Western Honshū
About 4km inland from the Ikeda ferry terminal are Nakayama's 'thousand rice fields'. The terraces are pretty in any season, but especially picturesque…
Must-see attractions in Western Honshū
Miyajima
On one side of Itsukushima-jinja is a floating nō stage, built by local lord Asano Tsunanaga in 1680 and still used for nō (stylised dance-drama)…
Western Honshū
The lovingly restored Kumagai Residence was rebuilt in 1801 after an earthquake destroyed most of the town the previous year. The house belonged to a…
Western Honshū
The old residence of Mori Ōgai (1862–1922), a highly regarded novelist who served as a physician in the Imperial Japanese Army.
Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum
Western Honshū
This interesting gallery focuses on the art of the region, with three rooms showing work from its varied permanent collection; leafy grounds featuring…
Western Honshū
This 153m tower looks like a midget skyscraper topped by a futuristic billiard ball. Head to the observatory for 360-degree views across Shimonoseki and…
Western Honshū
The church here is a reminder of the town's Christian history. 'Hidden Christians' from Nagasaki were exiled here in the early Meiji period. It's…
Western Honshū
This appealingly weathered wooden shrine is the oldest building in western Tottori Prefecture. It is up a stone path from Daisen-ji, one of many forest…
Western Honshū
In this appealing modern building you'll find a superb collection of ceramics and woodblock prints, with fine works by Katsushika Hokusai and Utamaro…
Western Honshū
It's a pleasant walk down the river from Tsuwano town centre to see the peaked-roof former residence of Nishi Amane (1829–97), a philosopher and political…
Western Honshū
About 22km east of Hagi, this unique temple is dedicated to the humble moggy and features cats, cats, everywhere! Well, carved ones, anyway. Serious cat…
Naoshima
The shack-like Haisha by Shinro Ohtake is a highlight of the Art House Project collection of sites, notable for its Statue of Liberty sculpture, which…
Hiroshima Region
Up a steep hill on the western side of Tomo-no-ura, Iō-ji was reputedly founded by Kōbō Daishi in the 900s. A path leads from the temple to the top of a…
Naoshima
You can actually walk inside this larger sculpture, a sibling to Naoshima's iconic Yellow Pumpkin by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The red artwork is…
Western Honshū
The ground-floor Christian museum in the St Francis Xavier Memorial Church covers the life of the namesake Jesuit missionary and the early history of…
Western Honshū
Along the Daisen Parkway (the 35km scenic road crossing the Daisen area) is the Masumizu Plateau, where a gondola lift takes you up to an observation…
Western Honshū
Tempogama is a large kiln ruin (c 1832), a short walk up a lane leading off Imbe's main street of shops and galleries. The kiln is fenced off for…
Shōji Ueda Museum of Photography
Western Honshū
Showcases the works of prominent Tottori Prefecture photographer Shōji Ueda (1913–2000), in a large minimalist concrete building with fabulous views…
Buke Yashiki Samurai Residence
Western Honshū
You'll take lots of pictures as you stroll around this immaculately preserved house and garden, built for a middle-ranking samurai family during the early…
Hiroshima
The Flame of Peace, a feature of the pond in Peace Memorial Park, will be extinguished only once every nuclear weapon on earth has been destroyed.
Western Honshū
Opened in 1912, this museum's impressive permanent collection includes science and technology, astronomy, natural science and humanities sections.
Hiroshima Region
One of Saijō's oldest sake breweries, Hakubotan has a lovely broad-beamed display and tasting room with Munakata woodblock prints on the wall.
Western Honshū
This well-preserved 1903 home and garden is the perfect setting in which to enjoy some matcha (powdered green tea; ¥400).
Western Honshū
Hagi's impressive city museum features permanent displays on astrology, biology and local crafts, and hosts visiting exhibitions.
Western Honshū
A small museum that documents Meiji Restoration leader Yoshida Shōin's life and teachings with samples of his letters.
Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Centre
Western Honshū
This centre has exhibits with explanations in English on the history of the mines and the surrounding area.
Western Honshū
This understated, pretty wooden shrine sits among the trees and bamboo groves of the hills behind Imbe.
Daisen Museum of Nature and History
Western Honshū
This friendly museum has two floors and offers naturalists or the curious a peek at flora, fauna and geology they might not see otherwise. The bird…
Hiroshima
Exploring a garbage-processing plant might not sound appealing, but if you're an architecture fan this building is worth a visit. The waterfront building…
Western Honshū
The original Iwakuni-jō was built by Hiroie, the first of the Kikkawa lords, between 1603 and 1608. Just seven years later, the Tokugawa shogunate passed…
Momotarō Karakuri Hakubutsukan
Western Honshū
Part gallery and part fun-house, this small museum is devoted to local legend Momotarō, with memorabilia, toys and depictions of the 'peach boy' from over…
Western Honshū
This memorial marks the spot where the decisive clash between the Minamoto and Taira clans took place in 1185. Here, Taira no Tokiko plunged into the sea…
Western Honshū
Present-day Ivy Square was once the site of Ōhara's Kurabō textile factories. The company moved into more modern premises a long time ago, and the ivy…
Hiroshima Region
This museum features displays on the lives and works of Hayashi Fumiko and other writers connected with Onomichi. It's interesting for fans of Japanese…
Western Honshū
This tunnel into the silver mine has been widened substantially from its original size, and a guide helps bring it to life. One glance at the old tunnel,…
Hiroshima
This hilly, tree-filled park just outside Hiroshima city centre is noted for its cherry blossoms in spring, and autumn foliage. A top spot for a stroll,…
Hiroshima
Most people visit this souvenir-filled tower for 'Hiroshima Hills', its windy, open-terrace viewing platform with one-of-a-kind vistas across the adjacent…
Western Honshū
This is the thatched early home of a four-term prime minister, who was a follower of Meiji Restoration leader Yoshida Shōin, and who later drafted the…
Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village
Western Honshū
Just north of Sakate is the turn-off to the picturesque fishing village of Tanoura (田ノ浦), site of the village school that featured in the film Twenty-Four…
Western Honshū
This park celebrates the island's olive-growing activities with several whitewashed buildings, some fake Grecian ruins, a museum, and opportunities to buy…
