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What is the charm of Yamaguchi City, selected by The New York Times as a place to visit in 2024?
- YAMAGUCHI
- CHUGOKU
- SIGHTSEEING
- EXPERIENCE
- SPECIAL
- GARDEN
- ONSEN
- AUTUMN
- FALL_FOLIAGE
- AUTUMN_LEAVES
- MOMIJI
Do you know Yamaguchi City, Japan? Yamaguchi City has been selected for The New York Times' list of "52 Places to Go in 2024!"
The key to its selection is its temples, shrines, and culture, often called "Kyoto of the West." Furthermore, it is noted for not being as crowded with tourists as Kyoto.
Here we introduce some recommended spots in Yamaguchi City featured in The New York Times.
It is said that around 1360, during the era of samurai in Japan, a man named Ouchi Hiroyo, the 24th head of the Ouchi clan, who was a warrior defending the area around present-day Yamaguchi City, was so impressed by the culture of Kyoto that he began to build a town modeled after Kyoto. The town is also characterized by a unique culture that emerged from the fusion of Kyoto culture and continental cultures through trade with the continent.
The Five-Storied Pagoda of Rurikoji Temple, a national treasure, is the tenth oldest of its kind existing in Japan and is counted among the three most famous pagodas for its beauty. Together with the scenic garden, you can enjoy beautiful views that change with the seasons.
Unfortunately, as of 2024, the pagoda is undergoing major renovations until 2026, and its figure cannot be seen.
But there are unique opportunities available only during the renovations.
During that period, Ruriko-ji Temple offers special up-close viewing of Buddhist statues that are not usually open to the public except on specific occasions.
Also, an art program with projection mapping was being presented in the park until May 9.
Official Website (Japanese): https://shouka-oouchi.jp/
Ryufukuji Temple is a temple of high historical value, designated asa nationally important cultural property. In addition, it is famous for its autumn foliage!
During the autumn leaves season from mid to late November, the approach to the temple with its red-colored maple leaves attracts a large number of visitors.
Yuda Onsen, with its legend that a white fox found it, is also known as a hot spring for beautiful skin.
While staying at a onsen inn is recommended, you can also visit footbaths and spots for drinking onsen water scattered throughout the town, as well as take a day trip to the hotels' onsen.
It is conveniently located about 15 minutes by train from Shin-Yamaguchi Station, close to the city center of Yamaguchi.
Official Website：https://yudaonsen.com/
The Yamaguchi Gion Festival is a traditional festival that has continued since 1459, modeled after the Gion Festival in Kyoto. The festival includes portable shrines and a citizens' dance parade of about 2,000 people.
It will annually be held from July 20 to 27, so if you are interested in this event, please make sure you get the date and time right.
You can take a break after a stroll for sightseeing, or get some home-roasted coffee beans for souvenirs.
- LOG COFFEE ROASTERS：https://log-coffee-roasters.com/
- Coffeeboy：https://www.coffeeboy.co.jp/
- 原口珈琲：https://www.instagram.com/haraguchicoffee_2/
In addition to LOG COFFEE ROASTERS, there are other cafes and restaurants in the central Yamaguchi City shopping district, as well. Come check them out!
The entrance is small, and you might feel a bit nervous going through the noren (traditional Japanese fabric dividers), but just step inside. There, you will be welcomed by the friendly proprietress.
Not only within Yamaguchi Prefecture, but Fukuoka Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture are also close by, allowing for combined sightseeing.
Since April 2024, a wide-area touring bus service has started operating from Shin-Yamaguchi Station, touring the tourist spots of Yamaguchi City (this is a trial service that will run until March 2025).
Please make use of such services to discover the attractive places in Yamaguchi City.
Yamaguchi City Tourism Information Website: https://yamaguchi-city.jp/w/en/
Yamaguchi City Maas Burayama | やまぐちMaasぷらやま：https://maas-y.com/
■From Tokyo
Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and get off at Shin-Yamaguchi Station. It takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
■From Osaka
Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station and get off at Shin-Yamaguchi Station. It takes about 2 hours.
From Shin-Yamaguchi Station to the city center, Yamaguchi Station, it's about a 30-minute ride on the train (JR Yamaguchi Line). Once you arrive at Yamaguchi Station, you'll find the tourist spots are compactly located.
Have you got interested in Yamaguchi City?
We hope you will make a visit there, a place where you can enjoy temples, shrines, seasonal events, hot springs, and gourmet food.
*The above article is based on a coverage made in June 2024.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.
The key to its selection is its temples, shrines, and culture, often called "Kyoto of the West." Furthermore, it is noted for not being as crowded with tourists as Kyoto.
Here we introduce some recommended spots in Yamaguchi City featured in The New York Times.
Why is Yamaguchi City called "Kyoto of the West"?
It is said that around 1360, during the era of samurai in Japan, a man named Ouchi Hiroyo, the 24th head of the Ouchi clan, who was a warrior defending the area around present-day Yamaguchi City, was so impressed by the culture of Kyoto that he began to build a town modeled after Kyoto. The town is also characterized by a unique culture that emerged from the fusion of Kyoto culture and continental cultures through trade with the continent.
Spotlighted by The New York Times! Here are 7 recommended spots
1. National Treasure: Rurikouji Temple's Five-storied Pagoda (Kouzan Park) | 国宝 瑠璃光寺五重塔（香山公園）
The Five-Storied Pagoda of Rurikoji Temple, a national treasure, is the tenth oldest of its kind existing in Japan and is counted among the three most famous pagodas for its beauty. Together with the scenic garden, you can enjoy beautiful views that change with the seasons.
Unfortunately, as of 2024, the pagoda is undergoing major renovations until 2026, and its figure cannot be seen.
But there are unique opportunities available only during the renovations.
During that period, Ruriko-ji Temple offers special up-close viewing of Buddhist statues that are not usually open to the public except on specific occasions.
Also, an art program with projection mapping was being presented in the park until May 9.
Official Website (Japanese): https://shouka-oouchi.jp/
2. Ryufukuji Temple | 龍福寺
Ryufukuji Temple is a temple of high historical value, designated asa nationally important cultural property. In addition, it is famous for its autumn foliage!
During the autumn leaves season from mid to late November, the approach to the temple with its red-colored maple leaves attracts a large number of visitors.
3. Pottery Kiln - Mizunoe Kiln (Toshunji Temple) | 陶芸窯 水ノ上窯（洞春寺）
Situated on the grounds of Toshunji Temple is the Mizunoue Kiln, a pottery kiln. In the studio, which was once a temple barn, ceramic pieces are produced, displayed, and on sale.
Official Instagram:
[Mizunoe Kiln Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/mizunouegama/
*As they have irregular holidays, please contact them directly before visiting.
4. Yuda Onsen | 湯田温泉
Yuda Onsen, with its legend that a white fox found it, is also known as a hot spring for beautiful skin.
While staying at a onsen inn is recommended, you can also visit footbaths and spots for drinking onsen water scattered throughout the town, as well as take a day trip to the hotels' onsen.
It is conveniently located about 15 minutes by train from Shin-Yamaguchi Station, close to the city center of Yamaguchi.
Official Website：https://yudaonsen.com/
5. The Yamaguchi Gion Festival | 山口祇園祭
The Yamaguchi Gion Festival is a traditional festival that has continued since 1459, modeled after the Gion Festival in Kyoto. The festival includes portable shrines and a citizens' dance parade of about 2,000 people.
It will annually be held from July 20 to 27, so if you are interested in this event, please make sure you get the date and time right.
6. Coffee Shops
The New York Times has featured several coffee shops.You can take a break after a stroll for sightseeing, or get some home-roasted coffee beans for souvenirs.
- LOG COFFEE ROASTERS：https://log-coffee-roasters.com/
- Coffeeboy：https://www.coffeeboy.co.jp/
- 原口珈琲：https://www.instagram.com/haraguchicoffee_2/
In addition to LOG COFFEE ROASTERS, there are other cafes and restaurants in the central Yamaguchi City shopping district, as well. Come check them out!
7. Izakaya (Japanese Bar)
Dotted along the back alleys of Yamaguchi City's central shopping district, you will find a variety of izakayas (Japanese bar) and ramen shops. Located among them is 'Kantarou Oden.' an oden shop where you can enjoy your food at the counter, which is also recommended.The entrance is small, and you might feel a bit nervous going through the noren (traditional Japanese fabric dividers), but just step inside. There, you will be welcomed by the friendly proprietress.
If you want to have fun in Yamaguchi City + more!
Near Yamaguchi City, there are scenic spots such as 'Motono Sumi Shrine' in Nagato City, which is known for its beautiful sequence of 123 torii gates stretching towards the sea, and 'Tsunoshima Bridge' in Shimonoseki City, which leads to the island of Tsunoshima.Not only within Yamaguchi Prefecture, but Fukuoka Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture are also close by, allowing for combined sightseeing.
Since April 2024, a wide-area touring bus service has started operating from Shin-Yamaguchi Station, touring the tourist spots of Yamaguchi City (this is a trial service that will run until March 2025).
Please make use of such services to discover the attractive places in Yamaguchi City.
Yamaguchi City Tourism Information Website: https://yamaguchi-city.jp/w/en/
Yamaguchi City Maas Burayama | やまぐちMaasぷらやま：https://maas-y.com/
How do you get to Yamaguchi City?
Yamaguchi City is located towards the southern side of Japan. It's at the edge of Honshu, close to the Kyushu area and Hiroshima.■From Tokyo
Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and get off at Shin-Yamaguchi Station. It takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
■From Osaka
Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station and get off at Shin-Yamaguchi Station. It takes about 2 hours.
From Shin-Yamaguchi Station to the city center, Yamaguchi Station, it's about a 30-minute ride on the train (JR Yamaguchi Line). Once you arrive at Yamaguchi Station, you'll find the tourist spots are compactly located.
Have you got interested in Yamaguchi City?
We hope you will make a visit there, a place where you can enjoy temples, shrines, seasonal events, hot springs, and gourmet food.
*The above article is based on a coverage made in June 2024.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.
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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 11 12,2024 Author：DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team
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