Yamaguchi attractions: cave, bridge, market and strait fees and access
Choose Akiyoshi-do to walk past cave formations, or Iwakuni's Kintaikyo for a wooden bridge crossing and park walk. For sushi and a strait walk, visit Karato Market on an event day. Choose Kaikyokan in Shimonoseki for sea creatures, or the Kanmon pedestrian tunnel to walk beneath the sea. Rurikoji's pagoda and the Yuda Onsen footbath are separate visits in central Yamaguchi.
Choose sights separately from the itineraries
Akiyoshi-do Cave
秋芳洞
Walk through the cave to see limestone formations such as Hyakumaizara and the Golden Pillar. Allow about 90 minutes for the paid visit returning to the main entrance. For another exit, plan your return route separately. Wear shoes suited to slippery surfaces and steps.
- AdmissionSenior high school students and older normally pay JPY 1,600, JPY 1,900 on peak dates (27 April–7 May and 1 July–31 August 2026), or JPY 1,350 in December–February. Junior high school students pay JPY 1,300 normally and at peak, or JPY 1,050 off-peak. Primary school students pay JPY 850, or JPY 700 off-peak.
- Hours and closing daysStandard reception hours are 09:00–16:30, or 09:00–17:30 in July–September. Specified Golden Week and Obon dates have 08:30–17:30 reception. Kurotani and lift entrance reception ends at 16:30. The cave opens daily.
- Getting thereTake a Bocho Bus service to Akiyoshi-do from stand 2 at Shin-Yamaguchi Station's north bus terminal. Walk from Akiyoshi-do stop through the shopping street to the main entrance. A visit returning to the main entrance takes about 90 minutes, with lunch and the walk to the bus stop extra. Return from the same stop on a Shin-Yamaguchi Station-bound bus. Check outward and return services, the last return and fares for your date with the operator. This bus fare is excluded from itinerary subtotals.
Open official Akiyoshi-do informationBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetableCurrent Bocho Bus timetable
Kintaikyo Bridge
錦帯橋
Walk over the wooden arches for views of both riverbanks. The bridge has steps, and rain or snow can make its surface slippery.
- AdmissionReturn bridge tickets cost JPY 500 for junior high school students and older, JPY 250 for primary school students and nothing for preschool children. There is no one-way fare. The adult bridge, ropeway and Iwakuni Castle combination ticket is JPY 1,550.
- Hours and closing daysThe ticket office usually opens 08:00–17:00, extending to 18:00 in the tourist season and 19:00 in summer. The bridge can be crossed 24 hours a day; use the payment box when unstaffed. High river levels, heavy rain or strong winds may close it.
- Getting thereFrom Iwakuni Station stand 1, take a Kintaikyo-bound bus for about 20 minutes. Walk about one minute from Kintaikyo (錦帯橋) stop to the bridge. Routes 11 and 21 via Muronoki (室の木) cost JPY 300 one way or JPY 600 return for adults; check fares separately for other routes. A bus from Shin-Iwakuni Station takes about 15 minutes and is a different approach.
Open official Kintaikyo informationIwakuni tourism agency transport informationIwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11 and 21 fare tableCurrent Iwakuni Bus fare table list
Karato Market
唐戸市場
For a sushi lunch, visit Karato Market during its Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Japanese public-holiday sales event. The general fish market and sushi event have different operating days and hours.
- AdmissionMeal costs depend on the shop and how much you buy.
- Hours and closing daysThe sushi event runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays. From 15 May 2026, it starts at 09:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and 08:00 on Sundays and holidays. Shops vary; check your date's notices for finishing times and temporary schedules. There is no event Monday–Thursday unless it is a Japanese public holiday.
- Getting thereTake a Karato-bound bus from Shimonoseki Station and get off at Karato (唐戸), then walk to the market. The operator gives about seven minutes from station stands 1 or 2 on the Kokudo Line, then three minutes' walking. The adult one-way fare is JPY 260. Return from the stop towards Shimonoseki Station.
Open official Karato Market informationKarato Market sushi event operationsSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line faresShimonoseki Station bus stands
Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel
関門トンネル人道
Use the Kanmon pedestrian tunnel to walk beneath the sea from Yamaguchi to Fukuoka Prefecture. Enter through the pedestrian entrance, separate from the road tunnel and JR rail tunnel.
- AdmissionPedestrians enter free. Bicycles and mopeds cost JPY 20 and must be pushed through on foot.
- Hours and closing daysThe pedestrian tunnel opens daily from 06:00–22:00. Check changes to facility operations or access restrictions before visiting.
- Getting thereTake the lift down at the Shimonoseki pedestrian entrance and walk the 780 m passage. Going to Moji and back is 1.56 km within the tunnel alone. From Shimonoseki Station stands 1 or 2, take a Kokudo Line bus to Mimosusogawa (御裳川), then walk about one minute to the entrance. From Karato, use stand 6. Adult one-way buses cost JPY 300. Before departure, check return services for your date and the location of the return stop at Mimosusogawa.
Open official Kanmon pedestrian tunnel informationSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares
Kikko Park
吉香公園
After crossing Kintaikyo, walk about five minutes to Kikko Park. Add a walk through its paths after the bridge visit. Entry is free; the official suggested visiting time is about 30 minutes.
- AdmissionAdmission is free.
- Hours and closing daysThe park opens 24 hours, with no regular closing day or booking requirement.
- Access and return journeyAfter crossing Kintaikyo, walk about five minutes towards the park. From Iwakuni Station, take a Kintaikyo-bound bus first.
Rurikoji five-storey pagoda
Rurikoji Temple's Five-storied Pagoda瑠璃光寺五重塔
Explore the pagoda's architecture and Kozan Park scenery. Standard exterior viewing is free; allow 45–60 minutes for the pagoda and park. Special interior viewing is a separate paid programme on specified dates. Allow extra for JR rides, waiting and meals.
- AdmissionStandard exterior viewing is free. Special interior viewing costs a separate JPY 1,700 and is excluded from the standard itineraries.
- Hours and closing daysDistinguish exterior viewing from information centre hours. The centre in front of Kozan Park opens 09:00–18:00; illumination runs from sunset to 22:00. Special interior viewing takes place only on specified dates and sessions.
- Access and return journeyTake a JR Yamaguchi Line local train towards Yamaguchi from Shin-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. Before leaving, choose a return train allowing for the walk back. After visiting, follow the same route to Yamaguchi Station and take a Shin-Yamaguchi-bound local train, leaving time for your next journey after arrival. Adult local train fares are JPY 240 one way or JPY 480 return and are included in subtotals for itineraries using this section. Look up outward and return times separately for your date.
Standard Rurikoji visit and walk from the prefectural officeRurikoji special interior viewing conditionsOpen official informationJR 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 searchOfficial JR adult local train section fares, searched 9 October 2026
Akama-jingu Shrine
赤間神宮
Pass through the red Suitenmon gate to visit the shrine, then explore records of the Genpei War in the Treasure Hall. Allow 45–60 minutes for the paid hall visit and entrance access, with bus waiting time extra.
- AdmissionTreasure Hall admission is JPY 100. The cost table includes it and return buses.
- Hours and closing daysThe Treasure Hall is listed as open 09:00–16:30 with no closing day. This itinerary visits within those hours.
- Access and return journeyTake a Sanden Kotsu regular Kokudo Line route 10–24 service to Akama-jingu-mae (赤間神宮前), then walk about one minute. The operator gives about eight minutes' ride time; the regular adult fare is JPY 270 one way. Return from the stop of the same name towards Shimonoseki Station.
Tourism agency Akama-jingu informationSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares
Kaikyokan Aquarium
海響館
Observe sea creatures and compare different kinds of pufferfish. Allow two to three hours for exhibits; to include shows, plan around the day's programme. Activities have separate application conditions from general admission.
- AdmissionGeneral admission is JPY 2,500 for senior high school students and older, JPY 1,200 for primary and junior high school students, and JPY 500 for preschool children aged three and over. Special activities cost extra.
- Hours and closing daysThe aquarium usually opens daily from 09:30–17:30, with last admission at 17:00. Inspections, weather or animal conditions may change operations.
- Access and return journeyTake a regular Kokudo Line route 10–24 bus from Shimonoseki Station to Kaikyokan-mae (海響館前), then walk about three minutes. The ride takes about five minutes; the adult regular fare is JPY 260 one way. Semi-express routes 121 and 127 do not stop here, so choose a regular service that does. Return on a regular bus towards the station.
Current Kaikyokan feesOfficial Kaikyokan access informationSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares
Footbath outside Yuda Onsen Tourist Information Center
Yuda Onsen Tourist Information Center Footbath湯田温泉観光案内所前足湯
Rest at the free footbath outside the information centre. Allow 45–60 minutes for the footbath and a nearby walk. It is different from a full-body bathing facility. On the final day, allow time between return trains and your next departure.
- AdmissionThe footbath is free. Towels, meals, cafés and footbaths at other facilities cost extra.
- Hours and closing daysThe tourist information centre opens daily 09:00–18:00; its outdoor free footbath opens 10:00–22:00. This itinerary visits between 10:00 and 18:00 while the centre is also open.
- Access and return journeyTake a JR Yamaguchi Line train towards Yamaguchi or Tsuwano from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yuda-Onsen Station (湯田温泉駅), then walk about 10 minutes to the information centre. Return from the same station towards Shin-Yamaguchi. Adult local train fares are JPY 240 one way or JPY 480 return, included in subtotals for itineraries using this section. Look up outward and return times separately for your date.
Tourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath informationYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursYuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath listOfficial JR adult local train section fares, searched 9 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Does Akiyoshi-do admission vary by date?
Individual admission for senior high school students and older is normally JPY 1,600, or JPY 1,350 in December–February. It is JPY 1,900 on 27 April–7 May and 1 July–31 August 2026. Peak periods for hours and fees differ, so check both notices for your date.
Does the JPY 500 Kintaikyo ticket include the ropeway and castle?
JPY 500 buys an individual return bridge ticket for junior high school students and older. The separate adult combination ticket including the ropeway and Iwakuni Castle is JPY 1,550. Standard itinerary costs include only the bridge.
Does the Karato sushi event run on weekdays?
It runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Do not plan for it Monday–Thursday unless it is a Japanese public holiday. From 15 May 2026, it starts at 09:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and 08:00 on Sundays and holidays. Check individual shop arrangements and finishing notices for your date.
Open official Karato Market informationKarato Market sushi event operations
Is the pagoda interior free too?
Standard exterior viewing at Rurikoji is free. Special interior viewing in October–December 2026 is a separate JPY 1,700 programme with specified dates, sessions and booking conditions. The standard itineraries include only the exterior.
Rurikoji special interior viewing conditionsStandard Rurikoji visit and walk from the prefectural office
When does the footbath open?
The free footbath outside the information centre opens 10:00–22:00. The centre itself opens 09:00–18:00; this itinerary visits between 10:00 and 18:00. Distinguish these from hours and fees at other footbaths or full-body baths.
Tourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath informationYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursYuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list
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 ·
- Open official information ·
- Tourism agency Akama-jingu information ·
- Official Kaikyokan access information ·
- Tourism agency Yuda Onsen footbath information ·
- 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 ·
- JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station ·
- Standard Rurikoji visit and walk from the prefectural office ·
- Shimonoseki Station bus stands ·
- Iwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11 and 21 fare table ·
- Current Iwakuni Bus fare table list ·
- JR train and fare search ·
- Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable ·
- 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 ·