bridge
Perhaps the most famous scenic spot in Yamaguchi is Tsunoshima Bridge. Crossing the bridge takes you to a small island surrounded by white sandy beaches and emerald blue waters. Tsunoshima, featured in many movies and TV dramas, offers various leisure activities such as fishing and camping throughout the year. The Tsunoshima Ohama Campground, where you can enjoy breathtaking ocean views right from your tent, and the Tsunoshima Ohama Beach, known for its crystal-clear waters, attract many tourists and locals each year.
The island's symbol, the Tsunoshima Lighthouse, boasts 105 spiral steps leading to a panoramic view of the beautiful sea and the island. Additionally, both the Makizaki and Yumegasaki areas are perfect for strolling, as they are parks with lovely walking paths.
Scattered across the island are cafes and eateries where you can savor local Tsunoshima cuisine while enjoying the sea views. Whether you choose to drive, cycle, or take a leisurely walk, Tsunoshima is a must-visit destination full of charm when you come to Yamaguchi.
SL Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi offers many extraordinary experiences, but the SL Yamaguchi-go is particularly recommended. Operated by JR West, this special rapid train provides a nostalgic journey with its retro interior, offering a luxurious and unique experience for passengers of all ages.
The SL Yamaguchi-go runs once a day, making a round trip between Shin-Yamaguchi Station and Tsuwano Station, with stops at every station along the 62.9 km route, taking about 2 hours. The vintage charm of the train continues to captivate many, offering an exciting train journey that feels like time travel.
👉Enjoy Yamaguchi 1 Week Free Pass
Must-Try Local Delicacies in Yamaguchi City
No discussion of Yamaguchi would be complete without mentioning its cuisine. Benefiting from its location, Yamaguchi offers a variety of exquisite dishes made with ingredients from both the sea and the mountains. While fugu (blowfish), Choshu chicken, and tilefish are famous, a new local gourmet has recently been developed.
What is "New Local Gourmet of Yamaguchi Prefecture"
Restaurants, lodging businesses, producers, cities, and the prefecture have come together to create new local gourmet dishes. These unique Yamaguchi dishes offer a luxurious taste of the prefecture's specialty ingredients. Here are three newly developed local gourmet dishes:
Choshu Chicken Steak
The first is Choshu Chicken Steak, made with two of Yamaguchi Prefecture's proud brands of chicken: Choshu-dori and Choshu Kurokashiwa. Each restaurant offers its own original sauce for the steak, allowing for different flavors depending on where you dine. Each restaurant's unique twist on this dish means you can enjoy a variety of tastes as you explore different establishments.
👉https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/feature/chickensteak
Choshu Seafood Rice Bowl
The second one is Choshu Kaisan Mabushi. It features seafood from Yamaguchi Prefecture and is accompanied by seafood-based fried items as side dishes. The appeal lies in the versatility of how it can be enjoyed: as it is, with condiments, or with broth poured over it, allowing for a variety of flavors.
👉https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/feature/mabushi
Choshu Seafood Uni Shabu
The third one is Choshu Kaisan Uni Shabu. This dish uses seafood from Yamaguchi Prefecture, including locally farmed sea urchin. The broth for the uni shabu is unique to each establishment, varying in the types and quantities of seafood used, making it fun to try different places. You can indulge in luxurious servings of fresh sea urchin, adding more as you please.
👉https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/feature/unishabu
Access to Yamaguchi
There are two airports in Yamaguchi Prefecture serving as gateways. One is Yamaguchi Ube Airport, located in Ube City at the westernmost tip of Honshu. The other is Iwakuni Airport in Iwakuni City. Shin-Yamaguchi Station on the JR Sanyo Shinkansen line is also a commonly used entry point. Here are the travel times and main access methods from major cities:
From Tokyo
- By plane: Haneda Airport → Yamaguchi Ube Airport (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes)
- By Shinkansen: Tokyo Station → Shin-Yamaguchi Station (approx. 4 hours 30 minutes)
From Osaka
- By Shinkansen: Shin-Osaka Station → Shin-Yamaguchi Station (approx. 2 hours)
When visiting from Fukuoka
- By Shinkansen: Hakata Station → Shin-Yamaguchi Station (approx. 30 minutes)
Experience the Charm of Yamaguchi City!
We have introduced the attractions and prospects of Yamaguchi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Surrounded by the sea and flanked by the Chugoku Mountains to the east and west, Yamaguchi Prefecture boasts a warm and stable climate. Now is an exciting time to visit as Yamaguchi City is undergoing significant changes following its selection as one of the "52 Places to Go in 2024" by the New York Times. Come and experience the unique scenery and charm that can only be enjoyed now.
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