We travel to Yamaguchi Prefecture to see what is widely recognized asthe most beautiful bridge in Japan.
Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, located at the southwestern tip of the main Japanese island of Honshu, is famous for several things, including highly valued blowfish (fugu), and for those interested in history, as the location where one of the most well-known battles in Japanaese history, the Battle of Dannoura, which was fought between the Genji and Heishi clans over eight centuries ago in 1185.
It’s also where you’ll find the Tsunoshima Ōhashi (literally, “the giant bridge of Tusnoshima”), the bridge that connects the Houhokucho area of Shimonoseki City and the island of Tsunoshima. The bridge has the distinction of being known as “the most beautiful bridge in Japan”, and the stunning view of the sea and the bridge attracts many visitors to the area each year.
The Tsunoshima Ōhashi was completed in 2000, and at a length of 1,780 meters (1.1 miles), it’s also one of the longest bridges in Japan that is toll-free.
We were told that the best time to visit the area is in the summer, but since we happened to be traveling to Yamaguchi Prefecture, we decided it would be an excellent opportunity to go see the most beautiful bridge in Japan. After traveling one hour from the Shimonoseki Interchange by car, we were greeted by some amazing views!
RELATED ENTRIES
-
The Daimaru location in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, will soon begin selling limited edition Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi goods! About 1,400 rare goods previously only available at 10 locations around Japan will be available in Shimonoseki from May 25 until May 30. Inspired by locales around the country, these adorable items will inspire you to travel when you can!
Limited Edition Sumikko Gurashi Goods
Ise Shop ExclusiveDangling Stuffed Animal
Dangling Stuffed Animal
Jisho-ji Shop ExclusiveDangling Stuffed Animal
Kyoto Kiyomizu-Zaka Shop ExclusiveDangling Stuffed Animal
Shrine and Temple Stamp Book
Castella Manju
Dazaifu Shop ExclusiveDangling Stuffed Animal
Rilakkuma's Teahouse & Rilakkuma's Bath Exclusive Goods
Arashiyama Shop ExclusiveHoney Castella Manju
Miyajima Shop ExclusiveStuffed Animal
Roasted Mochi Pieces, Soy Sauce Flavor (with Can)
Kurokawa Shop ExclusiveJapanese Pattern Towels
Dogomachi Shop ExclusiveStuffed Animals
Kusatsu Shop ExclusiveStuffed Animal
With over 700 Sumikko Gurashi goods available, each symbolizing a specific locale with a cherry blossom theme, it won’t be easy to choose which items you’ll want to take home. Photo spots will also be set up at the venue, so come snap some pics for social media! Also, look forward to the Summer Bread and Sweets Festival 2022 in the adjacent venue!Information
Shimonoseki Daimaru
Available: May 25 – May 30, 10:00-19:00 *Closes at 16:00 on May 30.
Location: Shimonoseki Daimaru 6F
Official Site: https://www.daimaru.co.jp/shimonoseki/
-
The Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media will house a new work by DJ Licaxxx, the fifth installment of the ‘sound tectonics installation.’ The new work, Reason and Emotion ‘22, will be on display in the museum’s courtyard. Licaxxx is a popular DJ and beatmaker who has been active in many unique fields over the past few years. The artist has created music for commercials and other advertisements while also contributing works to museums and art spaces. The new sound installation features trackmaker Dan Kubo and electronic musician Kazuki Muraoka as collaborators. The goal of this ongoing project is to critically examine the act of viewing art in general, including music, and to generate music in real-time based on the current environment. The installation is impacted by weather, temperature, and the number of people viewing the work. The courtyard venue faces the main foyer and features a large glass atrium. Come enjoy a new listening experience like no other before the installation disappears in November.
Information
sound tectonics installation #5 / Licaxxx New Installation
Reason and Emotion ‘22 YCAM Volume
Running: May 14 – November 13, 2022
Hours: 10:00-20:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Venue: Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media / YCAM Courtyard
Free Admission
Official Site: https://www.ycam.jp
-
From January 28 until February 27, 2022, Nagato Yumoto Onsen in Yamaguchi Prefecture will host the ‘Otozuregawa Uta Akari,’ a light-up event based on a poem by children’s poet Mizusu Kaneko. The event will feature poem narration and music, with motifs created by children and students in the city set up to create an unforgettable scene. The ‘Uta Akari Gentou Rondo,’ a light performance set to a poem reading, and thousands of light bowls created by young people in the city will be prepared at the venue.
Sound and Light Entertainment ・Gentou Rondo Area
Welcomed by 3,000 Lights ・Misuzu’s Garden Area
Welcomed by 3,000 Lights ・Misuzu’s Garden Area
New Area・Dreaming Fish Area
Hage Ware Lampshades・Light of the Earth Area
Performances
Misuzu’s Garden Area（Onyu, Lawn Area）About 3,000 elementary and junior high school students in the city created light motifs for the event. Inspired by the timeless poetry of Misuzu Kaneko, these illuminations will warmly welcome visitors. Otozuregawa Area（Onshinkawa Onsen Park） Large-scale lighting motifs created by local residents and workshop participants will be installed along the river. The slowly flickering illuminations will seem to float atop the gently flowing water, creating a fantastic scene. Dreaming Fish Area（Onshinkawa Onsen Park） In 2022, the event will take up more space on the property. A fish-shaped light will be placed in the center of Onshinkawa Onsen Park, and guests will be invited to see the many sea-inspired works donated by kindergarten and nursery school students. Light of the Earth Area（NearOntoshoku) Lampshades made of local Hagi ware will be installed along the riverside path near the hot spring resort. More than 20 of these lampshades were made by local elementary school students along with cooperation from teachers from the Fukagawa Kiln. The crafting school has a history of 360 years in the Minose area near Nagato Yumoto Onsen. Gentou Rondo Area（Near Bamboo Forest Stairs) Watch as shadow puppets dance to the music and recitation of poems by Misuzu Kaneko! The lights in the bamboo grove and plaza will playfully change as the night goes on.Information
Otozuregawa Illuminations
Running: January 28 – February 27, 2022
Illumination Hours: Sunset (around 17:30) – 22:00
Address: Nagato Yumoto Onsen (Fukawayumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi)
Entry Free: Free
-
The Five Story Pagoda of Ruriko Temple is a National Treasure of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The site is commemorating the 600th anniversary since the birth of Sesshū Tōyō, the Japanese master of ink and wash painting, with a special event on September 26 and 27 and October 10 and 11. The Five Story Pagoda was built in 1442 using skilful architectural techniques from the mid-Muromachi period. It is considered one of Japan's three most beautiful pagodas.
1,000 candles are set to be lit along the pathway to the pagoda, lighting up the way with enchanting light. The spectacle is set to be posted on the official Yamaguchi Prefecture PR YouTube page so that more people can enjoy the show. 2020 marks the 600th anniversary of Sesshū Tōyō who is considered the most prominent master of ink and wash painting in Japan. In his mid 30's, he visited Yamaguchi so that he could cross over to China on the Ōuchi clan's mission to Ming China. He returned to 1483 where he based himself and worked until he passed away in 1506 at age 87. Information
Sesshū Tōyō 600th Anniversary Commemoration
Running: September 26, 2020 / September 27, 2020 / October 10, 2020 / October 11, 2020Candle Lighting: 18:30-21:00
TEL: 083-920-9220
Enquiries on the day: 083-934-6630*The YouTube video is scheduled to be posted on September 30, 2020. Subject to change depending on the weather.
*To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the site is limiting the number of people allowed at the site at once.
Yamaguchi Prefecture PR Official YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/PrefYamaguchiKouhou
-
Soak in the Hot Springs and Enjoy the Luxurious Local Cuisine at Hoshino Resorts in Yamaguchi Prefecture
On March 12, 2020, Hoshino Resorts will open a brand new resort around Yumoto Hot Spring (Nagato, Yamaguchi prefecture). Following plans for a new hot spring district in Nagato that were created in January 2020, Hoshino's hot spring resort brand KAI will be opening a resort in Nagato with numerous spa facilities. With the cooperation of the local government and community, this plan has been put into action. As part of the masterplan, Hoshino KAI Nagato will include a cafe called Agebono Cafe. This will be the first KAI resort to extend their cafe services to non-guests. The cafe will sell sweet dorayaki pancakes that guests can enjoy while strolling the streets of the hot spring district. KAI is a hot spring ryokan brand owned by Hoshino Resorts and can be found all over Japan. The theme of KAI resorts is traditional yet new. Although the room designs are inspired by nature and old and traditional Japanese culture, they cater to the needs of modern guests.Exterior Appearance
KAI Nagato is the 16th hot spring resort of Hoshino KAI. It is located in the north of Yamaguchi prefecture and is surrounded by grand mountains. The resort sits by the peaceful Otozure River which is the main source of hot spring water for Yumoto Hot Spring. KAI Nagato is located where Agebono bridge stretches across the river. The resort aims to provide guests with an enriching experience of Yamaguchi's traditional old tea house residences (Ochaya Yashiki) as well as the opportunity to indulge in the regions finest traditional culture, food and experiences. From the lobby to the guest rooms, the resort is full of Yamaguchi's samurai culture.KAI Guest Room
The designs for the guest rooms were inspired by Yamaguchi's samurai. Each room is fit for a Feudal Lord. The beds are located on flooring which is slightly higher than the rest of the room. The surrounding wooden pillars create a luxurious private atmosphere.
Patterned Wall Decoration
The wall behind the bed is decorated with Tokujihori washi paper which is a type of Japanese paper unique to Yamaguchi prefecture and has a history dating back to the Muromachi period over 800 years ago. This special paper has even been acknowledged as an Intangible Cultural Asset to Japan. The beautiful dainty paper has been dyed a variety of bright and elegant colours to create this beautiful masterpiece.Hagi Ware *This is currently still in production so the appearance may vary.
The room even has a Tokonoma, which is a small alcove where artistic pieces are displayed. Old Hagi ware, which was traditionally used for tea-making, is displayed here.Luxury Banquet for One
Enjoy a luxurious banquet for one made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients in a semi-private dining space. Each meal is served on a dainty dish. As Yamaguchi Prefecture is the second largest squid producer in the country, KAI Nagato serves the region's highly-praised Yamaguchi squid as an appetizer and as sashimi. The sweet, soft and chunky squid will leave your mouth watering for more. The dinner set also includes a range of pickled vegetables and a luxurious plate of seasonal sushi and sashimi. All dishes are served in special Hagi ware. KAI Nagato was created to fulfil the goal of creating a relaxing hot spring district where visitors can stroll for a relaxing break. KAI has taken one more step towards achieving this goal by creating the Agebono Cafe, which is the first ever KAI cafe to extend its services to non-guests .The cafe serves Japanese dorayaki pancakes with sweet jam fillings made using Yamaguchi's original citrus fruits such as Yamaguchi's original Nagato Yuzukichi and the Natsu Mikan. The Natsu Mikan was introduced to Japan from overseas and is now cultivated in Yamaguchi prefecture. Enjoy the refreshing tangy citrus flavour of Yamaguchi prefecture as it perfectly balances with the sweet jam flavour. This is best enjoyed with a cafe latte. Hoshino Resorts KAI Nagato is packed with the cultural wonders and flavours of the region. Take a moment to relax in the Yumoto Hot Spring and explore the culture of Japan. Information
Hoshino Resorts KAI Nagato
Address: 2229-1 Fukagawayumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
Open: March 12, 2020
Reservations Open: November 12, 2019
Telephone Number: 0570-073-022 (Hoshino Resorts Reservations Centre)
Price: From ¥22,000 per night (Based on the price per person for one room with two guests. Includes service fee, dinner and breakfast. Tax not included.)
Access: 60-minute drive from JR Shinyamaguchi Station, 90-minute drive from Yamaguchi Ube Airport.
URL：https://kai-ryokan.jp/en/nagato/
-
Akiyoshidai is located in Mine, Yamaguchi. It is Japan’s biggest karst plateau and is designated as a natural monument. If you love the stars in the night sky then you’ll want to hear about the new shooting star night tours that have been announced by the Mine City Tourism Information Center. Cities, towns and villages across Japan are seeking to cater tourist and travelers needs to experience something that only that place can offer which can be enjoyed by simply by ‘looking.’
Akiyoshidai is a very popular site with photographers as it offers a clear and unbroken view of the stars. Mine City Tourism Information Center is capitalizing on this by offering more tours to visitors. This series of tours will make it easier for people to travel to Akiyoshidai from the town area while taking advantage of a location where there is little artificial light. Check the official website for more details on how you can witness the incredible Japanese night sky.