CHUGOKU - JAPAN

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Chugoku (中国) is the westernmost part of the main Japanese island, Honshu. It comprises the prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Shimane and Tottori.
It is divided by the Chugoku Mountains, which run east to west, into the San-in region, facing the Sea of Japan and the San-yo region, facing the Inland Sea.
The scenic San-in coastal region offers National Parks including Daisen-Oki National Park and San-in Coast National Park and good onsen (hot springs). It has lots of beautiful coastline and the country's oldest Shinto shrine.
The San-yo region is largely industrial but has a mild climate and several areas of interest to visitors. It still has some places of great beauty and historical interest as well as the city of Hiroshima, famous for more tragic reasons. Miyajima Island, near Hiroshima, is one of the most famous and visited spots in Japan.
Aside from Hiroshima, most of Chugoku is probably well off the beaten track for a brief visit to Japan; but if time permits, you'll find a region full of memorable sights and experiences, and a side of Japan that's completely unlike the better-known destinations in Kansai and Kanto.
PREFECTURES
Hiroshima Yamaguchi

Hiroshima (広島) has two World Heritage Sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine which is one of the Japan's three most scenic sights, both of which attract many visitors.

Hiroshima is best known for being the first city to suffer an atomic bomb attack - 8:15am, August 6, 1945. Yet, Hiroshima is far from being a depressing place; It is now a modern, cosmopolitan city with a lot of great food and nightlife.
Hiroshima Travel Guide

Hiroshima


Yamaguchi (山口) is called little Kyoto of the San-in region and boasts the largest yearly catch of blow-fish. It has lots of historic sites, Akiyoshi-do Plateau, Akiyoshi-do Cave and Omi-jima island whose scenic outcroppings are called the "Sea Alps."

Yamaguchi Travel Guide

Yamaguchi

Okayama Shimane

Okayama (岡山) has an enormous amount of historical sites and scenic vistas. It's most famous attractions are Korakuen Garden, which is one of the top three Japanese landscape gardens in Japan, along with Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Kairakuen in Mito, Okayama Castle, the Kurashiki Bikan Chiku Historical Area and a wealth of museums.
Okayama Travel Guide

Okayama


Shimane (島根) the home of the Izumo Taisha Shrine thought to be one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan and famous as a site for couples getting married.
Shimane Travel Guide

Shimane

Tottori

Tottori (鳥取) is characterized by the Japan Sea climate and it snows heavily during the winter. Tottori prefecture has the smallest population, but it has a wealth of spectacular coastal scenery, sand dunes, onsens and volcanoes.
Tottori Travel Guide

Tottori

Where do you want to go in Chugoku?

How to get to and around Chugoku

From Kansai international airport
Shinkansen route
Japan Railways
Highway bus route

Streetcar in Hiroshima
Buses in Chugoku

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