Yamaguchi in 2 days and 1 night: cave and pagoda, or market and tunnel
Stay in Shin-Yamaguchi for Akiyoshido and Rurikoji’s pagoda, or Shimonoseki for Karato Market and the Kanmon underwater tunnel. Match the market visit to a sushi-event day. Reduce sightseeing if arriving late or departing on the second morning.
Choose a 1 night, 2 days itinerary
The cave and pagoda
Spend one night near Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Visit the cave and pagoda on separate days without changing cities for your accommodation.
The cave and pagoda →1 night, 2 days BWeekend market and underwater tunnel
Spend one night near Shimonoseki Station. Choose this option when your first day is a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Japanese public holiday, with market food and a strait walk on separate days.
Weekend market and underwater tunnel →The cave and pagoda
Spend one night near Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Visit the cave and pagoda on separate days without changing cities for your accommodation.
Day 1 · Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Akiyoshido → Shin-Yamaguchi
Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Akiyoshido → Shin-Yamaguchi
- Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Akiyoshido
Take a Bocho Bus bound for Akiyoshido from stand 2 at Shin-Yamaguchi Station’s north bus terminal. Choose the outbound and return services together so that you can return after the cave visit and lunch. The current official timetable is linked below.
Current Bocho Bus timetableOpen Akiyoshido’s official guideBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable
- Akiyoshido entrance → Akiyoshido visit and meal
From Akiyoshido bus stop, walk through the shopping street to the front entrance. Follow the ordinary cave route out and back to the same entrance. The official suggested visiting time is about 90 minutes; allow extra time for the walk to the entrance and lunch.
Current Bocho Bus timetableOpen Akiyoshido’s official guideBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable
- Akiyoshido → Accommodation in Shin-Yamaguchi
Leave through the front entrance and walk through the shopping street to Akiyoshido bus stop. Take a bus back to Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Choose a return service that allows time to reach the stop on foot. Stay in Shin-Yamaguchi tonight.
Current Bocho Bus timetableOpen Akiyoshido’s official guideBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable
Day 2 · Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Rurikoji exterior → station
Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Rurikoji exterior → station
- Shin-Yamaguchi Station → Yamaguchi Station and Rurikoji
From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take a JR Yamaguchi Line local train towards Yamaguchi and alight at Yamaguchi Station. The city’s tourism guide gives a journey time of about 25 minutes. Locate 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 that also allows time to walk back to the station.
JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi StationOfficial prefectural travel guide · about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to RurikojiYamaguchi City official map · station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan ParkJR journey and fare search
- Rurikoji and Kozan Park entrance → Rurikoji and Kozan Park exterior visit
Allow 45–60 minutes for Rurikoji’s five-storey pagoda exterior and Kozan Park. Special visits inside the pagoda have separate dates and booking conditions and are excluded from this course.
JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi StationRurikoji ordinary visits and walk from the prefectural officeRurikoji special interior-visit conditions
- Rurikoji and Yamaguchi Station → Shin-Yamaguchi Station and accommodation
After visiting, retrace your walking route to Yamaguchi Station and take a JR Yamaguchi Line local train to Shin-Yamaguchi. Choose a train you can catch after the visit and walk, and allow time for your next journey after reaching Shin-Yamaguchi.
JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi StationOfficial prefectural travel guide · about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to RurikojiYamaguchi City official map · station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan ParkJR journey and fare search
Included: The subtotal includes Akiyoshido’s seasonal admission and free pagoda exterior viewing. Adult JR fares for the Shin-Yamaguchi–Yamaguchi local train are JPY 240 × 2 = JPY 480, based on separate tickets for each segment.
Extra costs and conditions: The return Bocho Bus fare between Shin-Yamaguchi and Akiyoshido remains unconfirmed and is excluded. If choosing the Shinkansen, check access to its departure station and both the basic fare and limited express charge separately; do not apply the local-train amount above. Flights, accommodation, meals, access to the arrival station, luggage storage, additional transport and activities also cost extra.
Open Akiyoshido’s official guideRurikoji ordinary visits and walk from the prefectural officeBocho Bus information centres and officesJR journey and fare searchJR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi StationOfficial prefectural travel guide · about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to RurikojiYamaguchi City official map · station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan ParkOfficial JR adult local-train segment fares · searched 2026-10-09
Weekend market and underwater tunnel
Spend one night near Shimonoseki Station. Choose this option when your first day is a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Japanese public holiday, with market food and a strait walk on separate days.
Day 1 · Shimonoseki Station → Karato Market → station
Shimonoseki Station → Karato Market → station
- Shimonoseki Station → Karato Market
From stand 1 or 2 at Shimonoseki Station, take a National Route Line bus towards Karato (唐戸). Allow about 7 minutes on the bus and a 3-minute walk from the stop to the market.
Karato Market sushi-event scheduleCurrent National Route Line timetableSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessShimonoseki Station bus stands
- Karato Market entrance → Karato Market visit and meal
The sushi event starts at 09:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 08:00 on Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Check the event’s closing notice and individual stalls’ hours. Allow 90–120 minutes for food and a waterfront walk. The adult return bus fare is JPY 520; food costs extra.
Open Karato Market’s official guideKarato Market sushi-event scheduleSanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares
- Karato Market → Accommodation in Shimonoseki
Walk about 3 minutes back to Karato bus stop and board towards Shimonoseki Station. Check which of the officially listed stands 5 and 7 your chosen bus uses. Distinguish these from sightseeing-direction stand 6, then return to your Shimonoseki accommodation.
Current National Route Line timetableSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessKarato return bus stands
Day 2 · Shimonoseki Station → Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel return walk → station
Shimonoseki Station → Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel return walk → station
- Shimonoseki Station → Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel
From stand 1 or 2 at Shimonoseki Station, choose an ordinary National Route Line bus on routes 10–24 that stops at Mimosusogawa (御裳川). Allow about 11 minutes on the bus and a 1-minute walk to the pedestrian tunnel entrance. The adult return bus fare is JPY 600.
Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guideCurrent National Route Line timetableSanden Kotsu current National Route Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
- Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel entrance → Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel return walk
Take the lift down, walk to the Moji side and return through the same underwater passage. Pedestrians enter free, from 06:00 to 22:00. Allow 60–90 minutes for the suggested 1.56 km return tunnel walk.
Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guideCurrent National Route Line timetableSanden Kotsu current National Route Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
- Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel → Shimonoseki Station and accommodation
Take the lift up on the Shimonoseki side and walk about 1 minute to Mimosusogawa bus stop. Take a bus to Shimonoseki Station, distinguishing it from services towards Shin-Shimonoseki. On your final day, allow time to prepare for departure after reaching the station.
Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guideCurrent National Route Line timetableSanden Kotsu current National Route Line faresSanden Kotsu stops and walking access
Included: The subtotal includes JPY 520 for return Karato National Route Line buses, JPY 600 for return Mimosusogawa buses and free pedestrian tunnel access.
Extra costs and conditions: Includes ordinary National Route Line return buses for the specified Shimonoseki sightseeing journeys. Flights, accommodation, meals, airport/arrival-station access, luggage storage, unlisted transport and activities cost extra.
Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line faresOpen the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guide
Frequently asked questions
Should I visit Kintaikyo Bridge and Akiyoshido within two days and one night?
We suggest choosing one base. Kintaikyo Bridge needs a bus from eastern Iwakuni Station; Akiyoshido needs a bus from Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Shin-Yamaguchi courses give the cave and Rurikoji pagoda a day each; Shimonoseki courses give the market and tunnel a day each. To add Kintaikyo Bridge, compare courses of at least two nights starting in Iwakuni and changing accommodation to Shin-Yamaguchi.
Current Bocho Bus timetableOpen Akiyoshido’s official guideOpen Kintaikyo Bridge’s official guideOpen the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guide
Can I cross the Kanmon Tunnel and finish in Moji?
The current Shimonoseki 1-night course returns to the Shimonoseki side. Walking to Moji and back covers 1.56 km inside the tunnel; from the surface entrance, return to Mimosusogawa stop and board for Shimonoseki Station. To finish in Moji, replan collection of luggage left at your Shimonoseki accommodation and access to your next departure station.
Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guideSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessCurrent National Route Line timetable
Official sources and check dates
- Current Bocho Bus timetable ·
- Open Akiyoshido’s official guide ·
- Open Kintaikyo Bridge’s official guide ·
- Open Karato Market’s official guide ·
- Karato Market sushi-event schedule ·
- Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guide ·
- Current National Route Line timetable ·
- Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares ·
- Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access ·
- Rurikoji special interior-visit conditions ·
- JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station ·
- Rurikoji ordinary visits and walk from the prefectural office ·
- Shimonoseki Station bus stands ·
- Karato return bus stands ·
- Bocho Bus information centres and offices ·
- JR journey and fare search ·
- Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable ·
- Official prefectural travel guide · about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji ·
- Yamaguchi City official map · station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park ·
- Official JR adult local-train segment fares · searched 2026-10-09 ·