A Journey through Yamaguchi’s Nature and Tourism

A Journey through Yamaguchi’s Nature and Tourism

Located at the westernmost tip of Honshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture is blessed with beautiful seas and lush green mountains that keep Japan’s rich history, culture, and cuisine very much alive. This journey will explore four areas of Yamaguchi, experiencing outdoor adventures that immerse us in nature while discovering the local cultures and ways of life rooted in each region.

The first destination is Nagato City, facing the Sea of Japan. Known as the “Alps of the Sea,” Omijima Island offers spectacular views from the water, where sightseeing boats sail close to dramatic cliffs and unusual rock formations carved by the powerful waves of the Sea of Japan over countless years. We also visit Nagato Yumoto Onsen, a hot spring town with some 600 years of history, where traditional onsen culture and new attractions come together amid abundant natural beauty.

Next, we head to Mine City, home to Akiyoshidai, one of Japan’s largest karst plateaus, and Akiyoshido Cave, which stretches deep beneath it. On an English-language geo-guided tour, we learn how this remarkable landscape was formed, before riding E-bikes through its vast grasslands. We also discover local efforts to protect this natural environment while promoting tourism and preserving it for future generations.

In the strait city of Shimonoseki, we visit Karato Market, where fresh seasonal seafood fills the stalls, and the castle town of Chofu, where traces of the samurai era still remain. Then we travel to Ganryujima, famous as the site of a legendary samurai duel more than 400 years ago. Inspired by its story, visitors from overseas try their hand at kendo, experiencing not only the techniques of the martial art, but also the “samurai spirit” of respect for one’s opponent.

Our final destination is Suo-Oshima, an island town in the Seto Inland Sea. With its beautiful waters and a range of outdoor activities, the island is also known as the “Hawaii of the Setouchi.” Behind that connection lies a history of migration, as many islanders left for Hawaii during the Meiji era. Today, the hula tradition lives on, with this unique culture being passed on to younger generations.
By experiencing the sea, mountains, and land, you encounter the history and culture beyond them, and the people dedicated themselves to preserving what makes their communities special. Far beyond simply sightseeing, this is a new journey through the experiences that Yamaguchi offers.

First aired on NHK WORLD-JAPAN/jibtv on 2026/9/18.
https://biz.jibtv.com/programs/a_journey_through_yamaguchis_nature_and_tourism/

#yamaguchiprefecture #shimonosekicity #geopark #nagato #outdoortourism #hawaii #hotspring #japantravel #jibtv
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*JIB produces a wide variety of programs about Japan*
*for broadcast on NHK WORLD-JAPAN/jibtv.*

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