Chugoku

The Chugoku region constitutes the western part of Honshu Island and borders the Sea of Japan. This region has very few flat areas as it is divided into two distinct areas by mountains that run east and west through the center of the region. In total there are five prefectures in the Chugoku region, they are Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi.

The top destinations for travelers in Chugoku, broken down by prefecture, are:

• Hiroshima Prefecture:
  • Hiroshima – the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture and the site of the first atomic bomb being to be dropped on a city on August 6, 1945. This is commemorated in Peace Park. Many historical sites were reconstructed after the bombing, including Hiroshima Castle.
• Okayama Prefecture:
  • Kurashiki – a city with a preserved canal area dating back to the Edo Period
  • Okayama – capital of the prefecture and home to Korakuen Garden, widely considered to be one of Japan’s 3 top landscape gardens.
• Shimane Prefecture:
  • Izumo – here you will find Japan’s oldest shrine believed to have been built in the early 700s
  • Matsue – capital of Simane Prefecture and home of Matsue Castle, Yushien Garden, and the Adachi Museum of Art
• Tottori Prefecture:
  • Mount Daisen – a large volcanic mountain that has been dormant for several thousands of years.
  • Tottori City – capital of the prefecture and famous for the sand dunes located just outside of the city
• Yamaguchi Prefecture:
  • Hagi – a castle town with a well well-preserved samurai area
  • Yamaguchi – capital of the prefecture with historical significance during Japan’s age of warring states. Home to Rurikoji Temple and Joeiji Temple