Chugoku Guide: Hiroshima, Okayama, and the Seto Inland Sea
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
Western Honshu offers history, beauty, and island-hopping — far from the Tokyo crowds.
Western Honshu offers history, beauty, and island-hopping — far from the Tokyo crowds.
Why Chugoku?
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial — profoundly moving
- Miyajima Island — iconic floating torii gate
- Seto Inland Sea — island-hopping paradise
- Okayama — Beautiful gardens, white peach
- Less crowded — fraction of Kansai visitors
The Five Prefectures
Hiroshima
Known for: Peace Memorial, Miyajima, oysters
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Peace Memorial Park | UNESCO site, museum, dome |
| Miyajima Island | Floating torii gate, deer, temples |
| Hiroshima Castle | Reconstructed castle |
| Okonomiyaki | Hiroshima-style layered pancake |
Okayama
Known for: Korakuen Garden, white peach, art
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Korakuen | One of Japan's three great gardens |
| Kurashiki | Preserved merchant district |
| Okayama Castle | Black castle ("Crow Castle") |
| White peach | Famous regional fruit |
Shimane
Known for: Izumo Taisha, Matsue, Adachi Museum
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Izumo Taisha | Japan's most important Shinto shrine |
| Matsue | Castle town, boat rides |
| Adachi Museum | Japanese gardens rated #1 worldwide |
| Iya Onsen | Hidden hot spring |
Tottori
Known for: Sand dunes, crab, Naruto manga
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Tottori Sand Dunes | Japan's largest sand dunes |
| San'in Coast | Dramatic coastline |
| Sand Museum | Sand sculptures |
| Manga Museum | Naruto creator's hometown |
Yamaguchi
Known for: Shimonoseki, Tsunoshima Bridge
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Shimonoseki | Fugu (pufferfish) capital |
| Tsunoshima Bridge | Stunning ocean bridge |
| Kintaikyo Bridge | Iconic wooden arch bridge |
| Hagi | Castle town, pottery |
Getting There
| From | To | Transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka | Hiroshima | Shinkansen | 1.5 hours |
| Osaka | Okayama | Shinkansen | 50 min |
| Kyoto | Hiroshima | Shinkansen | 2 hours |
| Hiroshima | Miyajima | Ferry | 10 min |
Tips
- Shinkansen to Hiroshima — fastest and easiest
- JR Pass covers everything — Shinkansen + local trains
- Visit Miyajima at low tide — walk to the torii gate
- Budget 2–3 days for Hiroshima + Miyajima
- Try Hiroshima okonomiyaki — layered, not mixed
- Visit in October — perfect weather, fewer tourists
- Rent a car for rural areas — Shimane, Tottori
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