Yamaguchi attractions: cave, bridge, market and strait fees/access
Choose Akiyoshi-do to explore cave formations, or Kintaikyo in Iwakuni for a wooden bridge crossing and park walk. For sushi and strait walks, visit Karato on event days. Choose Kaikyokan for sea life or the pedestrian tunnel for an undersea walk. Rurikoji and Yuda footbath are separate visits in central Yamaguchi.
Choose attractions beyond the itineraries
Akiyoshi-do
Akiyoshi-do Cave秋芳洞
Walk the cave for limestone formations such as Hyakumai-zara and the Golden Column. Allow about 90 minutes for paid viewing with a return to the front entrance. For another exit, plan a separate return route. Choose footwear for slippery floors and stairs.
- AdmissionHigh-school age and older: standard 1,600 yen; peak 1,900 (April 27–May 7 and July 1–August 31 2026); December–February 1,350. Junior-high students standard/peak 1,300, off-peak 1,050; elementary students 850, off-peak 700.
- Hours and closuresRegular reception hours are 09:00–16:30, or 09:00–17:30 from July through September. On specified Golden Week and Obon dates, reception is open 08:30–17:30. Reception at the Kurotani and elevator entrances ends at 16:30. The cave is open year-round.
- Getting thereTake an Akiyoshi-do-bound Bocho bus from Shin-Yamaguchi north-side terminal stand 2. Walk through the shops from the stop to the front entrance. Allow about 90 minutes for a return walk through the cave, plus lunch and stop access separately. Return to Shin-Yamaguchi from the same stop. Check date-specific outward/return services, last returns and fares with the operator. This bus fare is outside course partial totals.
Official Akiyoshi-do informationBocho timetable revised October 2026Current Bocho timetable
Kintaikyo Bridge
錦帯橋
Cross the wooden arches for views of both riverbanks. The bridge has steps; rain or snow may make its surface slippery.
- AdmissionJunior-high age and older return 500 yen; elementary students 250; preschool children free. No one-way fare. Bridge/ropeway/Iwakuni Castle combined adult ticket 1,550.
- Hours and closuresThe ticket office is normally open 08:00–17:00, until 18:00 in tourist season or 19:00 in summer. Crossing is possible 24 hours; use the payment box when unstaffed. High water, heavy rain or strong winds may close the bridge.
- Getting thereFrom Iwakuni stand 1, take a Kintaikyo-bound bus, about 20 minutes, then walk about one minute from 錦帯橋 stop. Routes 11/21 via Muronoki (室の木) cost adults 300 yen one way, 600 return; check other routings separately. Buses from Shin-Iwakuni take about 15 minutes and are a different access route.
Official Kintaikyo informationIwakuni tourism transport informationIwakuni–Kintaikyo routes 11/21 faresCurrent Iwakuni bus fare lists
Karato Market
唐戸市場
For a sushi lunch, visit Karato Market on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or a Japanese public holiday for the sales event. Ordinary fish-market operation and sushi events have different days and hours.
- AdmissionMeal costs depend on your chosen shops and purchases.
- Hours and closuresThe sushi event runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. From May 15, 2026, it starts at 09:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and at 08:00 on Sundays and holidays. Shop arrangements vary; check visit-day notices for closing times and temporary schedules. No event runs Monday–Thursday unless it is a Japanese public holiday.
- Getting thereTake a Karato-bound bus from Shimonoseki to 唐戸, then walk to the market. Operator guidance: station stands 1/2, Kokudo Line ride about seven minutes, then three minutes on foot. Adults pay 260 yen one way; return from a Shimonoseki Station-bound stop.
Official Karato Market informationKarato Market sushi-event operationSanden stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kokudo faresShimonoseki Station bus stands
Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel
関門トンネル人道
Use the pedestrian tunnel to walk beneath the sea from Yamaguchi to Fukuoka. Enter through the pedestrian access, separate from the road and JR train tunnels.
- AdmissionPedestrians enter free. Bicycles/mopeds cost 20 yen; push them through.
- Hours and closuresThe tunnel is open 06:00–22:00 year-round. Check facility changes and access restrictions before visiting.
- Getting thereDescend by elevator at Shimonoseki’s pedestrian entrance and cross the 780-meter passage. Walking to the Moji side and back covers 1.56 km inside the tunnel. From Shimonoseki Station stands 1/2, take a Kokudo Line bus to Mimosusogawa (御裳川), then walk about one minute to the entrance. From Karato, use stand 6. The adult Kokudo fare is 300 yen one way. Check date-specific returns and Mimosusogawa’s station-bound boarding position before setting out.
Official Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel informationSanden stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kokudo fares
Kikko Park
吉香公園
Walk about five minutes to Kikko Park after crossing Kintaikyo. Add its paths after a bridge visit. Park entry is free; official guidance suggests about 30 minutes.
- AdmissionFree admission.
- Hours and closuresThe park is open 24 hours, with no regular closures or reservation requirement.
- Getting there and backCross Kintaikyo, then walk about five minutes toward the park. From Iwakuni Station, take the Kintaikyo bus first.
Rurikoji’s five-story pagoda
Rurikoji Temple's Five-storied Pagoda瑠璃光寺五重塔
See pagoda architecture and Kozan Park scenery. Ordinary exterior viewing is free; allow 45–60 minutes for pagoda and park. Special interior visits are separately paid programs on specified dates. Allow JR rides/waits and meals separately.
- AdmissionOrdinary exterior viewing is free. Special interior visits cost a separate 1,700 yen and are outside the basic itinerary.
- Hours and closuresDistinguish exterior viewing from tourist-information hours. The information center in front of Kozan Park is open 09:00–18:00; illumination runs sunset–22:00. Special interior visits operate on specified dates/sessions only.
- Getting there and backTake a Yamaguchi-bound local JR train from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yamaguchi Station, a reference 25 minutes in city tourism guidance. Check station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park on the official map, then walk about 25 minutes to Rurikoji. Choose a return train before setting out, allowing the walk back. After viewing, retrace the walk to Yamaguchi Station and take Shin-Yamaguchi-bound local JR. Leave time between viewing, station access and your next journey after Shin-Yamaguchi arrival. The adult local fare is 240 yen one way or 480 return, included in courses using this section. Look up date-specific departures/returns separately.
Rurikoji ordinary viewing and prefectural-office walksRurikoji special interior-visit conditionsOfficial informationJR Shin-Yamaguchi–Yamaguchi accessOfficial prefectural guide: about 25 minutes on foot Yamaguchi Station–RurikojiOfficial Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan ParkJR train and fare searchOfficial adult local-JR section fares, checked 2026-10-09
Akama Shrine
Akama-jingu Shrine赤間神宮
Pass the red Suitenmon gate to worship, then see records of the Genpei War and other exhibits in the Treasure Hall. Allow 45–60 minutes for paid viewing and entrance access, with bus waits separately.
- AdmissionTreasure Hall admission is 100 yen. Cost tables include it and return buses.
- Hours and closuresThe Treasure Hall is open 09:00–16:30 and is listed without closures. This course visits within those hours.
- Getting there and backTake a Sanden Kokudo Line service numbered 10–24 from Shimonoseki to Akama-Jingu-mae (赤間神宮前), then walk about one minute. Reference ride eight minutes; regular adult fare 270 yen one way. Return from the same-named stop toward Shimonoseki Station.
Akama Shrine tourism informationSanden stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kokudo fares
Kaikyokan Aquarium
海響館
Observe sea life and compare varieties of pufferfish. Allow two to three hours for exhibitions; for shows too, plan around the day’s schedule. Activities have event-specific application conditions separate from normal admission.
- AdmissionGeneral admission: high-school age and older 2,500 yen; elementary/junior-high students 1,200; children aged three and older 500. Special activities extra.
- Hours and closuresThe aquarium is normally open 09:30–17:30, with last admission at 17:00, year-round. Maintenance, weather or animal conditions may change operations.
- Getting there and backTake a regular Kokudo Line service numbered 10–24 from Shimonoseki to Kaikyokan-mae (海響館前), then walk about three minutes. Ride about five minutes; adults 260 yen one way. Semi-express 121/127 do not stop here; choose regular services stopping at Kaikyokan-mae. Return on a regular station-bound bus.
Current Kaikyokan feesOfficial Kaikyokan accessSanden stops and walking accessCurrent Sanden Kokudo fares
Yuda Onsen tourist-information footbath
Yuda Onsen Tourist Information Center Footbath湯田温泉観光案内所前足湯
Take a break at the free footbath in front of tourist information. Allow 45–60 minutes for footbath and nearby walks. It differs from a full-body bath; on the final day, allow time between return trains and onward departure.
- AdmissionThe footbath is free. Towels, meals, cafes and footbaths at other facilities are separate.
- Hours and closuresTourist information is open 09:00–18:00 year-round. Its outdoor free footbath is open 10:00–22:00. This course visits during the part of information-center hours when the footbath is open, 10:00–18:00.
- Getting there and backTake JR Yamaguchi Line toward Yamaguchi/Tsuwano from Shin-Yamaguchi to Yuda Onsen (湯田温泉駅), then walk about ten minutes to tourist information. Return from the same station toward Shin-Yamaguchi. The adult local fare is 240 yen one way or 480 return, included in courses using this section. Look up date-specific outward/return services separately.
Yuda footbath tourism informationYuda ryokan association footbath hoursCurrent Yuda ryokan association footbath listOfficial adult local-JR section fares, checked 2026-10-09
Frequently asked questions
Does Akiyoshi-do admission vary by date?
Individual high-school age and older admission is normally 1,600 yen, or 1,350 December–February. It costs 1,900 on April 27–May 7 and July 1–August 31 2026. Peak-hour dates and peak-price dates differ; check both for your visit.
Does the 500-yen bridge ticket cover ropeway and castle?
The 500-yen ticket is an individual bridge return for junior-high age and older. An adult bridge/ropeway/Iwakuni Castle ticket costs a separate 1,550. Basic course costs include the bridge only.
Does Karato’s sushi event run on weekdays?
It runs Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays. Exclude it Monday–Thursday unless a Japanese public holiday. From May 15, 2026, Friday/Saturday starts are 09:00, Sunday/holiday starts 08:00. Check shop arrangements and visit-day closing notices separately.
Official Karato Market informationKarato Market sushi-event operation
Is the pagoda interior free too?
Rurikoji’s ordinary exterior views are free, but October–December 2026 special interior visits are a separate 1,700-yen activity with specified dates, sessions and booking conditions. Basic courses include exteriors only.
Rurikoji special interior-visit conditionsRurikoji ordinary viewing and prefectural-office walks
When does the footbath open?
The free footbath in front of tourist information is open 10:00–22:00. Information-center hours are 09:00–18:00; this course visits 10:00–18:00. Distinguish hours/fees at other footbaths or full-body baths.
Yuda footbath tourism informationYuda ryokan association footbath hoursCurrent Yuda ryokan association footbath list
Official sources and check dates
- Current Bocho timetable ·
- Official Akiyoshi-do information ·
- Official Kintaikyo information ·
- Iwakuni tourism transport information ·
- Official Karato Market information ·
- Karato Market sushi-event operation ·
- Official Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel information ·
- Kikko Park tourism information ·
- Official information ·
- Akama Shrine tourism information ·
- Official Kaikyokan access ·
- Yuda footbath tourism information ·
- Current Kaikyokan fees ·
- Current Sanden Kokudo fares ·
- Sanden stops and walking access ·
- Rurikoji special interior-visit conditions ·
- Yuda ryokan association footbath hours ·
- JR Shin-Yamaguchi–Yamaguchi access ·
- Rurikoji ordinary viewing and prefectural-office walks ·
- Shimonoseki Station bus stands ·
- Iwakuni–Kintaikyo routes 11/21 fares ·
- Current Iwakuni bus fare lists ·
- JR train and fare search ·
- Bocho timetable revised October 2026 ·
- JR Sanyo-San’in Area Pass fares and covered trains ·
- JR-WEST All Area Pass fares and covered trains ·
- Official prefectural guide: about 25 minutes on foot Yamaguchi Station–Rurikoji ·
- Official Yamaguchi city map: station, Ichinosaka River and Kozan Park ·
- Official adult local-JR section fares, checked 2026-10-09 ·
- Current Yuda ryokan association footbath list ·