You've got a question?
You can send me a message with this form
yamaguchi Prefecture
2-Day Itinerary:
Iwakuni & Yamaguchi
Samurai History, Kintai Bridge & Cultural Sites
Many travelers don’t realize it, but Yamaguchi Prefecture is one of the easiest places to reach in Western Japan. Whether you’re coming from Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, or Fukuoka, the region is fully connected by Shinkansen and two convenient airports, making Iwakuni and Yamaguchi ideal destinations even for first-time visitors to Japan.
The two main gateways, Shin-Iwakuni Station and Shin-Yamaguchi Station, sit along the JR Sanyo Shinkansen line. From here, you can reach iconic spots like Kintai Bridge, Iwakuni Castle, Rurikoji Pagoda, and Yamaguchi City’s historic temples with simple local bus or taxi connections. Flights from Haneda Airport also arrive daily, offering direct access to Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport and Yamaguchi Ube Airport.
If you’re planning your first trip to the area and wondering how to get around, this guide breaks it all down clearly. With travel times, airport information, rail passes, and easy route suggestions, so you can travel confidently, even if you’ve never visited Yamaguchi before.
- How to Get to Iwakuni & Yamaguchi (Access Guide)
- Day 1 – Iwakuni Travel Guide: Samurai History & Kintai Bridge
- Iwakuni Through a Human Lens. The Early Life of Uno Chiyo
- Kintai Bridge – Edo-era Craftsmanship still alive
- Ropeway to Iwakuni Castle – Best View of Kintai Bridge
- Kashiwabara Museum – A Glimpse Into Samurai Life in Iwakuni
- Day 2 – Yamaguchi City Travel Guide: Temples, Food & Spiritual Culture
- Rurikoji Pagoda – A Muromachi-Era Landmark in Yamaguchi
- Toshunji Temple – Traces of Mori Motonari
- Where to Eat in Yamaguchi – Kawara Soba at Choshuen Restaurant
- Kyogen Experience at Noda Shrine
- Noda Shrine Noh Theater — Japan’s Living Cultural Heritage
- Final Thoughts
How to Get to Iwakuni & Yamaguchi
Getting to Yamaguchi is easier than most travelers expect. Shin-Iwakuni and Shin-Yamaguchi Stations are directly connected by Shinkansen to Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. When I looked at the timetable, I couldn’t believe Hiroshima was only 15 minutes away!
- Shinkansen travel times
Route
Duration
Tokyo → Shin-Iwakuni
~4 hours
Osaka → Shin-Iwakuni
~3 hours
Hiroshima → Shin-Iwakuni
~15 minutes
Shin-Iwakuni → Shin-Yamaguchi
~30 minutes
Hakata (Fukuoka) → Shin-Yamaguchi
Covered by JR Hiroshima–Yamaguchi Area Pass
- By PlaneYou can also reach the region by air. There are two airports: Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, located just 10 minutes from Kintai Bridge, and Yamaguchi Ube Airport, which connects to Shin-Yamaguchi Station by airport bus in about 30 minutes. Direct flights from Tokyo (Haneda) operate daily via ANA and JAL, making it a fast option if you’re short on time.
- Useful Links for Planning
DAY 1
Iwakuni Travel Guide: Samurai History & Kintai Bridge
Iwakuni Through a Human Lens. The Early Life of Uno Chiyo
Most people begin their Iwakuni itinerary with the famous Kintai Bridge. I decided to start with a person. Our first stop is the childhood house of Uno Chiyo (1897−1996), one of Japan’s most distinctive modern female writers.
She didn’t just write about life, she lived it boldly.
Married three times, unafraid of controversy, and known for designing her own kimono line, she challenged the social norms of her time.
The rooms in her house are simple and full of light. It feels less like a museum and more like a house where someone still might be writing in the next room.
Kintai Bridge – Edo-era Craftsmanship still alive
A short stroll from Uno Chiyo’s house brings us to the Kintai Bridge. Built in 1673 by the Kikkawa Hiroyoshi, it stretches elegantly across the Nishiki River with five wooden arches. It is counted among Japan’s three most famous bridges, along with Meganebashi in Nagasaki and Nihonbashi in Tokyo
Unlike most bridges, it was constructed using Edo-period carpentry techniques together with metal nails and straps. For centuries, its wooden arches have been periodically rebuilt by skilled craftsmen, preserving this traditional technique.
We were fortunate to meet Mr. Okikawa — one of the carpenters who took part in the Heisei reconstruction of Kintai Bridge between 2001 and 2004. During that project, the arches were rebuilt using techniques that have been passed down since the original Edo-period construction, and at the time he was the youngest craftsman on the team.
Through his company, Architecture Studio Okikawa, he continues to maintain temples, shrines and Edo-style wooden techniques. Speaking with him, we understood how much skill and dedication it takes to protect this living piece of history.
What stood out during our conversation was how precision and endurance define this work. A single beam can take weeks to fit. Weather, humidity, and the weight of the wood all have to be felt, not just measured. As he said:
"You cannot learn this from diagrams. You need to listen to the wood."
Kintai is beautiful in every season. In spring, the cherry blossoms frame the arches. In autumn, red maple leaves reflect in the river.
To see the bridge differently, the best way is a boat tour on the Nishiki River. From the water, the arches feel more monumental and the craft becomes more visible. The river moves slowly, and the view changes with every meter — sometimes the bridge looks like a painting, sometimes like an engineering puzzle.
The tour usually includes a seasonal bento with grilled ayu (sweetfish) lunch, that tastes even better as you look at Kintai Bridge from the water.
Ropeway to Iwakuni Castle – Best View of Kintai Bridge
After visiting the bridge, it is worth taking the ropeway to Iwakuni Castle. As the gondola rises, the town unfolds beneath in a mosaic of rivers, bridges and rooftops. From above, the Kintai Bridge looks both delicate and commanding and the Nishiki River curves like a silver ribbon.
Seeing the town from above helps understand why this location mattered to the samurai. Iwakuni Castle, with its hilltop position, gives clear sightlines over rivers, roads, and approaches to the town. A natural advantage in defense and governance.
Kashiwabara Museum — A Glimpse Into Samurai Life in Iwakuni
Another interesting stop next by the ropeway station is the Kashiwabara Museum. This is a private collection carefully gathered over decades by the Kashiwabara family.
The collection spans real swords and armor, calligraphy tools, tea utensils, and personal belongings of samurai families. The items, some worn, some torn, reflect eras of war and peace and the hands that once used them.
What stood out is that samurai were not only warriors. They trained their mind as carefully as their body, studying literature, philosophy, tea ceremony and ethics. As you walk through the museum, you can feel the discipline and values that shaped their lives.
DAY 2
Yamaguchi City Travel Guide: Temples, Food & Spiritual Culture
Yamaguchi City is often called "the Kyoto of the West" and is one of the most underrated places to visit in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Rurikoji Pagoda — A Muromachi-Era Landmark in Yamaguchi
Our morning began at Rurikuji Pagoda, quietly located in Kozan Park, a place that locals take genuine pride in. In front of the pagoda, a pond glimmers with koi fish, with sunlight rippling across the surface and along the walking path.
The pagoda dates back to 1442, built by the Ouchi family during the Muromachi period. It is one of the few remaining pagodas from this era and is now designated as a National Treasure of Japan.
If you join a special guided tour, you can see the shinbashira — the central pillar of the pagoda — which is usually kept behind closed doors. This wooden core is the key to the pagoda’s strength. During earthquakes, it doesn’t resist movement but moves with it, allowing the structure to sway instead of break.
This flexibility is why pagodas have survived centuries of earthquakes.
Toshunji Temple – Traces of Mori Motonari
Just a short walk away is Toshunji Temple, a place that offers a gentle contrast to the commanding presence of the Rurikoji Pagoda. You find details — a weathered wooden gate from the Muromachi period (Important Cultural Property), stone paths worn down by centuries of footsteps, and sunlight filtering through the trees in narrow lines.
This was the family temple of Mori Motonari — the Sengoku warlord often associated with the Lesson of the Three Arrows. According to a well-known story, he gave each of his sons one arrow and asked them to break it. Then he gave them three arrows tied together, and none of them could snap it. Whether legend or lesson, it captures his philosophy: strength comes from unity.
Where to Eat in Yamaguchi – Kawara Soba at Choshuen Restaurant
In front of the pagoda’s gate stands Choshuen, a perfect place for a break. This restaurant is famous for Kawara Soba, the roof tile noodles.
Kawara soba was created in 1962 in Shimonoseki by a local restaurant owner inspired by a historical fact: during the Seinan War (1877), soldiers from the Choshu Domain used roof tiles to cook wild vegetables and meat over open fire, as tiles held heat well and were easy to find when traveling.
The modern version of the dish was born much later: green tea soba, thinly sliced omelette, beef, seaweed, and lemon mixed with spicy dipping sauce. Its popularity grew so much that Yamaguchi Prefecture officially recognized it as a local specialty.
Kyogen Experience at Noda Shrine
The best way to end the day in Yamaguchi City is with an unforgettable experience at the Noda Shrine Noh theatre.
Noda Shrine Noh Theater — Japan’s Living Cultural Heritage
Noda Shrine Noh Theater — Japan’s Living Cultural Heritage
After exploring Kozan Park (Rurikoji Pagoda & Toshunji Temple), we took a 20 min walk to Noda Shrine Noh theatre. It is one of the few places in Yamaguchi City where a real Noh stage is still preserved and used. Kyogen (狂言) is one of Japan’s oldest performing arts and is registered by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
For our visit, we were given special permission to step onto the Noh stage used for Kyogen performances — something normally reserved only for actors. Before entering, we were asked to say "omaku", the word used in Kyogen to greet the spirits that reside in the stage.
One of the most fascinating details is hidden beneath the stage. In many traditional Noh theaters (including here), ceramic jars are placed under the floor — to amplify footsteps and voice naturally, turning the whole stage into a living instrument.
We were also able to watch a short demonstration performed by two actors. One played a male role and the other a female role — but both were performed by men.
The most fascinating part of this experience for me was being allowed to wear garments and see real masks up close. We didn’t try the masks on, they are far too fragile, hand-carved from wood and treated almost like living beings. Some are passed down through generations, and even professional actors handle them with great care.
It made me want to see a full Kyogen performance one day.
Final Thoughts
What makes Yamaguchi valuable as a two-day stop is its position. It sits between Hiroshima and Kyushu, connected by Shinkansen, meaning you don’t need extra travel time to include it in your route. Instead of going straight from Hiroshima to Fukuoka, this trip allows you to step briefly into Japan’s older timeline.
In just two days, you can experience:
- Edo-era engineering at Kintai Bridge
- Muromachi-era architecture at Rurikoji Pagoda
- Samurai education and lifestyle at Kashiwabara Museum
- Traditional performing arts at Noda Shrine’s Noh stage
Edo-era engineering at Kintai Bridge
Muromachi-era architecture at Rurikoji Pagoda
Samurai education and lifestyle at Kashiwabara Museum
Traditional performing arts at Noda Shrine’s Noh stage
After visiting Iwakuni and Yamaguchi City, your journey can continue easily:
- Hiroshima is only 15 minutes away — perfect if you want to visit Itsukushima Shrine or learn about modern history.
- Fukuoka (Hakata) is about 35 minutes from Shin-Yamaguchi — an easy entry point to Kyushu.
- From Hakata, you can reach Beppu’s hot springs, Nagasaki’s history, or Kumamoto’s castle within just a few hours.
- For slower travelers, Yamaguchi itself continues into Hagi, Ube, Sanyo Onoda and Akiyoshidai — coastal towns, pottery villages, limestone caves, and cycling routes.
After that, the decision is simple:
Go deeper into Yamaguchi, or keep moving toward Kyushu.
Either way, you travel forward, but with a little more history in your pocket.
Go deeper into Yamaguchi, or keep moving toward Kyushu.
Either way, you travel forward, but with a little more history in your pocket.
SUBSCRIBE
Learn about new articles first!
Related Articles
関連記事
All photo and video materials belong to their owners and are used for demonstration purposes only. Please do not use them in commercial projects.
