中国地方旅行攻略：广岛及周边精华
Region Guides 8 min read

中国地方旅行攻略：广岛及周边精华

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Overview of the Chugoku Region

Chugoku occupies the western tip of Honshu, Japan's main island, stretching from the Seto Inland Sea coast (San'yo) to the rugged Sea of Japan coast (San'in). The region includes five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Shimane, and Tottori. Most tourists visit Hiroshima and Miyajima, but Chugoku rewards exploration — from Okayama's gardens and castles to Tottori's surreal sand dunes. The San'yo Shinkansen connects major southern cities, while the San'in coast remains blissfully off the tourist trail.

Tip: The JR San'yo-San'in Area Pass (¥23,000/7 days) covers all Chugoku trains including shinkansen — essential for a regional circuit.

Hiroshima & Miyajima

Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-looking city despite its devastating history. The Peace Memorial Park (free) and Museum (¥200) are deeply moving — allow 2-3 hours. The A-Bomb Dome stands preserved as it was after the blast. But Hiroshima is more than history: try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (layered with noodles, ¥800-1,200) on Okonomimura building's 4 floors of stalls. Miyajima is a 60-minute ferry ride away (free with JR Pass) — the floating torii gate, Itsukushima Shrine, and Mt Misen make it one of Japan's top sights.

Tip: Stay one night on Miyajima island — after day-trippers leave by 4pm, you'll have the shrine and torii to yourself at sunset and dawn.

Okayama & Kurashiki

Okayama is home to Korakuen Garden (¥410), one of Japan's three great gardens — vast lawns, streams, plum groves, and a striking contrast with nearby Okayama Castle (¥400, combo ticket ¥640). Just 15 minutes by train, Kurashiki is a beautifully preserved canal town. White-walled warehouses line the willow-draped Bikan Historical Quarter, now housing museums, cafes, and galleries. The Ohara Museum of Art (¥2,000) has an outstanding Western art collection including El Greco and Monet. Kurashiki's evening illumination of the canal is romantic and uncrowded.

Tip: Kurashiki is best visited in the late afternoon — tour buses leave by 4pm, and the evening canal illumination (dusk to 9pm) is gorgeous without crowds.

Tottori & Shimane

The Tottori Sand Dunes (free) stretch 16km along the coast — Japan's largest, reaching 50m high. Activities include camel rides (¥1,500), sandboarding (¥2,000), and paragliding (¥8,000). The adjacent Sand Museum (¥800) displays incredible sand sculptures. Further west, Shimane Prefecture holds Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's most sacred and ancient shrines (free) — believed to be where all 8 million Shinto gods gather in October. The Adachi Museum of Art (¥2,300) has been voted Japan's best garden for 20 consecutive years — its landscape paintings framed by windows are breathtaking.

Tip: Visit Izumo in October (Kamiarizuki — 'month with gods') when special rituals welcome the arriving deities. The rest of Japan calls it Kannazuki ('month without gods').

Getting Around Chugoku

The San'yo Shinkansen connects Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi quickly (Okayama to Hiroshima: 40 min, ¥5,500). The San'in coast is served by limited express trains along the scenic JR San'in Line — slow but beautiful (Tottori to Izumo: 3 hours). Renting a car opens up rural Shimane and Tottori dramatically. Yamaguchi city has a lovely five-story pagoda (Rurikoji) and was the capital of the powerful Mori clan. Iwami Ginzan (Shimane) is a UNESCO silver mine with atmospheric tunnels and a preserved Edo mining town — 2 hours from Hiroshima by car.

Tip: The JR Super Oki limited express along the San'in coast passes stunning cliffs, fishing villages, and empty beaches — sit on the sea side (left heading west) for the best views.

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