Yamaguchi attractions: cave, bridge, market and strait costs and access
Choose Akiyoshido to walk past cave formations, or Iwakuni’s Kintaikyo Bridge to cross a wooden bridge and continue to the park. For sushi and a strait walk, visit Karato Market on an event day. Choose Kaikyokan in Shimonoseki for marine life 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 attractions independently of a course
Akiyoshido
Akiyoshi-do Cave秋芳洞
Walk past limestone formations such as Hyakumai-zara and the Golden Pillar. Allow about 90 minutes for the paid visit returning to the front entrance. If leaving through another exit, plan your return route separately. Wear suitable shoes for slippery surfaces and steps.
- AdmissionAdmission for high school pupils and older normally costs JPY 1,600, or JPY 1,900 in the peak periods of 27 April–7 May and 1 July–31 August 2026, and JPY 1,350 in December–February. Junior high pupils pay JPY 1,300 in regular and peak seasons or JPY 1,050 off-season. Primary school pupils pay JPY 850 or JPY 700 off-season.
- Opening hours and closuresAdmission is normally available from 09:00 to 16:30, or from 09:00 to 17:30 in July–September. On selected Golden Week and Obon dates, admission is available from 08:30 to 17:30. Admission at the Kurotani and lift entrances ends at 16:30. The cave opens year-round.
- Getting thereTake a Bocho Bus to Akiyoshido from Shin-Yamaguchi Station’s north-terminal stand 2. Walk through the shopping street from the stop to the front entrance. The cave visit returning to that entrance takes about 90 minutes; add lunch and the walk to the stop. Return from the same stop on a bus to Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Check the operator’s outbound/return services, last return bus and fare for your date. This bus fare is excluded from course subtotals.
Open Akiyoshido’s official guideBocho Bus October 2026 revised timetableCurrent Bocho Bus timetable
Kintaikyo Bridge
錦帯橋
Cross the wooden arches for views on both sides of the river. The bridge has steps, and its surface may be slippery in rain or snow.
- AdmissionA return ticket costs JPY 500 for junior high pupils and older or JPY 250 for primary school pupils. Preschool children enter free. There is no one-way fare. The adult combined ticket for the bridge, ropeway and Iwakuni Castle costs JPY 1,550.
- Opening hours and closuresTicket office normally 08:00–17:00, extending to 18:00 in the tourist season and 19:00 in summer. Crossing is possible around the clock; use the payment box when the office is unstaffed. High river levels, heavy rain or strong winds may prevent crossing.
- Getting thereTake a Kintaikyo-bound bus from Iwakuni Station stand 1; the ride takes about 20 minutes. Walk about 1 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 other routes’ fares separately. Buses from Shin-Iwakuni Station offer a different approach taking about 15 minutes.
Open Kintaikyo Bridge’s official guideIwakuni tourism transport guideIwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11/21 fare tableIwakuni Bus current fare-table list
Karato Market
唐戸市場
Visit Karato Market’s sales event on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or Japanese public holidays if you want to choose sushi for lunch. The ordinary fish market and sushi event have different days and hours.
- AdmissionFood costs depend on the stall and quantity you choose.
- Opening hours and closuresThe sushi event runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Since 15 May 2026, it starts at 09:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and at 08:00 on Sundays and holidays. Stalls vary; check your date’s notice for closing times and temporary schedules. There is no event Monday–Thursday unless it is a Japanese public holiday.
- Getting thereFrom Shimonoseki Station, take a bus towards Karato, alight at 唐戸 and walk to the market. The operator gives about 7 minutes from station stands 1/2, then about 3 minutes on foot. The adult National Route Line fare is JPY 260 one way. Return from the stop towards Shimonoseki Station.
Open Karato Market’s official guideKarato Market sushi-event scheduleSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessSanden Kotsu current National Route 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 into Fukuoka Prefecture. Enter through the pedestrian entrance, separate from the road and JR rail tunnels.
- AdmissionPedestrians enter free. Bicycles and mopeds cost JPY 20 and must be pushed through.
- Opening hours and closuresThe tunnel opens from 06:00 to 22:00 year-round. Check for facility changes or access restrictions before visiting.
- Getting thereTake the lift down at the Shimonoseki pedestrian entrance and cross the 780 m passage. Going to Moji and back covers 1.56 km inside the tunnel. From Shimonoseki Station, take a National Route Line bus to Mimosusogawa (御裳川), then walk about 1 minute to the entrance. From Karato, use stand 6. The adult National Route Line fare is JPY 300 one way; buses leave Shimonoseki Station stands 1/2. Check both services and the return boarding position at Mimosusogawa before leaving.
Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guideSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessSanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares
Kikko Park
吉香公園
After crossing Kintaikyo Bridge, walk about 5 minutes to Kikko Park. Add a stroll here after the bridge if you want to explore the park paths. Entry is free and the official suggested visit takes about 30 minutes.
- AdmissionFree admission.
- Hours and closuresThe park opens 24 hours a day, has no regular closing days and requires no reservation.
- Getting there and backCross Kintaikyo Bridge and walk about 5 minutes towards the park. From Iwakuni Station, first take a bus to Kintaikyo Bridge.
Rurikoji Five-Storey Pagoda
Rurikoji Temple's Five-storied Pagoda瑠璃光寺五重塔
See the pagoda’s architecture alongside Kozan Park’s scenery. Ordinary exterior viewing is free; allow 45–60 minutes for the pagoda and park. Special interior visits are separate paid programmes on specified dates. Allow extra time for JR travel, waiting and meals.
- AdmissionOrdinary exterior viewing is free. A special interior visit costs an additional JPY 1,700 and is excluded from the default itinerary.
- Hours and closuresDistinguish exterior viewing from information-centre hours. The tourist information centre in front of Kozan Park opens 09:00–18:00; illumination runs from sunset to 22:00. Special interior visits operate only on specified dates and sessions.
- Getting there and backFrom 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. After visiting, retrace your walking route and take a local train to Shin-Yamaguchi. Choose a train you can catch after the visit and walk, allowing time for your next journey. Adult local-train fare: JPY 240 one way or JPY 480 return, included in subtotals for courses using this segment. Check travel-day departures separately.
Rurikoji ordinary visits and walk from the prefectural officeRurikoji special interior-visit conditionsOpen official guideJR 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 searchOfficial JR adult local-train segment fares · searched 2026-10-09
Akama Shrine
Akama-jingu Shrine赤間神宮
Pass through the red Suitenmon gate to visit the shrine, and see material on the Genpei War in its Treasure Hall. Allow 45–60 minutes for the paid hall visit and entrance access, plus separate time for bus waits.
- AdmissionTreasure Hall admission is JPY 100. The cost table includes the hall and return buses.
- Hours and closuresThe Treasure Hall is listed as open 09:00–16:30 with no closing days. This course visits during those hours.
- Getting there and backFrom Shimonoseki Station, take a Sanden Kotsu National Route Line bus on routes 10–24 to Akama Jingu-mae (赤間神宮前), then walk about 1 minute. The operator gives about 8 minutes on the bus; the ordinary adult fare is JPY 270 one way. Return from the same-named stop towards Shimonoseki Station.
Tourism guide to Akama ShrineSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessSanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares
Kaikyokan Aquarium
海響館
Observe marine life and compare several kinds of pufferfish. Allow 2–3 hours for the exhibits. If you want to see shows, choose your visit time around the day’s programme. Activity programmes have their own application conditions separate from general admission.
- AdmissionGeneral admission costs JPY 2,500 for high school pupils and older, JPY 1,200 for primary and junior high pupils or JPY 500 for preschool children aged 3 and older. Special activities cost extra.
- Hours and closuresThe aquarium normally opens from 09:30 to 17:30 year-round, with last admission at 17:00. Maintenance, weather or animal conditions may alter operations.
- Getting there and backTake an ordinary National Route Line bus on routes 10–24 from Shimonoseki Station to Kaikyokan-mae (海響館前), then walk about 3 minutes. The ride takes about 5 minutes; the adult fare is JPY 260 one way. Semi-express routes 121/127 skip this stop, so choose an ordinary service that stops here. Return by an ordinary station-bound bus.
Kaikyokan current admission feesKaikyokan official access guideSanden Kotsu stops and walking accessSanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares
Footbath outside Yuda Onsen Tourist Information Centre
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 a footbath and nearby walk. This is separate from a bathhouse offering full-body bathing. On the final day, leave time between your return train and onward departure.
- AdmissionThe footbath is free. Towels, meals, cafés and footbaths at other facilities cost extra.
- Hours and closuresThe information centre opens 09:00–18:00, year-round. Its outdoor free footbath opens 10:00–22:00. This course visits between 10:00 and 18:00, while the centre is open.
- Getting there and backTake the JR Yamaguchi Line towards Yamaguchi/Tsuwano from Shin-Yamaguchi and alight at Yuda Onsen Station (湯田温泉駅). Walk about 10 minutes to the information centre. Return from the same station towards Shin-Yamaguchi. Adult local-train fare: JPY 240 one way or JPY 480 return, included in subtotals for courses using this segment. Check departures for your travel date separately.
Tourism guide to Yuda Onsen footbathsYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursYuda Onsen ryokan association current footbath listOfficial JR adult local-train segment fares · searched 2026-10-09
Frequently asked questions
Does Akiyoshido admission change by date?
Individual admission for high-school pupils and older is normally JPY 1,600, or JPY 1,350 in December–February. It costs JPY 1,900 on 27 April–7 May and 1 July–31 August 2026. Peak periods for opening hours and prices differ; check both notices for your date.
Does the JPY 500 Kintaikyo ticket include the ropeway and castle?
JPY 500 buys an individual bridge return ticket for junior-high pupils and older. The adult combined ticket including the ropeway and Iwakuni Castle costs JPY 1,550 separately. Default course costs include only the bridge.
Does Karato Market’s sushi event run on weekdays?
It runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Exclude it Monday–Thursday unless it is a Japanese public holiday. Since 15 May 2026, it starts at 09:00 on Fridays/Saturdays and 08:00 on Sundays/holidays. Check individual stalls and the visiting day’s closing notice separately.
Open Karato Market’s official guideKarato Market sushi-event schedule
Can I also visit inside the pagoda free?
Ordinary exterior viewing at Rurikoji is free. Special interior visits in October–December 2026 cost JPY 1,700 separately and have specified dates, sessions and booking conditions. Default courses include only the exterior.
Rurikoji special interior-visit conditionsRurikoji ordinary visits 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 opens 09:00–18:00; this course visits between 10:00 and 18:00. Other footbaths and ordinary bathhouses have separate hours and fees.
Tourism guide to Yuda Onsen footbathsYuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hoursYuda Onsen ryokan association current footbath list
Official sources and check dates
- Current Bocho Bus timetable ·
- Open Akiyoshido’s official guide ·
- Open Kintaikyo Bridge’s official guide ·
- Iwakuni tourism transport guide ·
- Open Karato Market’s official guide ·
- Karato Market sushi-event schedule ·
- Open the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel’s official guide ·
- Tourism guide to Kikko Park ·
- Open official guide ·
- Tourism guide to Akama Shrine ·
- Kaikyokan official access guide ·
- Tourism guide to Yuda Onsen footbaths ·
- Kaikyokan current admission fees ·
- Sanden Kotsu current National Route Line fares ·
- Sanden Kotsu stops and walking access ·
- Rurikoji special interior-visit conditions ·
- Yuda Onsen ryokan association footbath hours ·
- JR access from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station ·
- Rurikoji ordinary visits and walk from the prefectural office ·
- Shimonoseki Station bus stands ·
- Iwakuni Station–Kintaikyo routes 11/21 fare table ·
- Iwakuni Bus current fare-table list ·
- JR journey and fare search ·
- Bocho Bus October 2026 revised timetable ·
- JR Sanyo-San’in Pass prices and eligible trains ·
- JR West All Area Pass prices and eligible trains ·
- 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 ·
- Yuda Onsen ryokan association current footbath list ·