Far less visited than Japan’s more famous coastal areas, the north coast of Yamaguchi offers a strong sense of remoteness. It's perfect for travelers seeking wild nature, quiet roads, and an authentic glimpse of rural coastal Japan. We recommend to visit it in Spring and Autumn. You'll still be able to bath until early November and be alone..
Here is our favorite places there.
Tsunoshima Bridge
Take a bath in 下関つくの温泉: an amazing onsen. It's part of an hotel you can visit until midnight. You can enjoy the beautiful sunset there:
You can sleep on the nearby parking on the beach with toilets: 赤田海水浴場
Ohama Beach
Ohama beach has a calm parking lot with toilets overlooking the beach. This parking is near a surf spot and you'll be able to rent a board at the surfshop next to the parking if you're feeling it.
Niinohama Beach
Very beautiful beach. You can enjoy camping there. Water is so clean and pure and it's possible to surf there but there is no shop for rental. There is shower and it's busy during the summer holidays. During the rest of the year there is only the toilets.
There is an onsen close by the beach about 15 minutes driving.
Hagi
Hagi is a must visit in the area. Some call it the Kyoto by the sea. There is a really beautiful preserved samurai district. It used to be the capital of the Mori Clan, one of the most powerful clans during the feudal age. Mori lords governed present Yamaguchi (then known as Choshu) for more than 250 years and played a central role in bringing about the Meiji Restoration in the second half of the 19th century.
If you do have the budget, staying in a ryokan (local inn) is an nice experience. Otherwise you can aim for the Hagi michi no eki.
We hope you'll enjoy our recommendations for visiting Yamaguchi by van.
Did you visit this part of Japan? Have any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments.