Yamaguchi in 5 days: travel east to west or the other way?

Take a Kintaikyo-bound bus from Iwakuni Station bay 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. Other routings may have different fares.

Open the official Kintaikyo Bridge guide2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism transport guide2026-10-08Iwakuni Station–Kintaikyo fares for routes 11 and 212026-10-08Iwakuni Bus current fare tables2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus October changes2026-10-08

Use the JPY 500 adult return bridge ticket to cross the river, then walk about five minutes to Kikko Park. The park’s official visiting estimate is about 30 minutes. Allow 90–120 minutes for bridge, park and lunch together. Ropeway and castle admission cost extra.

Open the official Kintaikyo Bridge guide2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism transport guide2026-10-08Kikko Park tourism guide2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus October changes2026-10-08

Walk about five minutes from the park back to the bridge and cross with your return ticket. Walk another minute to the stop and take an Iwakuni Station-bound bus, distinguishing Shin-Iwakuni-bound services. Stay in Iwakuni tonight.

Open the official Kintaikyo Bridge guide2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism transport guide2026-10-08Kikko Park tourism guide2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus October changes2026-10-08

Take JR from Iwakuni to Shin-Yamaguchi. Sanyo Main Line local trains and Shinkansen from Shin-Iwakuni have different departure stations and fares; choose your route in the official search below. From Shin-Yamaguchi, take a Yamaguchi-bound local JR Yamaguchi Line train to Yamaguchi Station. The city tourism guide gives a ride of about 25 minutes. Locate 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 that allows the walk back to the station.

JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station2026-10-08Official prefectural travel guide: about 25 minutes on foot 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 Rurikoji’s five-storey pagoda exterior and Kozan Park. Special pagoda interior visits with separate dates and booking conditions are excluded.

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

Retrace your walking route to Yamaguchi Station, then take a Shin-Yamaguchi-bound local JR Yamaguchi Line train. Choose a departure after the visit and station walk, leaving time for onward travel after arrival in Shin-Yamaguchi.

JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station2026-10-08Official prefectural travel guide: about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji2026-10-09Official Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park2026-10-09JR train and fare search2026-10-08

Take an Akiyoshido-bound Bocho bus from bay 2 at Shin-Yamaguchi Station’s north bus terminal. Choose outbound and return services together to allow the cave visit and lunch before returning. Check the current official timetable at the link below.

Current Bocho bus timetable2026-10-08Open the official Akiyoshido guide2026-10-08Bocho bus timetable revised in October 20262026-10-08

From Akiyoshido stop, walk through the shopping street to the main entrance. Follow the ordinary cave route and return to the same entrance. The official visiting estimate is about 90 minutes; allow extra time for the entrance approach and lunch.

Current Bocho bus timetable2026-10-08Open the official Akiyoshido guide2026-10-08Bocho bus timetable revised in October 20262026-10-08

Leave by the main entrance, walk through the shopping street to Akiyoshido stop and take a Shin-Yamaguchi Station-bound bus. Choose a return bus that leaves time to walk to the stop. Stay in Shin-Yamaguchi tonight.

Current Bocho bus timetable2026-10-08Open the official Akiyoshido guide2026-10-08Bocho bus timetable revised in October 20262026-10-08

Take a Shimonoseki-bound JR Sanyo Main Line train from Shin-Yamaguchi. Check transfers and arrival for your date, then take a Kokudo Line bus towards Karato (唐戸) from Shimonoseki Station bay 1 or 2. The reference ride is about seven minutes, followed by a roughly three-minute walk to the market.

JR train and fare search2026-10-08Karato Market sushi event schedule2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Shimonoseki Station bus bays2026-10-08

The sushi event starts at 09:00 Fridays and Saturdays, or 08:00 Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Check event closing guidance and individual stalls’ hours. Allow 90–120 minutes for meals and a waterfront walk. Adult return buses cost JPY 520; food is separate. If no event runs on day four, choose other Shimonoseki sights instead of assuming a market sushi meal.

Open the official Karato Market guide2026-10-08Karato Market sushi event schedule2026-10-08Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09

Walk about three minutes back to Karato stop and take a Shimonoseki Station-bound bus. Confirm your service’s boarding point among official bays 5 and 7, distinguishing sightseeing-bound bay 6. Return to your Shimonoseki accommodation.

Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Karato return bus bays2026-10-08

From Shimonoseki Station bay 1 or 2, choose an ordinary Kokudo Line route 10–24 stopping at Mimosusogawa (御裳川). The reference ride is about 11 minutes, then about one minute on foot to the tunnel entrance. Adult return buses cost JPY 600.

Open the official Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel guide2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

Take the elevator down, walk to the Moji side and return through the same undersea passage. Pedestrians enter free, 06:00–22:00. Allow 60–90 minutes for the suggested 1.56 km return walk.

Open the official Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel guide2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

Take the Shimonoseki-side elevator up and walk about one minute to Mimosusogawa stop. Return by Shimonoseki Station-bound bus, distinguishing services towards Shin-Shimonoseki. On your final day, allow departure preparation time after reaching the station as well.

Open the official Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel guide2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

From Shimonoseki Station bay 1 or 2, take an ordinary Kokudo Line route 10–24 stopping at Kaikyokan-mae (海響館前). The reference ride is about five minutes, followed by about three minutes on foot to the entrance. Semi-express routes 121 and 127 skip this stop.

Kaikyokan official access guide2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Shimonoseki Station bus bays2026-10-08

Kaikyokan visits start at 09:30, with last admission at 17:00. Allow two to three hours and choose performances from the day’s information. Adult admission of JPY 2,500 and JPY 520 return buses are included; meals and separate activities are excluded.

Kaikyokan official access guide2026-10-08Current Kaikyokan admission prices2026-10-08Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09

Walk about three minutes back to Kaikyokan-mae and take an ordinary Shimonoseki Station-bound bus. If watching a performance to the end, plan its timing together with your return service. Stay in Shimonoseki tonight.

Kaikyokan official access guide2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

From Shimonoseki Station bay 1 or 2, choose an ordinary Kokudo Line route 10–24 stopping at Akama Jingu-mae (赤間神宮前). The operator’s reference ride is about eight minutes, followed by about one minute on foot to the shrine.

Akama Shrine tourism guide2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

The treasure hall opens 09:00–16:30, with admission of JPY 100. Allow 45–60 minutes to visit, within its opening hours.

Akama Shrine tourism guide2026-10-08Current 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 shrine-front stop and take a Shimonoseki Station-bound bus. Adult return buses cost JPY 540. Search station-bound services from this stop. Spend your second night in Shimonoseki, then move to Shin-Yamaguchi tomorrow.

Akama Shrine tourism guide2026-10-08Current Kokudo Line timetable2026-10-09Current Sanden Kotsu Kokudo Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

Take a Shin-Yamaguchi-bound JR Sanyo Main Line train from Shimonoseki. Check transfers and arrival for your date, then take a Yamaguchi-bound local JR Yamaguchi Line train from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station. The city tourism guide gives a ride of about 25 minutes. Locate 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 that allows the walk back.

JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station2026-10-08Official prefectural travel guide: about 25 minutes on foot 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 Rurikoji’s five-storey pagoda exterior and Kozan Park. Special pagoda interior visits with separate dates and booking conditions are excluded.

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

Retrace your walking route to Yamaguchi Station, then take a Shin-Yamaguchi-bound local JR Yamaguchi Line train. Choose a departure after the visit and station walk, leaving time for onward travel after arrival in Shin-Yamaguchi.

JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station2026-10-08Official prefectural travel guide: about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji2026-10-09Official Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park2026-10-09JR train and fare search2026-10-08

Take an Akiyoshido-bound Bocho bus from bay 2 at Shin-Yamaguchi Station’s north bus terminal. Choose outbound and return services together to allow the cave visit and lunch before returning. Check the current official timetable at the link below.

Current Bocho bus timetable2026-10-08Open the official Akiyoshido guide2026-10-08Bocho bus timetable revised in October 20262026-10-08

From Akiyoshido stop, walk through the shopping street to the main entrance. Follow the ordinary cave route and return to the same entrance. The official visiting estimate is about 90 minutes; allow extra time for the entrance approach and lunch.

Current Bocho bus timetable2026-10-08Open the official Akiyoshido guide2026-10-08Bocho bus timetable revised in October 20262026-10-08

Leave by the main entrance, walk through the shopping street to Akiyoshido stop and take a Shin-Yamaguchi Station-bound bus. Choose a return bus that leaves time to walk to the stop. Stay in Shin-Yamaguchi tonight.

Current Bocho bus timetable2026-10-08Open the official Akiyoshido guide2026-10-08Bocho bus timetable revised in October 20262026-10-08

Take a JR Yamaguchi Line train towards Yamaguchi/Tsuwano from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yuda Onsen Station. Look up the returning Shin-Yamaguchi train and fare together as well.

Yuda Onsen footbath tourism guide2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list2026-10-09

Walk about 10 minutes from Yuda Onsen Station to the tourist information centre. The free footbath opens 10:00–22:00. This route visits between 10:00 and 18:00 while the centre is open, allowing 45–60 minutes for the footbath and a nearby walk.

Yuda Onsen footbath tourism guide2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list2026-10-09

After the footbath, retrace the roughly 10-minute walk to Yuda Onsen Station and take a Shin-Yamaguchi-bound train. For the final day, choose a return leaving time after reaching Shin-Yamaguchi for departure preparations.

Yuda Onsen footbath tourism guide2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association's current footbath list2026-10-09