Getting Around Yamaguchi Prefecture

For those looking for style over speed, hop on the Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi-go, otherwise known as The Lady, which puffs through the Yamaguchi countryside along the JR West Yamaguchi Line every Saturday and Sunday. Starting at Shin-Yamaguchi passengers can jump on and off this impressive steam train all the way to Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture.

Getting Around Yamaguchi Prefecture

Despite Yamaguchi being the most southwestern prefecture of Honshu’s islands, it is easy to access from all over the country thanks to the Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen. High speed bullet trains whizz all the way from Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima to five stations around Yamaguchi Prefecture: Shin-Shimonoseki, Asa, Shin-Yamaguchi, Tokuyama and Shin-Iwakuni. Travelling onto other cities around the prefecture is simple for the most part especially for those with a JR Pass as the JR Yamaguchi Line goes from Shin-Yamaguchi Station to Yamaguchi Station in 30 minutes and the JR Mine Line travels from Asa Station to Nagatoshi Station in one hour.

Getting Around Yamaguchi Prefecture

If you’re planning a lot of trips around Yamaguchi and the surrounding prefectures it’s worth investing in the Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area JR Pass which will set you back 11,000 yen for a full five days of unlimited travel on all JR transport in these three prefectures covering bullet trains, local trains, and buses.

Getting Around Yamaguchi Prefecture

While Yamaguchi’s trains are convenient, some routes are best made by bus including the direct one-hour bus trip from Yamaguchi City to Hagi. Once you’ve arrived in the cities, local buses are one of the best ways to hop between attractions. This is especially the case in the larger cities such as Shimonoseki and Hagi.

Getting Around Yamaguchi Prefecture

Bike rental is available in most cities. Nearby to Higashi-Hagi Station the Smile rental bikes are an affordable way to get around the city with an hour’s rental setting you back 200 yen or just 1,000 yen for a full 24 hours. Those looking for an extra challenge should set off early to cycle up to the foot of Mt. Kasayama where a number of attractions greet you. Shimonoseki also offers several rental options including the popular Shimocle bicycles which can be reserved online or picked up from the reception next to Karato Market. For a real adventure, take the Kanmon Tunnel under the sea which brings you out in the north of Kyushu just one kilometer away.

Getting Around Yamaguchi Prefecture

There is no better way to discover Japan than by car. With the ability to go anywhere at any time you can visit more places and at the least crowded times. Car hire is only available for those with a valid license so make sure that you have an international license which can be obtained outside of Japan or a Japanese license for those residing in the country. The easiest English language friendly option for car hire in Yamaguchi is Nissan who have seven spots for renting cars around the prefecture including Yamaguchi Ube Airport, Shin-Yamaguchi Station, and Shin-Shimonoseki. Prices start at around 8,000 yen per day which includes English satellite navigation.

Yamaguchi(Yamaguchi)

Yamaguchi Pref

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Higashihagi

Yamaguchi Pref

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Smile Kashi Bicycle

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Chinto Shinkawanishi 3031-14

0838222914

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Kasayama

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Tsubaki Higashiueno

0838253139

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