The Chugoku region blends powerful history with beautiful nature, soothing hot springs, and excellent seafood—from Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine to Okayama’s Korakuen Garden, Yamaguchi’s Hagi and Akiyoshidai, Shimane’s Izumo Taisha, and the Tottori Sand Dunes.
This model course uses public transport (Shinkansen, JR, buses) with a relaxed 9:00–18:00 schedule over 2 nights and 3 days to balance history, nature, hot springs, and food.
Overview (2 nights, 3 days)
- Transport: Shinkansen, JR, buses
- Suggested bases: Night 1 = Hiroshima or Miyajima / Night 2 = Matsue or Okayama
- Sightseeing hours: depart 9:00 / arrive accommodation 18:00
- Budget estimate:
- Transport: approx. ¥5,000–10,000/day
- Meals: approx. ¥3,000–6,000/day
- Lodging: approx. ¥8,000–15,000/night
- Total (2 nights, 3 days): approx. ¥50,000–80,000/person
Itinerary
- Day 1: Hiroshima & Miyajima – Peace Memorial Park & A-Bomb Dome → lunch (Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, oysters) → ferry to Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Omotesando shopping street, Mt. Misen ropeway (sunset) → stay in Miyajima or Hiroshima.
- Day 2: Okayama & Kurashiki – Korakuen Garden & Okayama Castle → lunch (demi-katsu bowl, bara-zushi) → Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (Ohara Museum, white-walled streets) → stay in Okayama or move to Matsue.
- Day 3: San’in (Matsue / Izumo / Tottori) – Izumo Taisha shrine → lunch (Izumo soba, shijimi clam soup) → Matsue Castle & Lake Shinji cruise or Tottori Sand Dunes → depart via Yonago or Okayama.
Seasonal Highlights
- Spring (Mar–May): Cherry blossoms at Miyajima, Korakuen, and Matsue Castle; spring visit to Izumo Taisha
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Seto Inland Sea island-hopping, fireworks (Hiroshima, Matsue), sunsets at Tottori Sand Dunes
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Foliage at Miyajima, Tomonoura, and Akiyoshidai; Matsue Suigo Lantern Festival
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Lake Shinji sunsets, Tamatsukuri & Yuda hot springs, winter crab cuisine
Food & Souvenirs
- Food: Hiroshima okonomiyaki, oysters, Izumo soba, bara-zushi, demi-katsu bowl, shijimi clam soup, fugu, Sakaiminato crab
- Souvenirs: Momiji manju, Kibi dango, Izumo soba (dried), Tottori pears, Hagi-yaki pottery, Inaba white rabbit items