Chugoku Region

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General Information

Chugoku, which literally means “central country”, has a population of approximately 7.5 million and consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. The Chugoku region is divided into two sub regions called Sanin and Sanyo. The northern Sanin region is rural while the southern Sanyo region is more urbanized and where the majority of the population resides. Chugoku region’s “capital”, Hiroshima, is one of the most visited areas of Japan. In Japanese, Chugoku also means “China”, and therefore to avoid confusion, the Chugoku region is referred to as “Chugoku-chiho”.

Tottori Prefecture

Tottori Prefecture

Tottori’s most visited site is its sand dunes. The sand dunes of Tottori extend over 30 square km and are the largest in Japan.

Where To Go In Tottori

  • Daisen
  • Hakuto Shrine
  • Kurayoshi
  • Misasa Onsen
  • Mizuki Shigeru Road
  • Ryujin-do
  • Sand Museum
  • Tottori Hanakairo - Flower Park
  • Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum
  • Tottori Sand Dunes
  • Uradome Coast

Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum

Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum

Museum in Tottori dedicated to Nijisseiki Pears

Daisen

Daisen

Tallest mountain in the Chugoku region formed from volcanic activity

Ryujin-do

Ryujin-do

Sea cave popular for diving and for canoeing

Tottori Hanakairo - Flower Park

Tottori Hanakairo - Flower Park

One of Japan's largest flower gardens and largest flower cloister

Shimane Prefecture

Shimane Prefecture

In Shimane's capital city of Matsue is Matsue Castle, one of the only few remaining original castles in Japan. Matsue is also known as a former samurai district and several former samurai residences still stand.

Where To Go In Shimane

  • Adachi Museum of Art
  • Izumo Taisha
  • Matsue Castle
  • Matsue Vogel Park
  • Nima Sand Museum
  • Oki Islands
  • Tamatsukuri Onsen
  • Tsuwano

Matsue

Matsue

Capital city and center of administration and economy of Shimane

Tsuwano

Tsuwano

Small castle town which prides itself on traditional arts and crafts

Adachi Museum of Art

Adachi Museum of Art

True traditional Japanese garden with a great collection of artwork

Izumo Taisha

Izumo Taisha

One of Japan's oldest and most important shrines; enshrines the creator of Japan

Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region and is home to the cultural, historic town of Kurashiki. Kurashiki, which roughly translates to “town of storehouses”, served as an important place of storage for the large quantities of rice that were brought into town before distribution.

Where To Go In Okayama

  • Great Seto Bridge
  • Hiruzen-kogen Highlands
  • Kibitsu-jinja Shrine
  • Korakuen Garden
  • Kurashiki
  • Mt. Washu-zan
  • Ohara Museum
  • Okayama Castle

Ohara Museum

Ohara Museum

Japan's oldest Western art museum displaying all kinds of artwork

Kurashiki

Kurashiki

Bikan Chiku - Town of Storehouses

Korakuen Garden

Korakuen Garden

One of three best landscape gardens in Japan

Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima Prefecture has two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Atomic Dome and Itsukushima Shrine. The Atomic Dome in Hiroshima was built to symbolize its wishes for everlasting peace after the atomic bombing the city suffered.

Where To Go In Hiroshima

  • Bihoku Hillside Park
  • Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome
  • Hiroshima Airport
  • Hiroshima Electric Railway
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
  • Itsukushima Shrine
  • Miyajima
  • Okunoshima
  • Setonaikai National Park
  • Shukkei-en
  • Tomonoura

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine

Famous floating torii gate on Miyajima

A-Bomb Dome

A-Bomb Dome

Symbolizes Hiroshima's wishes for everlasting peace after the atomic bomb attack

Miyajima

Miyajima

Popular name of Itsukushima Island; Iconic Floating Red Shrine

Peace Memorial Park

Peace Memorial Park

Dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack

Yamaguchi Prefecture

Yamaguchi Prefecture

In Yamaguchi's capital Yamaguchi City is Rurikoji, a Buddhist temple known for its glorious five storied pagoda. It is considered one of Japan’s three greatest pagodas and is a national treasure.

Where To Go In Yamaguchi

  • Akiyoshidai
  • Akiyoshido
  • Hagi Castle Town
  • Hofu Tenman-gu
  • Jam's & Garden
  • Kaikyokan Aquarium
  • Kanmon Bridge
  • Kintai Bridge
  • Mouri Garden
  • Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaii
  • SL Yamaguchi

Akiyoshidai

Akiyoshidai

Largest limestone karst topography and plateau

Mouri Garden

Mouri Garden

Beautiful all year round and appointed National Significant Scenery

Kanmon Bridge

Kanmon Bridge

Suspension bridge crossing the Kanmon Straits

Kintai Bridge

Kintai Bridge

Series of five wooden arches on the Nishiki River

Chugoku | Movie

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