The Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum, affectionately known as “Kaikyokan,” is an aquarium in the Karato district of Shimonoseki City which opened in 2001. The Museum is famous for its collection of over 100 species of Fugu (Pufferfish) from all over the world and for its exhibit of a complete skeleton of a Blue Whale. Must-sees include the “Humboldt Penguin Special Conservation Area,” where visitors can observe a recreation of the habitat of the Humboldt Penguin, which lives in areas with a warm climate, and performances featuring dolphins and sea-lions.

The Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine is a Shinto Shrine in Hofu City that is dedicated to the poet and statesman Sugawara no Michizane, deified as Tenjin, the God of Learning. It ranks alongside the Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine in Kyoto and the Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine in Fukuoka as one of the Three Great Tenjin Shrines of Japan. As Sugawara no Michizane had been very impressed by Hofu while traveling to Dazaifu in Kyushu, it was believed that his spirit had returned to Hofu after his death, and so the first Tenman-gu Shrine in Japan was built here in 904. The imposing vermillion-painted Ro-mon (two-storied gate) and the view from the Shumpuro-ro hall inside the Shrine precincts should not be missed.

Built on the site of the former Kameyama campus of the Faculty of Economics, Yamaguchi University, the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum is a public art museum with a strong local flavor that is closely integrated with the local community. The Museum’s collections are oriented toward artists with a connection to Yamaguchi Prefecture; for example, they include works from Kazuki Yasuo’s “Siberia Series,” works by Kobayashi Wasaku, etc. The collections also include many outstanding Nihonga paintings (including the “Landscape Scroll After Kegong Gao,” which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property) and photographic works, etc. The Museum holds several exhibitions of works from its own collections and special exhibitions every year. The bright, cheerful cafe facing the central atrium is very popular with visitors.

A fresh spring pond located on the grounds of Beppu Itsukushima-jinja Shrine in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. This mystical pond sparkles cobalt blue in the sunlight, and it is one of the top sightseeing destinations in the Akiyoshi-dai Plateau area. The waters of the pond, welling up from the limestone of the karst plateau, are rich in calcium, and are a cold 14°C. Selected as one of Japan’s 100 most famous waters, locals also use its waters for cooking, washing vegetables, and other daily lives. There is a water station near the pond for people to draw fresh spring water. Legend has it that the spring burst forth after the elder of a town facing a water shortage prayed here to the goddess Benzaiten as instructed in a dream, and each year on the first Sunday in September, a Benten Festival is held and a dance called the Beppu Nenbutsu Odori is offered to the goddess.

A safari park-style zoo located in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture where visitors can view wild animals from a vehicle in settings close to their natural environment. In the Safari Zone, visitors can view African elephants, huge American black bears, lions, tigers, and more, either from their own car or a reservable bus tour which includes a chance to feed some of the animals. The park’s petting zoo, where visitors can play with and feed cute animals such as kangaroos and capybaras, is also quite popular. The zoo also has rare live white tiger and white lion exhibits. Finally, the park has a restaurant and an amusement park area with a giant Ferris wheel and roller coasters, ensuring families can enjoy an entire, fun-filled day here.

This cape of the westernmost part of Honshu in Shimonoseki City has a 500ーmeter promenade with an observation deck, which you can use to look over the expansive ocean and islands. Many tourists come to see the lighthouse of the northernmost part of the Seto Inland Sea near the cape, as well as the 1,000-year-old Kawatana no Kusu no Mori (a single camphor tree that looks like a forest).

A hotel with a hot spring bathhouse which is also open to non-guests located in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Here guests and visitors can enjoy the waters of the Nagato Yumoto Onsen, a hot spring which has been gushing forth since the distant Muromachi period (1336-1573). There are two bathing areas. The Seseragi-no-Yu bathing area on the first floor includes an outdoor hinoki cypress and stone bathing areas. The Komorebi-no-Yu bathing area on the second floor includes a semi-outdoor bath and whirlpool bath. The hotel has Japanese and Western style guest rooms as well as rooms with their own private outdoor baths.

Kikkawa Hiroie, the first leader of the Iwakuni clan, constructed this castle on the summit of Mt. Yokoyama in 1608. However, due to the “one castle per province” order, it was dismantled a mere seven years later in 1615, and government affairs were carried out in a residence at the base of the mountain. The current castle tower was restored in 1962 based on illustrations and diagrams of the castle tower’s original construction, and offers unbroken views of the Seto Inland Sea area including Kikko Park, Kintaikyo Bridge, the city of Iwakuni and Miyajima. Visitors can also see the stone walls of the former castle tower which have been restored according to the stonework techniques of the time.

A hot spring resort and hotel in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. They offer a variety of baths including indoor baths and traditional mud wall style outdoor baths, which draw from a natural hot spring 2,000 meters underground. The resort has a lounge, souvenir shop, and restaurant with a popular healthy buffet. They also offer a great day-trip hot spring plan, which is popular among tourists.

An expansive grass-covered plain on a hill in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture 333 meters above sea level. The Sea of Japan and vast open blue sky stretch away far into the distance, and visitors can see all the way to Six islands in Hagi City as well as Mishima Island. A popular camping destination where you can enjoy the wonders of nature as well, in summer boats burning fires to lure fish at night create a beautiful scene on the ocean waters. At the mountain hut-style Country Kitchen café, you can enjoy lunch, a light meal, or a beverage.

The Akama Shrine is dedicated to the Antoku Emperor, whose maternal grandfather was Taira no Kiyomori, and who drowned at the age of eight following the defeat of the Taira Clan in the Battle of Dan-no-ura. The Shrine is located in Amidaiji district, Shimonoseki City. The red-painted Suiten-mon gate (the Shrine’s main gate) which faces Dan-on-ura has magnificent decoration that evokes the supposed appearance of the underwater palace of the Dragon King. The Shrine grounds also contain the Nanamori-zuka (Seven Mounds), dedicated to the Heike (Taira) clan generals who died in the Battle of Dan-no-ura, and a statue of Hoichi, a character in the ghost story “Hoichi the Earless”. The Homotsu-den (Treasure House), for which there is an admission charge, preserves various literary works including a copy of the 20-chapter “Nagatobon Heike Monogatari” which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property, etc. After sunset, the Suiten-mon gate is illuminated, creating a beautiful spectacle which is not to be missed.

This is a small island with a circumference of 17.1 kilometers and is located in the Sea of Japan and is part of Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The 1780 meter long Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge is suspended between Tsunoshima Island and the mainland. Tsunoshima Lighthouse is located at Yumega Cape which is situated in the north-west of the island, and it stands at a height of 29.6 meters. It is possible to climb up to the landing of the spiral staircase. In addition, Yumesakinami Park which is adjacent to Tsunoshima Lighthouse park is a great scenic spot where you can see the evening sun setting in the Sea of Japan.

"The castle ruins in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, now being maintained as ""Hagi Castle Ruins Shizuki Park"". Visitors can view historic sites such as the ""Ruins of the Castle Tower"", ""Nashibake Tea House"" and ""Bansei Bridge"" in the park. It has been selected as a national historic site and is also famous as a cherry blossom spot where visitors can view 500 Yoshino cherry trees, and the more unusual Midori Yoshino cherry blossoms, in spring."

"This shrine in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, worships Hachiman as the main god, and conducts prayers for marriage, safe delivery and traffic safety. Shinto wedding ceremonies are also held. The shrine also holds various seasonal events such as ""Setsubun Grand Festival"" in February and the ""Wind Chime Festival"" in July, etc. The shrine is also famous for offering over 800 kinds lucky charms."

This lodging facility is in Shimonoseki City. Come enjoy hot spring baths in the middle of nature that has open-air baths with panoramic views of the Sea of Japan and the Hibikinada Bay. The baths are also open for day trips. With the clear cobalt blue seas surrounding the resort hotel, you can also experience leisure activities including marine sports and fishing.

This tunnel connects Shimonoseki City and Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture and passes under the Kanmon Strait, separating Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Prefectures. There is a tunnel for pedestrians, bicycles, motorized bicycles of 50 cc or less, which is used as a jogging or walking course. In addition, there are tunnels for a highway and a railroad for the Sanyo main line, and the Shin-Kanmon Tunnel for the Sanyo Shinkansen.

Ganso Kawara Soba Takase is a restaurant in Toyoura district, Shimonoseki City that is reputed to have been the first restaurant to serve Kawara Soba (Soba noodles served on a heated Kawara tile). Kawara Soba was originally developed by Takase Shinichi (the first-generation owner), inspired by the story that, during the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, hungry solders heated Kawara tiles to cook wild grasses and meat; this dish has subsequently become very popular. The restaurant's Unameshi (steamed rice with eel), made using domestically-produced eel, is also very popular.

"This theme park in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture is on the site of a mine. The motif of the park is based on the legend of the lost continent of Mu, and the park is divided into 15 zones including temples and a mysterious lake. The ""underground hall"" created in the below ground space is used as a concert hall, and the building in the center ""Yama Hotaru"" is used as guide for general information, restaurants and shops, experience studios, and a large public bath."

"This island situated in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture is also known as ""The Alps of the Sea"", and there are many strange rocks and boulders sculpted by great nature, such as cave entrances, precipitous cliffs and stone pillars. It is a popular spot for scuba diving and attracts many divers from across Japan. You can take a stroll down the Omijima Shizen Kenkyuro sightseeing path and also ride the pleasure boat to enjoy the view."

"This is an accommodation facility in Shimonoseki City where guests can also enjoy a day bath. There is a spacious bath as well as hot springs you can reserve for private use where you can relieve your fatigue. The facility is built on the image ""city planning"", and includes many shopping areas and restaurants, a tea lounge and wedding hall. Guests can also enjoy cuisine using blowfish from the sea of Shimonoseki."

This lakeside accommodation in Yamaguchi City offers a restaurant, banquet hall, and catering services. Tourists who travel by car can use this place as a rest stop, and eat at the restaurant, and use their large public bath. There is even a rest area especially for women. Accommodation is available without meals included. All rooms have toilets attached, and there is even a large guest house for groups.

This zoo, located in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, exhibits a variety of animals including monkeys, raccoons, hippopotamus and other mammals, birds and reptiles. The zoo is set out so that visitors can see the animals up close and there are also many experience type events. In addition, it was also the location of the residence of Mori from the former Tokuyama Domain so is famous as an historic site and for cherry blossom viewing.

This shopping mall in Shimonoseki City is located next to JR Shimonoseki Station and brings together shopping, gourmet, and entertainment. Opened as one of Western Japan’s largest shopping centers in 1977, it now consists of Shimonoseki Daimaru department store, specialty shops, a wedding venue, and a cinema complex.