Yamaguchi in three days: move cities or stay in Shimonoseki?

Take a Kintaikyo-bound bus from Iwakuni Station stand 1. Routes 11 and 21 via Muronoki (室の木) cost JPY 300 one way or JPY 600 return for adults. Walk about one minute from Kintaikyo (錦帯橋) stop to the bridge entrance. Do not apply this fare to routes via other places.

Open official Kintaikyo information2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism agency transport information2026-10-08Iwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11 and 21 fare table2026-10-08Current Iwakuni Bus fare table list2026-10-08

Cross the river with the JPY 500 adult return bridge ticket, then walk about five minutes to Kikko Park. The park's official suggested visit is about 30 minutes; allow 90–120 minutes for the bridge, park and lunch. Ropeway and castle admission cost extra.

Open official Kintaikyo information2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism agency transport information2026-10-08Tourism agency Kikko Park information2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus October changes2026-10-08

Walk about five minutes from the park back to the bridge and cross using your return ticket. Walk about another minute to the bus stop for Iwakuni Station. Distinguish it from a Shin-Iwakuni-bound bus; stay in Iwakuni tonight.

Open official Kintaikyo information2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism agency transport information2026-10-08Tourism agency Kikko Park information2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus October changes2026-10-08

Take JR from Iwakuni to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, then an Akiyoshi-do bus from stand 2 at the north terminal. Sanyo Main Line local trains and Shinkansen services departing Shin-Iwakuni have different departure stations and fares. Use the official search to choose JR and return cave buses together. If there is too little time for the visit and lunch, move the cave to the final day and adjust your departure.

Current Bocho Bus timetable2026-10-08Open official Akiyoshi-do information2026-10-08Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable2026-10-08JR train and fare search2026-10-08

From Akiyoshi-do bus stop, walk through the shopping street to the main entrance. Explore the standard route as a round trip returning to the same entrance. The official suggested visiting time is about 90 minutes; allow extra for the entrance walk and lunch.

Current Bocho Bus timetable2026-10-08Open official Akiyoshi-do information2026-10-08Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable2026-10-08

Leave through the main entrance and walk through the shopping street to Akiyoshi-do bus stop. Take a Shin-Yamaguchi Station-bound bus. Choose a return allowing time to walk to the stop; stay in Shin-Yamaguchi tonight.

Current Bocho Bus timetable2026-10-08Open official Akiyoshi-do information2026-10-08Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable2026-10-08

Take a JR Yamaguchi Line local train towards Yamaguchi and get off at Yamaguchi Station. The city's tourism guide gives a ride time of about 25 minutes. Check Yamaguchi Station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park on the official city map, then walk about 25 minutes to Rurikoji. Before leaving, choose a return train allowing for the walk back to the station.

JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station2026-10-08Official prefectural tourism guide: approximately 25-minute walk from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji2026-10-09Official Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park2026-10-09JR train and fare search2026-10-08

Allow 45–60 minutes for the pagoda's exterior and Kozan Park. Special interior viewing, with separate dates and booking conditions, is excluded from this itinerary.

JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station2026-10-08Standard Rurikoji visit and walk from the prefectural office2026-10-08Rurikoji special interior viewing conditions2026-10-08

After visiting, follow the same walking route back to Yamaguchi Station and take a JR Yamaguchi Line local train towards Shin-Yamaguchi. Choose a train after allowing for the pagoda visit and walk, with time for your next journey after reaching Shin-Yamaguchi.

JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station2026-10-08Official prefectural tourism guide: approximately 25-minute walk from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji2026-10-09Official Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park2026-10-09JR train and fare search2026-10-08

From stand 1 or 2 at Shimonoseki Station, take a Kokudo Line bus towards Karato (唐戸). The ride takes about seven minutes, followed by about three minutes' walking to the market.

Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Shimonoseki Station bus stands2026-10-08

The sushi event starts at 09:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 08:00 on Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Check event finishing notices and individual shop hours, allowing 90–120 minutes for a meal and coastal walk. Adult return buses cost JPY 520; food costs extra. Swap the market and tunnel days to match the event schedule if needed.

Open official Karato Market information2026-10-08Karato Market sushi event operations2026-10-08Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09

Walk about three minutes back to Karato bus stop for a Shimonoseki Station-bound bus. Check which of the official stands 5 or 7 your service uses. These differ from sightseeing-direction stand 6. Return to your Shimonoseki accommodation.

Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Karato return bus stands2026-10-08

From Shimonoseki Station stand 1 or 2, choose a regular Kokudo Line route 10–24 service stopping at Mimosusogawa (御裳川). The ride takes about 11 minutes, followed by about a one-minute walk to the pedestrian tunnel entrance. Adult return buses cost JPY 600.

Open official Kanmon pedestrian tunnel information2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Shimonoseki Station bus stands2026-10-08

Take the lift down, walk to the Moji side, then return through the same undersea passage. Pedestrians enter free; access is 06:00–22:00. Allowing 60–90 minutes for the 1.56 km round trip is a suggested walking plan.

Open official Kanmon pedestrian tunnel information2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

Take the lift up on the Shimonoseki side and walk about one minute to Mimosusogawa bus stop. Return on a Shimonoseki Station-bound bus, distinguishing it from services towards Shin-Shimonoseki. Return to the same Shimonoseki accommodation tonight.

Open official Kanmon pedestrian tunnel information2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

From Shimonoseki Station stand 1 or 2, choose a regular Kokudo Line route 10–24 service stopping at Akama-jingu-mae (赤間神宮前). The operator gives about eight minutes' ride time, followed by about one minute's walking to the shrine.

Tourism agency Akama-jingu information2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Shimonoseki Station bus stands2026-10-08

Akama-jingu's Treasure Hall opens 09:00–16:30 and costs JPY 100. Allow 45–60 minutes for your visit within these hours.

Tourism agency Akama-jingu information2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

Walk about one minute back to the stop in front of the shrine and take a Shimonoseki Station-bound bus. Adult return buses cost JPY 540. Look up return services from this stop towards the station. The itinerary ends at Shimonoseki Station; add separate JR travel and fares for departure from Shin-Shimonoseki.

Tourism agency Akama-jingu information2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08