Chugoku

Region

Chugoku is the western tail of Honshu - home to Hiroshima and the floating torii of Miyajima, the gardens of Okamaya, the ancient shrine of Izumo and the sand dunes of Tottori.

Chugoku Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)Oki IslandsIwami Ginzan Silver MineHiroshima CastleŌkunoshimaHiroshima Peace Memorial MuseumChildren's Peace MonumentKōrakuenLake ShinjiMount DaisenAssumption of Mary Cathedral, HiroshimaAntai-ji TempleMount MisenOhara Museum of ArtAkiyoshidai Quasi-National ParkChūgoku MountainsDōgojimaGanryū-jimaMount OsorakanManabeshimaNishinoshima (Shimane)ChiburijimaDaikon IslandHashira IslandInu JimaNakanoshima (Shimane)Shiraishi IslandSuō ŌshimaAkiyoshidaiKambanotaki waterfallsHiroshimaItsukushimaIwakuniOkayamaKurashikiOnomichiIzumo TaishaMatsueTottoriShimonosekiYamaguchiFukuyama, HiroshimaKure, HiroshimaYonagoIzumo, ShimaneHatsukaichiUbe, YamaguchiHōfuTsuyamaTokuyama, YamaguchiMiyajima, Hiroshima
In this guide

Chugoku essentials

Country: Japan
Driest months: Nov-Jan
Pay in: Yen (¥)
Emergency: 110

Where to Go in Chugoku

City Hiroshima HiroshimaRebuilt city of the Peace Memorial City Yamaguchi YamaguchiCity in Japan known for its historical sites City Kure, Hiroshima Kure, HiroshimaCity in Japan, known for its naval history Island Itsukushima ItsukushimaIsland shrine with iconic floating torii gate Island Oki Islands Oki IslandsRemote Japanese island group with volcanic landscapes Island Ōkunoshima ŌkunoshimaSmall Japanese island famed for wild rabbits History Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)Ruined dome preserved as atomic bombing memorial History Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Iwami Ginzan Silver MineHistoric silver mine complex with preserved mining town History Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal MiningRepresentative Meiji-era industrial sites in shipbuilding and mining Nature Kōrakuen KōrakuenHistoric Japanese strolling garden in Okayama Nature Lake Shinji Lake ShinjiBrackish lake near Matsue, famous for sunsets Nature Mount Daisen Mount DaisenSacred Tottori mountain popular for hiking and temples
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Regions & Cities

Chugoku at a Glance

Local Time
11:49 AM
GMT+9
Population
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Chugoku is western Honshu, split between the sunny Seto Inland Sea coast and the wilder Sea of Japan side.

Why go / don’t miss: the Peace Memorial of Hiroshima, the floating torii of Miyajima, the great garden of Korakuen in Okayama, the ancient Izumo grand shrine, and the vast Tottori sand dunes.

Areas: Hiroshima and Miyajima in the southwest; Okayama in the southeast (gateway to Shikoku); and Matsue/Izumo/Tottori on the northern coast.

Getting around: the Sanyo Shinkansen runs along the south coast (Okayama, Hiroshima); the north coast is slower, by local train or car.

When to go: spring and autumn are best; Miyajima is lovely year-round.

Where to stay: Hiroshima as the main base, with a night near Miyajima.

Dining: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, oysters from Miyajima, and Izumo soba.

Local tips: pair Hiroshima + Miyajima (easy) and add the quieter San’in coast if you have time.

The great ‘floating’ torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima appears to rise from the sea at high tide and has stood in some form for over 1,400 years.

Best Things to Do in Chugoku