Chugoku Travel Guide

Chugoku, which means central country in Japanese makes up the western part of the main island of Honshu.

Suggested Itinerary

It is recommended that you spend at least a week in the Chugoku region to fully explore its attractions.

The Main Attractions of Chugoku

Hiroshima – A vibrant, green, attractive modern city rebuilt after the destruction of the past with the main sights being Hiroshima Castle and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Miyajima – Also known as Itsukushima, it is one of the most beautiful places in Japan famous for its shrine and large torii gate, it is less than an hour from Hiroshima city

Okayama – Home to Koraku-en, one of Japan’s three best gardens and Okayama Castle, located just across from the garden

Kurashiki – A picturesque old merchant town in Okayama, famous for its beautifully preserved Bikan historical area and old Edo Period warehouses

Bizen – The Bizen region has been famous for its Bizen-yaki ceramics for centuries. A must see is the Shizutani School, a historic Edo Period school

Matsue – A former castle town with its castle Matsue-jo a 1611 original, and a fine example of a samurai residence. The Adachi Museum of Art has an award winning garden that is one of Japan’s best

Hagi – Historic city on the scenic Japan Sea coast with a beautifuly preserved samurai district as well as temples and shrines