Yamaguchi in 4 days and 3 nights: explore the east/centre or stay in the west?

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

Open Kintaikyo Bridge’s official guide2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism transport guide2026-10-08Iwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11/21 fare table2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus current fare-table list2026-10-08

Cross the bridge with the JPY 500 adult return ticket, then walk about 5 minutes to Kikko Park. The official suggested park visit is about 30 minutes. Allow 90–120 minutes for the bridge, park and lunch. The ropeway and castle admission cost extra.

Open Kintaikyo Bridge’s official guide2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism transport guide2026-10-08Tourism guide to Kikko Park2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus October changes2026-10-08

Walk about 5 minutes from Kikko Park back to the bridge and cross using your return ticket. Walk another minute to the bus stop and board for Iwakuni Station, distinguishing it from buses to Shin-Iwakuni Station. Stay in Iwakuni tonight.

Open Kintaikyo Bridge’s official guide2026-10-08Iwakuni tourism transport guide2026-10-08Tourism guide to Kikko Park2026-10-08Iwakuni Bus October changes2026-10-08

Travel by JR from Iwakuni to Shin-Yamaguchi. Sanyo Main Line local trains and Shinkansen services departing Shin-Iwakuni use different departure stations and fares; choose your route in the official search below. 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 Station2026-10-08Official prefectural travel guide · about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji2026-10-09Yamaguchi City official map · station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park2026-10-09JR journey and fare search2026-10-08

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 Station2026-10-08Rurikoji ordinary visits and walk from the prefectural office2026-10-08Rurikoji special interior-visit conditions2026-10-08

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 Station2026-10-08Official prefectural travel guide · about 25 minutes on foot from Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji2026-10-09Yamaguchi City official map · station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park2026-10-09JR journey and fare search2026-10-08

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 timetable2026-10-08Open Akiyoshido’s official guide2026-10-08Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable2026-10-08

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 timetable2026-10-08Open Akiyoshido’s official guide2026-10-08Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable2026-10-08

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 timetable2026-10-08Open Akiyoshido’s official guide2026-10-08Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable2026-10-08

Take a JR Yamaguchi Line train towards Yamaguchi/Tsuwano from Shin-Yamaguchi Station and alight at Yuda Onsen Station. Check the return train to Shin-Yamaguchi and its fare too.

Tourism guide to Yuda Onsen footbaths2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association current footbath list2026-10-09

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

Tourism guide to Yuda Onsen footbaths2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association current footbath list2026-10-09

After the footbath, walk about 10 minutes back to Yuda Onsen Station and board for Shin-Yamaguchi. On this final day, choose a return train that gives you time to prepare for departure after reaching Shin-Yamaguchi Station.

Tourism guide to Yuda Onsen footbaths2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours2026-10-08Yuda Onsen ryokan association current footbath list2026-10-09

From stand 1 or 2 at Shimonoseki Station, take an ordinary National Route Line bus on routes 10–24 that stops at Kaikyokan-mae (海響館前). Allow about 5 minutes on the bus and a 3-minute walk to the entrance. Semi-express routes 121 and 127 do not stop here.

Kaikyokan official access guide2026-10-08Current National Route Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Shimonoseki Station bus stands2026-10-08

Visit Kaikyokan from 09:30; last admission is 17:00. Allow 2–3 hours and choose shows from the day’s programme. The subtotal includes JPY 2,500 adult admission and JPY 520 return bus fare, excluding meals and additional activities.

Kaikyokan official access guide2026-10-08Kaikyokan current admission fees2026-10-08Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09

After visiting, walk about 3 minutes back to Kaikyokan-mae and take an ordinary bus to Shimonoseki Station. If staying to the end of a show, plan its timing alongside your return service. Stay in Shimonoseki tonight.

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

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 schedule2026-10-08Current National Route 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 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. Swap the aquarium or tunnel visit with this day if the event schedule fits another date.

Open Karato Market’s official guide2026-10-08Karato Market sushi-event schedule2026-10-08

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 timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08Karato return bus stands2026-10-08Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09

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 guide2026-10-08Current National Route Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

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 guide2026-10-08Current National Route Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

Take the lift up on the Shimonoseki side and walk about 1 minute to Mimosusogawa bus stop. Return by bus to Shimonoseki Station, distinguishing it from services towards Shin-Shimonoseki. Spend your third night in Shimonoseki.

Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guide2026-10-08Current National Route Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

From stand 1 or 2 at Shimonoseki Station, choose an ordinary National Route Line bus on routes 10–24 that stops at Akama Jingu-mae (赤間神宮前). The operator gives a journey time of about 8 minutes, followed by a 1-minute walk to the shrine.

Tourism guide to Akama Shrine2026-10-08Current National Route Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

Akama Shrine’s Treasure Hall opens 09:00–16:30 and costs JPY 100. Allow 45–60 minutes and visit within the hall’s opening hours.

Tourism guide to Akama Shrine2026-10-08Current National Route Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08

After visiting the hall, walk about 1 minute back to the stop in front of the shrine and take a bus to Shimonoseki Station. The adult return bus fare is JPY 540. Search for station-bound services from this stop. This course ends at Shimonoseki Station; add a separate JR journey and fare if departing from Shin-Shimonoseki.

Tourism guide to Akama Shrine2026-10-08Current National Route Line timetable2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares2026-10-09Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access2026-10-08