Yamaguchi 2 Day Itinerary: Driving Through Tsunoshima and Nagato

Summary

This time, we rented a car in Yamaguchi Prefecture, which is dotted with historical spots, and went sightseeing in Tsunoshima, famous for its photogenic beauty, and Nagato, a place associated with Misuzu Kaneko.Unfortunately, the weather was rainy, but the spots with spectacular views were still beautiful.Next time I will go on a sunny day and enjoy it even more fully! Please take a look at it as a reference.

*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.

Travel Itinerary

10:00am Shin-Yamaguchi Station（新山口駅）

This trip started at “Shin-Yamaguchi Station” after getting off the Shinkansen bullet train!

Shin-Yamaguchi Station is a transportation facility located in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is one of the stops on the West Japan Railway (JR West) Sanyo Main Line, Yamaguchi Line, Ube Line, Onoda Line and Sanyo Shinkansen Line. It is also the first station for the “SL Yamaguchi-go” sightseeing train on the Yamaguchi Line.

11:30am Amaigase Park（海士ヶ瀬公園）

First, we headed to Tsunoshima Island. Tsunoshima is also known for the Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge!It is the longest bridge in Japan that can be crossed for free… Before crossing the bridge, it is recommended to view the bridge from the observation deck in this park.

Plaza with monuments

Amaigase Park, a coastal park in hohoku-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a popular tourist spot where visitors can view the Kakunoshima Bridge. From the park’s parking lot, visitors can take their time to view the bridge, which contrasts beautifully with the cobalt blue sea and sandy beach.

12:00pm Tsunoshima Bridge（角島大橋）

Finally, we will cross the Tsunoshima Bridge by car.The road was spectacular and exciting to drive surrounded by the beautiful ocean.

The Tsunoshima Bridge, located in Kanda, Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is one of the longest bridges in Japan that is toll-free. Because of its beautiful scenery, it has been used as a filming spot for various movies, TV dramas, and commercials.

12:30 Tsunoshima Lighthouse（角島灯台）

After landing on Tsunoshima, the first destination was Tsunoshima Lighthouse.Due to the weather, we were not able to enter the lighthouse on this day…This lighthouse seems to have stairs to the top, and the view from there must be beautiful.

Tsunoshima Lighthouse, located in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is the first large lighthouse on the Sea of Japan side. From the top, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan and a fantastic atmosphere at night. Admission is from 9:00am to 5:00pm (10:00am to 4:30pm from October to February).

1:00pm Makizakikaze park（牧崎風の公園）

After regaining my composure, I headed for the park on the other side of the island from the lighthouse.There is a promenade on the lawn, and the Sea of Japan stretches out to the right and left. If you come on a sunny day, the sea breeze will be pleasant.

Overlooking the Sea of Japan

Walkway stretches into the lawn

It is also a bird sanctuary

Makisaki Kaze no Koen Park, located in Oaza Tsunoshima, Hohoku-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a park in the northern part of Kakushima. The park is laid out with lawns, a promenade, and a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan. On sunny days, the sea breeze is pleasant, and it is a popular spot for visitors to refresh themselves. According to word of mouth, it is located on the opposite side of the island from the lighthouse and has a beautiful view of the sea.

2:00pm wakuwaku-tei（わくわく亭）

For lunch, we crossed the Tsunoshima Bridge again and came to a roadside station.Michi no Eki Kitaura Kaido Hohoku, where Wakuwaku-tei is located, was once ranked No. 1 in the Road Station Ranking by Travel Lovers. I ordered the fuku (pufferfish)-tendon (¥950). I was told that “fuku” means pufferfish! The vegetables and pufferfish were fresh and very tasty!

Found the sign!

Exterior

roadside station

Wakuwaku-tei

Interior

Seafood of the Day

fuku (pufferfish)-tendon 950 yen

It was delicious!

Wakuwaku-tei is a restaurant located in Hohoku-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, within the Hohoku Michi-no-Eki Kitaura Kaido. The restaurant offers a wide variety of set menus and cafeteria menus centering on local cuisine. The restaurant is well-received by word of mouth for its friendly service and delicious food, and has even won first place in the Michi-no-Eki ranking.

3:30pm Motonosumi Shrine（元乃隅神社）

The next stop was here, one of Nagato’s most popular tourist attractions.The shrine is lined with 123 torii gates stretching more than 100 meters. The blue of the Sea of Japan, the red of the torii gate, and the green of the grass and trees make a very beautiful contrast.I challenged the most difficult money box in Japan to put money in! I finally managed to throw it 16 times.

The many torii gates are breathtaking.

This is what it looks like from above

This is what it looks like from the bottom

Motonosumi Shrine is located in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is a spectacular spot with 123 torii gates stretching more than 100 meters toward the sea. In 2015, the shrine was selected as one of the 31 most beautiful places in Japan by CNN, and attracts many tourists from home and abroad.

4:30pm Ryokan Yamamurabekkan（山村別館）

We stayed at the Ryokan Yamamurabekkan in Yumoto Onsen.There are many services that girls enjoy, such as the rental of cute yukatas and a shampoo bar!This time I stayed in a Western-style room because I was traveling alone, but I think it would be nice to stay in a Japanese-style room for two or more people to feel like you are in a hot spring resort ✨

Lobby

yukata rental

Shampoo Bottle

guide map

room

Ryokan Yamamurabekkan is an accommodation facility located in Fukawa-Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It offers a full range of services for women, including the rental of cute yukata (Japanese bathrobes) and a shampoo bar, and offers accommodation plans with a choice of Japanese-style or Western-style rooms. Located in the center of Yumoto Onsen, we recommend staying in a Japanese-style room for two or more people.

5:00pm Nagato Yumoto Onsen（長門湯本温泉）

Stroll through the hot spring resort area, which can be enjoyed both day and night.As the sun sets, the lights of the hot spring resort begin to illuminate, creating a magical atmosphere.

With a history of about 600 years

Around the river is a hot spring resort

There was also a bench

scenery

introductory sign

Lights up at night

Nagato Yumoto Onsen, located in Fukawa-Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a hot spring resort town with a history of about 600 years. It is a hot spring village with drop-in baths, the opening of Hoshino Resort Kai Nagato, river terraces, stepping stones, fantastic lighting, restaurants and cafes opening one after another. You can enjoy strolling along the Onshin River day and night in this osoto paradise.

Otozuregawa Park（音信川河川公園）

This is a free footbath located in Yumoto Onsen. There seem to be two free footbaths, and this is the larger one.There were no other visitors when I went, so I had this beautiful and spacious footbath all to myself.

Footbath surrounded by greenery

Located in Fugawa-Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Otozuregawa Park is a park with a free footbath. There are also other facilities such as pavilions and an event stage where visitors can relax and unwind.

6:00pm Yakitori Sakura Shokudo（焼き鳥さくら食堂）

For dinner, we came to eat yakitori.The Yamaguchi style is to eat yakitori with seasonings. I took the opportunity to season it and tried it.Personally, the best part was the garlic powder!

Exterior

signboard

low table over a hole in the floor

counter seat

Seasonings on the table

地ビール 366ペールエール 850円

Appetizer

Shishito (Shishito pepper) 130 yen

Omusubi (rice ball) 440 yen

Thigh 160 yen

Shiitake mushroom 130 yen

Nagato Yumoto Onsen Bamboo Grove Staircase（長門湯本温泉竹林の階段）

The highlight of this place is the staircase that is lit up!The bamboos lined up on either side are beautifully illuminated, and the sound of summer insects is soothing.

The “Bamboo Grove Staircase” in Nagato Yumoto Onsen is a symbol of Nagato Yumoto Onsen. At night, the bamboo grove is lit up and visitors can enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the hot spring resort.

9:00am Ryokan Yamamurabekkan（山村別館）

breakfast

9:40am Omijima Island Tourist Steamship（青海島観光汽船）

The second day started with a sightseeing boat.It was a round-the-clock tour of Omijima Island, and the time spent touring the beautiful sea was a welcome relief from all the fatigue.I was thrilled by the magnificent rocks created by the ocean waves! It was interesting that every rock had a name.

whale boat

This time, a dolphin boat

Omijima Island Round Trip Course

Sightseeing Boat Ramp

There’s also a waiting room.

Ticket office is this way.

The boat ride takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, and tickets cost 2,200 yen.

A naturally formed Goddess of Mercy

I can’t stop being thrilled to be in the cave and to be able to see it!

Omijima Island Tourist Steamship, located in Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a sightseeing boat company that offers excursions around Omijima Island. You can take the sightseeing boat for a round trip around Cheonghae Island, which is called the “Maritime Alps”. The magnificent rocks created by the ocean waves have names, and each has its own unique and interesting character.

11:40am Kiraku（㐂楽）

At the end of the day, we eat local Senzaki squid.On this day, we could not eat live squid because the weather was not good the day before…But I succeeded in eating Senzaki squid! The squid is soft and easy to chew through.If this were a live squid, would it mean that it would melt even more? It is too good!