Chugoku & Shikoku

Travel guides for Hiroshima, Okayama, Matsuyama and the Shikoku islands

Vast ancient limestone cave with stalactites and rock formations
Chugoku & Shikoku, Hidden Gems

Akiyoshido Cave and Kintaikyo Bridge: A First-Timer’s Guide to Yamaguchi’s Natural and Historic Wonders

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Yamaguchi Prefecture, at the western tip of Honshu, holds two of western Japan’s most extraordinary sights: Akiyoshido, the largest limestone cave in the country, hidden beneath the rolling karst grassland of Akiyoshidai, and the Kintaikyo Bridge, a graceful five-arched wooden span built in 1673 in the castle town of Iwakuni. This first-timer’s guide covers how to reach each, the best seasons to visit, what they cost in yen and dollars, sample itineraries, where to stay and what to eat, plus how to combine them with Hagi, Shimonoseki and the Japan Sea coast.

People in traditional attire at a vibrant Japanese street festival with lanterns
Chugoku & Shikoku, Culture & Customs, Tokushima

Awa Odori and the Naruto Whirlpools: A First-Timer’s Guide to Tokushima, Japan

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Tokushima on the island of Shikoku holds two of Japan’s most unforgettable experiences: Awa Odori, the country’s largest traditional dance festival, and the Naruto whirlpools, giant ocean vortexes among the biggest on Earth. This first-timer’s guide covers when to go, how to reach Tokushima from Osaka and Kobe, where to stay, what it costs in yen and dollars, a sample itinerary, festival etiquette, and detailed tips for seeing the whirlpools at peak tide by boat and from the glass-floored sea walkway.

Chugoku & Shikoku, Culture & Customs, Hidden Gems, Yamaguchi

Hagi Travel Guide: Yamaguchi’s Samurai Castle Town (Complete 2026 Guide)

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Hagi is a UNESCO-listed castle town on the Sea of Japan coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Its surviving Edo-era streets, samurai houses, 400-year pottery tradition and ties to the Meiji Restoration make it one of western Japan’s most rewarding under-the-radar destinations. This complete first-timer’s guide covers how to get there from Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, what to see across the Jokamachi, Horiuchi samurai district and Shoin Shrine, where to eat the local Sea of Japan catch, how to shop directly from Hagi-yaki kilns, where to stay in traditional ryokan, the best time to visit, a suggested 2-day itinerary and practical tips.

Chugoku & Shikoku, Culture & Customs, Shimane

Izumo Taisha Guide: Japan’s Oldest Shinto Shrine and the Spiritual Heart of Shimane

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Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture is one of Japan’s oldest and most spiritually significant Shinto shrines, dedicated to Okuninushi, the god of marriage and good connections. This complete first-timer’s guide covers the shrine’s ancient mythology, the unique two-bows-four-claps worship style, when to visit during the famous Kamiarizuki month of gods, how to get there from Tokyo and Osaka, where to eat local Izumo soba, and how to combine the shrine with Matsue, Adachi Museum, and the wider San’in region for an unforgettable journey beyond Japan’s usual tourist trail.

Chugoku & Shikoku, Hidden Gems, Okayama

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter: Complete Guide to Japan’s Beautiful Canal Town

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A complete guide to Kurashiki and the Bikan Historical Quarter — Japan’s best-preserved Edo-period merchant district. Walk the willow-lined canal, ride a wooden punt under stone bridges, visit the Ohara Museum of Art (the country’s first Western art museum), shop the world-famous Okayama denim, and stay overnight inside a 300-year-old rice storehouse turned ryokan. Includes how to get there from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, sample one-day and two-day itineraries, restaurant picks, Naoshima day-trip details, seasonal notes, and a long FAQ.

Chugoku & Shikoku, Culture & Customs, Ehime (Matsuyama)

Dogo Onsen Guide: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring and Matsuyama’s Crown Jewel in Ehime

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Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture is Japan’s oldest continuously operating hot spring resort — with over 3,000 years of history and the iconic Honkan main building (1894) that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. This comprehensive guide covers the different bathing options and their prices, the history behind this extraordinary place, how to get there from Hiroshima and other cities, what to eat in Matsuyama, the best ryokan for an overnight stay, nearby attractions including Matsuyama Castle and Ishite-ji Temple, and all the practical tips first-time visitors need for an unforgettable onsen experience in Shikoku.

Chugoku & Shikoku, Food & Restaurants, Kagawa (Naoshima)

Kagawa Udon Pilgrimage Guide: Sanuki Noodles, Best Shops, and How to Eat Udon Like a Local in Japan’s Udon Prefecture

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Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku island is Japan’s undisputed udon capital — nicknamed ‘Udon Prefecture’ for its obsession with thick, chewy Sanuki udon noodles. The Kagawa udon pilgrimage, visiting multiple udon shops in a single day, is one of Japan’s greatest food experiences and one of its best-value ones too. This complete guide covers the history of Sanuki udon, how to order, the best shops to visit, how to plan your pilgrimage day, and what else to see in Kagawa including Ritsurin Garden, Naoshima Art Island, and Konpira-san shrine.

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