Yamaguchi prefecture & city guide
Far from massive tourism, enjoy Yamaguchi and its chilled atmosphere
Here’s our favorite times of the year to visit Yamaguchi city and prefecture, while at the end of the page you’ll find an original itinerary to explore the city:
- Between late July and mid August there are many festival and fireworks events so it’s a perfect time to get in touch with Japanese culture.
Festival & events in Yamaguchi
Kintai-kyō Matsuri
錦帯橋まつり
When: 29 of April, all years same day
Where: Kintai-kyō Bridge area
This festival's main event consists on a medieval costumes procession on Kintai-kyō, one of the most famous bridges of Japan and symbol of Iwakuni city. Other dances and smaller events are performed in the surrounding area.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © kintaikyo
Shimonoseki Kaikyō Matsuri
しものせき海峡まつり
When: 2~4 May, all years same days
Where: Akama-jingū Shrine
Dances and performances in medieval costumes, recalling the Genpei War between the Minamoto clan (Genji) and Taira clan (Heike). A sea parade of 80 ships depicts the final sea battle known with the name battle of Dan-no-Ura.
On the final day, another festival highlight takes place on Ganryū-jima island, the reproduction of the famous duel between Musashi Miyamoto and Kojirō Sasaki.Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © visit_yamaguchi
Yamaguchi Gion Matsuri
山口祇園祭
When: 20~27 July, all years same days
Where: Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Inspired by the most famous Kyōto Gion Matsuri, it spans on several days. The main event is on 24, the Ōuchi-no-Otonosama, a citizen's total dance performance.
Festive stalls are set up for the whole period, with mikoshi processions on July 20 and 27 at Yasaka-jinja Shrine.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © manta.suehiro
Ube-shi Hanabi Taikai
宇部市花火大会
When: Saturday of late July
[past dates: July 23 (2022), 27 (2019), 21 (2018), 22 (2017)]
Where: Ube port
Over 10.000 fireworks lights the dark sky of July, where large crowds gather to see this 1 hour show, from 20:00 to 21:00.
Visit the official website (Japanese) of city events to know more.
Pic © ichijikupai
Hagi Hanabi Taikai
萩花火大会
When: 1~3 August, all years same days
Where: Hagi seaside
The first day, a 1 hour fireworks show takes place starting at 20:00, with over 7.000 fireworks. Inside the city, the summer festival continues until August 3rd, remembering the Meiji period with different events.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © kazu_kazu0425
Nishikigawa Mizu-no-Saiten Hanabi Taikai
錦川水の祭典花火大会
When: 1st Saturday of August
[past dates: August 3 (2019), 4 (2018), 5 (2017)]
Where: along the Nishiki-gawa river
Over 6.000 fireworks are launched over the river, with the beautiful Kintai-kyō Bridge in the background. During the day, a number of dances and other performances are held before the fireworks show at 20:00.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © yukio_dougouchi
Yamaguchi Tanabata Chōchin Matsuri
山口七夕ちょうちん祭り
When: 6~7 August, all years same days
Where: Kameyama-kōen Park
From 18:30, thousands of red lanterns are lighted in the central shopping streets, hanging from bambooes. Different performances are held at the stage inside Kameyama-kōen Park on both days.
Visit the official website (Japanese) and check this flyer of a past edition to know more.
Pic © k_kh01m
Yanai Kingyo Chōchin Matsuri
柳井金魚ちょうちん祭り
When: 13 of August, all years same day
Where: Yanai central streets
The event consists in thousands of goldfish lanterns decorating the city, gigantic goldfish shaped floats parading on the streets and fireworks at the end of the festival.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © masumimatsumoto
Kanmon Kaikyō Hanabi Taikai
関門海峡花火大会
When: 13 of August, all years same day
Where: Shimonoseki seaside
This fireworks show can be seen from different perspectives since fireworks are shooted over the small sea portion dividing Honshū and Kyūshū: enjoy the view from Shimonoseki city or cross the Kanmon-kyō Bridge to see the show from Moji city.
15.000 fireworks are launched, with different gigantic "star mines" lighting the sky. The show lasts 1 hour starting approximately at 19:50.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © astrailor_jp
Iwakuni Matsuri
岩国祭
When: 3rd weekend of October
[past dates: October 16 (2022), 19~20 (2019), 20~21 (2018)]
Where: nearby Iwakuni station
Dances and other performances, like a 15 meter white snake dance, are performed on Chūō-dōri Street, in front of Iwakuni station. The area is close to traffic for the festival and the main events are held on Sunday.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © 00nakatsu00
Ube Matsuri
宇部まつり
When: 1st weekend of November
[past dates: November 6 (2022), 2~3 (2019), 3~4 (2018)]
Where: Watanabeō Kinen-kōen Park
Live music and dance performances on stage, with main events on Sunday. Food stalls and flea markets are placed on many central streets during both days of the weekend.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © info_ebigram
Yamaguchi Tenjin Matsuri
山口天神祭
When: 23 of November, all years same day
Where: procession route
The festival spans on multiple days, related to different Shinto rituals praying for the city prosperity, but most of those rituals are closed to the public.
The main public event is the procession that carries the deity around the city inside its mikoshi.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © furukumajinja
Gojinkō Matsuri
御神幸祭
When: 23~24 of November, all years same days
Where: Hōfu Tenmangū Shrine
The main event is held at 18:00 on the first day, a huge procession that carries the Kami around the city inside its portable shrine. Other Shinto rituals and events are held on the second day at noon.
Visit the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © hofutenmangu_official
Best things to do in Yamaguchi
Kintai-kyō
錦帯橋
This 5 spans wood and steel bridge is Iwakuni's symbol. The first construction dates back to 1608, but it was destroyed by different floodings and typhoons throughout the centuries.
Nevertheless, every time the Iwakuni citizens decided to rebuild it with the original shape, obviously with better construction techniques. From 1922 it has been designated as Japan National Treasure.
Check it on Google Maps or visit the official website (Japanese) for more.
Pic © kai181029
Tsunoshima Ōhashi
角島大橋
This 1.7 km long bridge connects Tsuno-shima Island to the main island of Honshū.
The straight and elegant road crosses the beautiful view where the blue of the sea meets that of the sky.
Check it on Google Maps for more.
Pic © yasopic88
Akiyoshidai-kōen & Akiyoshi-dō
秋吉台公園 & 秋芳洞
Akiyoshidai-kōen Park is located in the earth of Yamaguchi prefecture. The peculiarity of this park are the thousands of karst pinnacles spread all around the area.
South of the park you can enter the famous Akiyoshi-dō Cave, a vast 100 meter wide and almost 9 km long underground area, the longest in Japan.
Check it on Google Maps or visit the official website (Japanese) for more.
Pic © sanchannele319
Motonosumi Inari-jinja
元乃隅神社
This Shinto shrine is the most famous of Yamaguchi prefecture, but really off the beaten paths, located along the Nagato coast.
This red tunnel made of torii creates a notable contrast with the blue of both the sea and the sky.
Check it on Google Maps or visit the official website (Japanese) for more.
Pic © wakaponpoco
Ruriko-ji
瑠璃光寺
This is the most famous Buddhist temple of the prefecture, which the main symbol is the 5-story pagoda, a national treasure inside the Kōzan-kōen Park.
On certain periods, like in November for the foliage, the park is open on evenings to enjoy the reflections of greeneries and the pagoda over the pond, all illuminated by beautiful lights.
Check it on Google Maps or visit the official website (Japanese) for more.
Pic © everyday_rurikoji
Yamaguchi typical foods
Fugu
河豚
One of the most iconic fishes of Japan, served either cooked or raw as sashimi. This puffer fish is famous for being incredibly poisonous inside, but skilled chefs cook it deliciously everyday.
In Yamaguchi prefecture, you can try this fish either in Hikari city, south of Iwakuni where the greatest number of fugu are caught, or in Shimonoseki city at the famous Karato-ichiba Market.
Pic © marusasuisan
Iwakuni-zushi
岩国寿司
This is the most famous dish of Iwakuni city, a multi-layered rice with vegetables, fish, various seasonings and egg strips pressed inside wooden molds.
Pic © nobunagakou
Kawara Soba
瓦そば
This is probably the most famous dish of Yamaguchi prefecture, composed by green tea soba noodles topped with eggs, thin strips of beef and vegetables.
The peculiarity of this food is that it is served over hot Kawara roof tiles.
Pic © kaito_yoshiii
Yamaguchi local souvenirs
Ōuchi-nuri
大内塗
A lacquer style born under the Ōuchi clan domain and from which took the name in the 15th century. This lacquerwares are very durable and resistant to fading because are coated with many layers of lacquer.
Ōuchi dolls are cute and particularly famous all around Japan, perfect as souvenir.
Check the English website to know more.
Pic © mayumini2
Akiyoshi Dairiseki
秋芳大理石
Marbles coming from Akiyoshi-dō Cave are extremely beautiful and renowned in all Japan. Due to their size, they can hardly be carried abroad, an exclusive souvenir for Japanese residents.
Anyway, the area has expert craftsmen that also work stones, minerals and glass to create elaborate jewelries and accessories of any shape, color and size.
Dekobokodō shop is one of the best local stores, check the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © onigiro.com
Hagi-yaki
萩焼
Hagi-yaki Potteries date back to 17th century, during the Edo period, and were particularly appreciated at tea ceremonies thanks to their earthy texture.
An old Japanese saying states “Raku first, Hagi second and Karatsu third”, ranking the three best potteries for tea in Japan.
Check the English website to know more.
Pic © hagiyakikamamoto_shokouzan
Kingyo Chōchin
金魚ちょうちん
If you visit Yanai, you'll surely get into these funny red and white fishes made of paper hanging on central streets, during the summer festivals in particular.
Many stores offer the chance to make your own fish lantern or buy some goldfish shaped souvenir.
Pic © kakun0jp
Yamaguchi Uirō
山口外郎
Soft texture and elegant flavor sweets obtained by kneading and steaming red bean paste, wheat flour, sugar, bracken starch and other ingredients.
These sweets are perfect to be eaten with the green tea, but also as gift if preserved inside vacuum packs, available in different flavors.
Check the official website (Japanese) to know more.
Pic © tazukookamura
Yamaguchi prefecture nearby destinations
Cities
Towns & more
Yamaguchi city transportation guide
Access to Yamaguchi
By train, the closest JR Shinkansen station is Shin-Yamaguchi. From there, use JR Yamaguchi Line to reach Yamaguchi central station. For more information on Japan railways, check our JR Pass and trains blog post.
By airplane, the closest airport is Yamaguchi-Ube airport on San’yō coast, south of Yamaguchi.
Moving within the city
The only train line of the city is JR Yamaguchi line, crossing the whole prefecture coast to coast, from Shin-Yamaguchi to Masuda terminals.
If you prefer to explore the area by bus, consider the Yamaguchi Bus Pass that allows to travel on many bus companies all around the prefecture. Check the English website for prices and routes.
Bike rentals
You can rent a bike at Furutake, in front of JR Yamaguchi central station. This long established souvenir shop offers a cheap bike rental service, less than 3 $ for 2 hours.
From Tōkyō to Yamaguchi
By train, take the JR Tōkaidō-San’yō Shinkansen line from Tōkyō to Shin-Yamaguchi station, then the JR Yamaguchi line to the city center. The whole connection takes 5 hours and costs around 200 $ if you don’t have a JR Pass.
By airplane, take a 2 hours flight from Haneda airport to Yamaguchi Ube airport, costing around 150 $. Then, take the JR train line from Kusae station to the city center, a 1,5 hours ride costing less than 10 $ without the JR Pass, for a total of 3,5 hours and about 160 $.
Yamaguchi 1 day itinerary
Morning
- 9:30 – 10:30 start your visit at Yanai city center, the “Town of White Walls“, a pleasant stroll between old shops and goldfish paper lanterns, symbol of the city;
- 10:30 – 12:00 take JR San’yō line from Yanai station to Iwakuni station and then the JR Gantoku line to Kawanishi station to see one of the most famous bridges of Japan, the Kintai-kyō Bridge;
- 12:00 – 13:00 at one of the restaurants in the area, taste the local Iwakuni food, the Iwakuni-zushi;
Afternoon
- 13:00 – 14:30 take the ropeway to visit Iwakuni-jō Castle and enjoy the city view from up there;
- 14:30 – 17:30 get back at Kawanishi station and take a Nishikigawa Railway train to the Seiryū-Shin-Iwakuni station, then change for the JR San’yō Shinkansen line to Shin-Yamaguchi station and lastly the JR Yamaguchi line to Kami-Yamaguchi station to visit Rurikō-ji Temple and the surrounding garden;
- 17:30 – 19:30 take your time with some shopping and finish your day tasting another local food, the Kawara soba.
