Yamaguchi in four days: east and centre, or a western stay?
One night in Iwakuni followed by two in Shin-Yamaguchi gives the pagoda and cave separate days. Visit the cave the day after moving accommodation. For the aquarium, market, tunnel and Akama-jingu, stay three nights in Shimonoseki and return to the same accommodation each day.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days / 3 nights
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi city and the cave
Spend one night near Iwakuni Station, then two near Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Focus on the eastern bridge and central pagoda, cave and footbath without travelling to Shimonoseki.
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi city and the cave →4 days / 3 nights BShimonoseki aquarium and strait
Spend three nights near Shimonoseki Station. Stay in the west without travelling to the cave or Iwakuni, separating aquarium viewing from outdoor walks.
Shimonoseki aquarium and strait →Iwakuni, Yamaguchi city and the cave
Spend one night near Iwakuni Station, then two near Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Focus on the eastern bridge and central pagoda, cave and footbath without travelling to Shimonoseki.
Day 1 · Iwakuni Station → Kintaikyo and park → station
Visit Kintaikyo and the park and return to Iwakuni Station.
- Iwakuni Station → Kintaikyo Bridge and Kikko Park
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 informationIwakuni tourism agency transport informationIwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11 and 21 fare tableCurrent Iwakuni Bus fare table list
- Kintaikyo and Kikko Park entrance → Bridge and park visit and a meal
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 informationIwakuni tourism agency transport informationTourism agency Kikko Park informationIwakuni Bus October changes
- Kintaikyo Bridge and Kikko Park → Accommodation in Iwakuni
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 informationIwakuni tourism agency transport informationTourism agency Kikko Park informationIwakuni Bus October changes
Day 2 · Iwakuni → Shin-Yamaguchi → Rurikoji → Shin-Yamaguchi
Move to Shin-Yamaguchi, visit Rurikoji and return to your new base.
- Iwakuni Station and accommodation → Yamaguchi Station and Rurikoji
Take JR from Iwakuni to Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Sanyo Main Line local trains and Shinkansen services departing Shin-Iwakuni have different departure stations and fares; choose a route in the official search below. At Shin-Yamaguchi, take a JR Yamaguchi Line local train towards Yamaguchi and get off at Yamaguchi Station. The city's tourism guide gives about 25 minutes' ride time. Check the station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park on the official city map, then walk about 25 minutes to Rurikoji. Choose a return train before leaving, allowing for the walk back to the station.
JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi StationOfficial prefectural tourism guide: approximately 25-minute walk from Yamaguchi Station to RurikojiOfficial Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan ParkJR train and fare search
- Rurikoji and Kozan Park entrance → Rurikoji and Kozan Park exterior visit
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 StationStandard Rurikoji visit and walk from the prefectural officeRurikoji special interior viewing conditions
- Rurikoji and Yamaguchi Station → Accommodation in Shin-Yamaguchi
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 StationOfficial prefectural tourism guide: approximately 25-minute walk from Yamaguchi Station to RurikojiOfficial Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan ParkJR train and fare search
Day 3 · Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Akiyoshi-do → same accommodation
Visit Akiyoshi-do and return to the same accommodation.
- Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Akiyoshi-do Cave
Take a Bocho Bus service to Akiyoshi-do from stand 2 at Shin-Yamaguchi Station's north bus terminal. Choose outward and return buses together so you can return after the cave visit and lunch. Check the official current timetable linked below.
Current Bocho Bus timetableOpen official Akiyoshi-do informationBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable
- Akiyoshi-do entrance → Cave visit and a meal
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 timetableOpen official Akiyoshi-do informationBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable
- Akiyoshi-do Cave → Accommodation in Shin-Yamaguchi
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 timetableOpen official Akiyoshi-do informationBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable
Day 4 · Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Yuda Onsen footbath → station
Visit the Yuda Onsen footbath and return to Shin-Yamaguchi Station.
- Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Yuda Onsen information centre footbath
Take a JR Yamaguchi Line train towards Yamaguchi or Tsuwano and get off at Yuda-Onsen Station. Look up return trains to Shin-Yamaguchi and their fares.
Tourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath informationYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursYuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list
- Yuda Onsen information centre footbath entrance → Footbath and nearby walk
Walk about 10 minutes from Yuda-Onsen Station to the tourist information centre. The free footbath opens 10:00–22:00. This itinerary visits between 10:00 and 18:00, while the centre is also open. Allow 45–60 minutes for the footbath and a nearby walk.
Tourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath informationYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursYuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list
- Yuda Onsen information centre footbath → Shin-Yamaguchi Station and accommodation
Walk about 10 minutes back to Yuda-Onsen Station and take a Shin-Yamaguchi-bound train. On this final day, choose a return leaving time to prepare for departure after reaching Shin-Yamaguchi Station.
Tourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath informationYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursYuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list
Included: Kintaikyo JPY 500 + seasonal cave admission + free park, pagoda exterior and footbath. Return buses on routes 11 and 21 between Iwakuni Station and Kintaikyo cost JPY 300 × 2 rides. Adult JR local train fares: Iwakuni → Shin-Yamaguchi JPY 1,690 + Shin-Yamaguchi–Yamaguchi (JPY 240 × 2 rides) + Shin-Yamaguchi–Yuda-Onsen (JPY 240 × 2 rides), totalling JPY 2,650 when buying separate tickets for each section.
Extra costs and conditions: The unconfirmed return Bocho Bus fare between Shin-Yamaguchi and Akiyoshi-do is excluded. If choosing the Shinkansen, look up travel to its departure station and the base-fare and limited-express tickets separately; do not use the local train fare above. Flights, accommodation, meals, travel to your arrival station, luggage storage, additional transport and activities cost extra.
Open official Kintaikyo informationOpen official Akiyoshi-do informationTourism agency Kikko Park informationStandard Rurikoji visit and walk from the prefectural officeTourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath informationYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursIwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11 and 21 fare tableCurrent Iwakuni Bus fare table listBocho information desks and officesJR train and fare searchJR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi StationOfficial prefectural tourism guide: approximately 25-minute walk from Yamaguchi Station to RurikojiOfficial Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan ParkOfficial JR adult local train section fares, searched 9 October 2026
Shimonoseki aquarium and strait
Spend three nights near Shimonoseki Station. Stay in the west without travelling to the cave or Iwakuni, separating aquarium viewing from outdoor walks.
Day 1 · Shimonoseki Station → Kaikyokan → station
Visit Kaikyokan and return to Shimonoseki Station.
- Shimonoseki Station → Kaikyokan Aquarium
From Shimonoseki Station stand 1 or 2, take a regular Kokudo Line route 10–24 service stopping at Kaikyokan-mae (海響館前). The ride takes about five minutes, followed by about three minutes' walking to the entrance. Semi-express routes 121 and 127 do not stop here.
Official Kaikyokan access informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessShimonoseki Station bus stands
- Kaikyokan entrance → Aquarium visit and a meal
Visit Kaikyokan from 09:30; last admission is 17:00. Allow two to three hours for exhibits and choose shows from the day's programme. The subtotal includes adult admission of JPY 2,500 and return buses of JPY 520; meals and additional activities are excluded.
Official Kaikyokan access informationCurrent Kaikyokan feesCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares
- Kaikyokan Aquarium → Accommodation in Shimonoseki
Walk about three minutes back to Kaikyokan-mae and take a regular bus towards Shimonoseki Station. If staying until a show finishes, plan its timing alongside your return bus. Stay in Shimonoseki tonight.
Official Kaikyokan access informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
Day 2 · Shimonoseki Station → Karato Market → station
Visit Karato Market and return to Shimonoseki Station.
- Shimonoseki Station → Karato Market
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.
Karato Market sushi event operationsCurrent Kokudo Line timetableSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessShimonoseki Station bus stands
- Karato Market entrance → Market visit and a meal
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 with the aquarium or tunnel day if the event schedule suits another day.
Open official Karato Market informationKarato Market sushi event operations
- Karato Market → Accommodation in Shimonoseki
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 timetableSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessKarato return bus standsCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares
Day 3 · Shimonoseki Station → tunnel return walk → station
Walk through the tunnel and return to Shimonoseki Station.
- Shimonoseki Station → Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel
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 informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
- Kanmon pedestrian tunnel entrance → Return walk through the Kanmon pedestrian tunnel
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 informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
- Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel → Accommodation in Shimonoseki
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. Spend your third night in Shimonoseki.
Open official Kanmon pedestrian tunnel informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
Day 4 · Shimonoseki Station → Akama-jingu → station
Visit Akama-jingu and return to Shimonoseki Station.
- Shimonoseki Station → Akama-jingu Treasure Hall
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 informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
- Akama-jingu Treasure Hall entrance → Akama-jingu Treasure Hall visit
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 informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
- Akama-jingu Treasure Hall → Shimonoseki Station and accommodation
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 informationCurrent Kokudo Line timetableCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
Included: Kaikyokan JPY 2,500 + return Karato buses JPY 520 + return aquarium buses JPY 520 + return tunnel access buses JPY 600 + return shrine buses JPY 540 + Treasure Hall JPY 100.
Extra costs and conditions: The specified Shimonoseki sightseeing journeys on regular Kokudo Line return buses are included. Flights, accommodation, meals, travel to the airport or arrival station, luggage storage, unlisted transport and activities cost extra.
Current Kaikyokan feesCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresOpen official Kanmon pedestrian tunnel informationTourism agency Akama-jingu information
Frequently asked questions
Does the itinerary visit the cave on the day I move from Iwakuni?
No. Day two moves from Iwakuni to Shin-Yamaguchi and visits Rurikoji's exterior. The cave is on day three after staying in Shin-Yamaguchi. This separates the intercity move from the cave return trip. The subtotal includes JPY 1,690 for the Iwakuni → Shin-Yamaguchi local train and JPY 480 return JR travel to Yamaguchi Station. Add return Bocho Bus fares separately.
JR train and fare searchJR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi StationBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetableOfficial JR adult local train section fares, searched 9 October 2026
Do all buses stop in front of Kaikyokan?
Choose a regular route 10–24 service that stops at Kaikyokan-mae. Semi-express routes 121 and 127 do not stop there. Events such as marathons may change buses and access routes; check current facility and operator notices.
Sanden Kotsu stops and walking accessKaikyokan event traffic restriction notice
Official sources and dates checked
- Current Bocho Bus timetable ·
- Open official Akiyoshi-do information ·
- Open official Kintaikyo information ·
- Iwakuni tourism agency transport information ·
- Open official Karato Market information ·
- Karato Market sushi event operations ·
- Open official Kanmon pedestrian tunnel information ·
- Tourism agency Kikko Park information ·
- Tourism agency Akama-jingu information ·
- Official Kaikyokan access information ·
- Tourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath information ·
- Current Kokudo Line timetable ·
- Current Kaikyokan fees ·
- Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares ·
- Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access ·
- Rurikoji special interior viewing conditions ·
- Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours ·
- Iwakuni Bus October changes ·
- JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station ·
- Standard Rurikoji visit and walk from the prefectural office ·
- Shimonoseki Station bus stands ·
- Karato return bus stands ·
- Iwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11 and 21 fare table ·
- Current Iwakuni Bus fare table list ·
- Bocho information desks and offices ·
- JR train and fare search ·
- Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable ·
- Kaikyokan event traffic restriction notice ·
- JR Sanyo-San'in pass fees and valid trains ·
- JR West All Area Pass fees and valid trains ·
- Official prefectural tourism guide: approximately 25-minute walk from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji ·
- Official Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park ·
- Official JR adult local train section fares, searched 9 October 2026 ·
- Yuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list ·