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Region of Japan
Photo: (WT-en) Jpatokal at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chūgoku (中国) is the westernmost part of the main Japanese island Honshu. Aside from Hiroshima, most of Chugoku is probably well off the beaten track for a brief visit to Japan; but if time permits, you'll find a region full of memorable sights and experiences, and a side of Japan that's completely unlike the better-known destinations in Kansai and Kanto.
Beyond the atomic bomb and the unforgettable Peace Memorial Park, there's also the lovely island of Miyajima, and busy lanes of traffic by sea to Shikoku and the Seto Inland Sea.
The region's easternmost prefecture features a bustling capital in Okayama and a wealth of old, charming merchant quarters.
Gateway to Kyushu and exchange with South Korea and China, with scenes of major influence on Japanese history.
Known mainly for the enigmatic sand dunes of its capital city, a popular climbing destination at Mt. Daisen, and a long coastline.
The second least populous prefecture in Japan also has its second holiest Shinto shrine and one of its few remaining original castles.
By train
The San'yo Shinkansen line links Hiroshima, Okayama and other major towns to Kyushu in the southwest and Kansai, Nagoya, Yokohama and Tokyo to the east.
By ferry
The JR West Sanyo San'in Area Pass allows unlimited travel during 7 days in an area approximatively between Fukuoka (on Kyūshū island) and Kyoto (excluding a patch in the north-east), and to the north-east of Shikoku.
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Okayama · International · OKJ
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site of the infamous atomic bomb attack.
beautifully preserved castle town
Home to the great Izumo Shrine, the second most holy Shinto Shrine in Japan.
site of one of Japan's largest and most beautiful historic areas, the Bikan Historic District, as well as the famous Ohara Museum of Art, which is full of famous works from Europe.
Famous for Matsue Castle, one of Japan's few remaining original castles
featuring Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's Top 3 gardens and the brooding black Okayama Castle.
gateway to Kyushu and the Kanmon Straits, best known for turning poisonous fish into gourmet meals.
Home to Japan's only sand dunes, the Tottori Sand Dunes provide visitors with a highly unique experience, including camel rides.
a city with many well-preserved temples.
has the largest plateau and cave in Japan.
home to Japan's oldest and most respected style of pottery.
climbers flock to the beautiful Mount Daisen.
a town with the picturesque Kintai-kyo Bridge.
Location of Itsukushima Shrine, the most photographed shrine in all of Japan.
Silver mines, registered as a .
An island cluster designated as a geopark, known for its nature and scenic coastal views.
a quaint town most famous for Bitchu Matsuyama Castle.
a relaxed town famous for the thousands of cherry blossoms around its castle ruins in Kakuzan Park.
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