Yamaguchi Coast & Karst Road Trip
Drive north from Shimonoseki along the Sea of Japan, cross the Tsunoshima Bridge, explore the Hagi Castle Town, and traverse Akiyoshidai to Shin-Yamaguchi.
Since public transportation makes it difficult to connect the sights along the Yamaguchi coast, this route uses a rental car to link Shimonoseki, Tsunoshima, Nagato, Hagi, and Akiyoshidai into a one-way road trip. The pace is relaxed, including a night at a hot spring resort. Ideal for road trip enthusiasts and repeat visitors to Japan. As Motonosumi Shrine currently has several restrictions, it is treated as a quick stopover rather than the main destination.
The torii gates of Motonosumi Shrine are undergoing restoration until after spring 2027; please check the opening days.
Day by day
Day 1 · Shimonoseki Strait & Karato
Kitakyushu & Shimonoseki（Karato Market、Shimonoseki Aquarium Kaikyokan、Akama Shrine、Hinoyama Park）
Pick up your rental car at Shin-Shimonoseki Station and drive to Karato (about 20 minutes). Park and explore the strait area on foot.
The sushi stalls at Karato Market are mostly open from Friday to Sunday; only the fresh fish market operates on weekdays.
Stay: Shimonoseki Station / Karato
Day 2 · Tsunoshima Bridge & North Nagato Coast
Kitakyushu & Shimonoseki（Tsunoshima Bridge、Motonosumi Shrine） → Higashishirobata Terraced Rice Fields → Hagi & Tsuwano（Nagato Yumoto Onsen）
Drive along the coast from Shimonoseki to Tsunoshima (about 1.5 hours), continue to Motonosumi (about 1 hour), and arrive at Nagato Yumoto in the evening.
Motonosumi is often closed to worship on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Walking through the torii gates is not allowed; enjoy the view from the Ryugu no Shiofuki side.
Stay: Nagato Yumoto Onsen
Day 3 · Strolling Through Hagi Castle Town
Hagi & Tsuwano（Hagi Castle Ruins & Shizuki Park、Hagi Castle Town (Kikuya Yokocho)、Hagi Uragami Museum、Shoin Shrine & Shoka Sonjuku）
Drive from Nagato Yumoto to Hagi via the national highway (about 1 hour). Park your car and explore the castle town on foot or by bicycle.
Stay: Horiuchi Castle Town
Day 4 · Akiyoshidai & Rurikoji Temple
Kitakyushu & Shimonoseki（Akiyoshido Cave、Akiyoshidai Plateau） → Hagi & Tsuwano（Rurikoji Five-storied Pagoda）
Drive from Hagi to Akiyoshido Cave (about 1 hour). After exploring the cave and the karst plateau, drive to Yamaguchi City (about 40 minutes), and return the car at Shin-Yamaguchi Station.
Akiyoshido Cave remains cold year-round and has slippery paths; wear non-slip shoes and pay attention to the entrance and parking locations.