5 prefectures
Chūgoku
Powerful history, limestone coasts, and refined small cities between Osaka and Kyūshū.
Best seasons · Spring cherry blossoms; mild autumn hiking on plateau trails.Hubs · Hiroshima · Miyajima
Overview
Chūgoku unveils Hiroshima’s resilience, Okayama’s canal town Kurashiki, Tottori’s dunes, and Shimane’s mythic shrines.
Best seasons
Spring cherry blossoms; mild autumn hiking on plateau trails.
Transportation
Use Hiroshima as a hub for trams and ferry to Miyajima; San’in route benefits from Sunrise express nights.
Prefectures
Tap through for itineraries, food, transport, and FAQs.
Travel map
San-yō Shinkansen connects major hubs; rental cars help San’in coast pacing.
Interactive map embed placeholder — wire Mapbox / Google Maps later with prefecture pins.
Best things to do
- ●Miyajima island shrine at high tide
- ●Kurashiki Bikan historical quarter
- ●Izumo Taisha and mythology storytelling
- ●Tottori sand dunes and art museums
Food highlights
Hiroshima-style okonomiyakiOystersMatsuba crabIzumo soba
Seasonal recommendations
Spring
Castle towns in bloom; mild days along the Sanyō coast.
Summer
Beaches and fireworks; islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
Autumn
Plateau drives and maple corridors toward Tsuyama.
Winter
Snowy San’in onsen and hearty crab menus.
Featured itineraries
Setouchi highlights (5 days)
Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kurashiki, and art island day trips.
Mythic San’in
Matsue castle, Izumo Taisha, remote coast photography.
Transportation: Use Hiroshima as a hub for trams and ferry to Miyajima; San’in route benefits from Sunrise express nights.