Chugoku

Located in the westernmost part of Honshu Island, consists of the five prefectures of Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi. There are wide climate differences between the warm and mild Seto Inland Sea side and the Sea of Japan side with snowfalls and ski resorts on Mt. Daisen and in other districts. The region is home to many important shrines that attract tourists from all over Japan, including Itsukushima Jinja Shrine (also called Miyajima), a world cultural heritage site in Miyajima, Hiroshima prefecture. Another important shrine in the region is Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine in Shimane Prefecture.

Important Places

Miyajima

Itsukushima Jinja Shrine is the most famous tourist spot in the Chugoku region. With its large torii gate standing in the shallow Ocean waters off the shore, this shrine is known as one of the three best panoramic sites in Japan alongside Matushima in Miyagi and Amanohashidate in Kyoto. You can also walk under the torii at low tide.

Tottori Sand Dunes

The sand dunes in Tottori Prefecture are the largest in Japan, and offer beautiful sights of wide-wrought patterns in the sand. This area is also home to Mt. Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region which rises 1729 meters(5672 feet) above sea level. Many skiers visit this mountain in winter.

Atomic Bomb Dome

An atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima City near the end of World War II. This building exhibiting the damage wrought by the A-bomb was registered on the UNESCO cultural heritage list as a symbol of peace.

Matsue Castle

Located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Matsue Castle is a designated national treasure. It is also known as the Plover Castle because it resembles a polover spreading its wings.There are pleasure boats that travel the castle is a noted place for viewing cherry blossoms.

Hagi and Tsuwano

Hagi was once a castle town, while Tsuwano is a city on the water that has many waterways and canals. Nishikigoi (fancy carps) of various colors swim in waterways set in front of samurai houses in Tsuwano.