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Cities and Regions:Northern Towns and Southern Towns
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Northern Towns
Last updated June 26, 2003

Whether you are just passing through the region or are an incoming JET starved for information on your new home, get a glimpse of Yamaguchi ken from the perspective of former JETs. Just choose your destination!

Click here for Cities
 Northern Towns (on this page)
 Click here for Southern Towns
  • Shimonoseki
  • Ube
  • Hagi
  • Yamaguchi City
  • Hofu
  • Tokuyama
  • Iwakuni City

  • Yamato
  • Yanai
  • Kuga
  • Oshima
  • Mine
  • Asa
  • Aio
  • Abu
  • Hikari



Tamagawa-cho
by: Brad Araki

Tamagawa is located in the Northwest corner of Yamaguchi. It is bordered by Shimane and Susa. Tamagawa is a very small town, with a population of approximately 3,900 people. Tamagawa is divided into two smaller areas, Esaki and Ogawa. Esaki, which is on the ocean side, is the more commercial of the two areas. It is home to Tamagawas golf course, michi no eki (road station), onsen, and a few restraunts. If you are coming to Tamagawa by train, please note that the name of the train station is Esaki and not Tamagawa.





Yuya
by: Lucy Porteous

At the most north western corner of the prefecture an emerald-clad finger gesticulates rudely into the Japan sea. This little cho of less than 9,000 citizens is Yuya, a collective of five pretty villages nestled between hills, paddy fields, forests, rivers and shores.

Much of Yuya-cho's charm lies in its unique geographical situation. The surf is renowned at the popular ãOhama Beachä on the Japan Sea side, whereas fishermen and families alike enjoy the calm of Yuya bay with its spotless and stunning ãYY Beachä. In the summer the water is warm and clean and deepens very gradually so it's easy to swim out to one of the inviting little islands, or failing that just wallow lazily. There is also a cafŽ, shower block and barbecue/picnic area on-site. Buses go to Ohama Beach from Hitomaru station and trains stop at Igami for YY Beach.

All-year-round bathers will find plenty of onsen in the surrounding area, although the only one actually within the cho boundaries is found at the beautifully renovated Yokihi Hotel near Igami station. The hotel is named after one of Yuya's cultural claims to fame - a wife of the Chinese Emperor's, said to be one of the three great beauties of the world (alongside Cleopatra and someone else who's name no one I've asked can ever remember) who fled China and was washed ashore and died here in 756a.d. Her striking statue can be found alongside two Confucian style pavilions where she gazes out to sea. According to legend, she was 38 years old when she died, so the bright white marble monument was made 3.8 metres tall.

All along the Sanin coast there are dramatic panoramic viewpoints. At each of Yuya's febrile extremities and peaks you can see for miles on a clear day. Several places offer a panorama that straddles the Japan Sea and Yuya Bay in a glance, but the most famous is Myokenzan. This is where the town mayor goes every December 30th to watch the first sunrise of the new year.

People come from all over Japan to see Yuya's famed tanada (terraced rice fields), photos of which grace many a calendar. It might seem a strange tourist attraction, but they really are beautiful, especially in the summer when the unusually shaped water-logged plateaux reflect the sky so perfectly.

When I first arrived in Yuya I was thrilled to find that it has an incredibly well equipped and active cultural center. Considering the modest population, the theatre with plush seating for 500, grand piano and full Taiko drum range, conference rooms and well stocked book, CD and video library (some in original language) were a welcome surprise. So far the center has hosted several classical concerts, a steel-drum workshop and show, a karaoke competition drawing contestants and spectators from miles around, musicals, bunkasai and lots more. Anyone living in Otsu gun or Hohoku cho is entitled to free membership.

You can be pretty self sufficient in Yuya. There are supermarkets, clinics and banks, an electrical shop, hardware store, bike shop and book shop. There are lots of little restaurants dotted around offering Japanese food, but Lawsons offers the only fast food. The best restaurant in the cho for quality and value for money is ãIsoheiä, conveniently located just across the road from the AET's house!

Getting to and from Yuya cho is a bit of an ordeal if you're coming from the opposite corner of the ken by train, but otherwise it's easy. The 191 runs right through Hitomaru, slicing through the hot-bed of activity that encompasses Lawsons and the Isohei restaurant on one side of the road and the AET's house on the other. Igami and Hitomaru stations are both on the Sanin line. Nagato-shi is only ten minutes to the east and Shimonoseki is about an hour and three quarters to the south. Crossing the prefecture by car to Tokuyama takes just over an hour and a half on the expressway.





Susa
by: Amie McGory

Susa is a bustling town, nestled between Masuda and Hagi on the San-in line. Known for its delicious sea life and breath-taking Horunferusu, there is no other choice but to come as soon as you can. But seriously, if you are looking for a great view of the ocean and perhaps a chance to snorkel, there is no other tranquil spot than Susa. You would need to drive to the Hornfells or the Ecology Camp (where snorkel equipment can be rented, not suggested after July though, lots of jellyfish).

Beside the train station, there are two grocery stores, a variety of liquor shops and ample fishing anywhere along the water's edge. So don't hesitate! Ring up your Susa AET and come experience a bit of nature (if your selected Guch location isn't already providing you with enough).

If your computer can read Japanese, check out the website: www.susa-town.net/ or www.urban.ne.jp/home/susatown





Mutsu Mutsumi & Fukue
by: Michelle O'Hara

Mutsumi-where?
This village is still untouched by the ravages of tourism so if you would like a piece of traditional Japan then Mutsumi is your place. The people are really friendly and will chase you down the street to give you Mutsumi's produce:melon, tomatoes, rice and radishes. Truly, you will never have seen such huge radishes. They are a sight to behold. Tourist season here is between the snowless months of March and November and according to the bus times of 7am to 6.25pm. You can, however, come at any other time you like but you may never leave....A beautiful, quiet place to practice your Zen meditation.

Happiness: Fukue-Where?
Fukue means happiness and you will surely find your little bit of happiness here. 20 minutes by bus from Hagi this sleepy but happy village is very much traditional Japan. Shibuki village, part of Fukue is really beautiful as it is nestled in the mountains. The school also has a pool for you to cool of in when the happiness warms your heart too much. Have fun.





Ato-cho
by: Christene Tipping

Ato-cho is a farming town (pop. 9,000) nestled in the mountains between Yamaguchi City and Shimane Prefecture. It is accessible by the JR Yamaguchi Line (there are nine train stations within the town's limits). Delicious apples are Ato-cho's claim to fame. Several orchards are open for all-u-can-pick between August and October (Nabekura station). Chomonkyo Gorge offers a pleasant hike (stroll?) for nature enthusiasts. It's at its most beautiful in fall when the maple leaves are changing colors, however, you will have to battle busloads of Japanese tourists for a spot on the path during weekends (Chomonkyo station). Ato-cho, which is lovingly referred to as "Hokkaido of Yamaguchi Prefecture" by the locals, gets a fair amount of snow during winter and has a small ski hill with one chairlift (bus to Tokusagamine is available from Tokusa station). Ganjojyu onsen (hot spring) offers both an outdoor and indoor bath as well as a steam room and it costs just 400 yen. Tsuwano (Shimane Prefecture) which borders Ato-cho is a quaint tourist town and it is worth spending a day or so sightseeing there. The carps swimming in the canals along the main road are rumored to outnumber the town's population. Inari-jinja, a bright orange shrine on the side of a mountain should not be missed. Tsuwano is famous for its washi (Japanese paper) which you can see being made. It is available for sale in any of the numerous souvenir shops. Tsuwano station is the last stop on the SL (steam locomotive) line from Ogori.





Nagato
by Russ Ordonia

Tired of looking at smokestacks, wandering through SeaMall every weekend, or trawling the local U.S. military installation? Fed up with your little town where the only excitement is waiting for the new Joyfull restaurant to be built while avoiding the crabs crossing the street? Then make your way to the jewel of Yamaguchi-ken, Nagato.

The first place you will want to visit is nearby Omijima-island. The easiest way is by bus, but it is also possible to ride a bike there. Scenic views and a whaling museum await you. For those of you who don't get seasick, try the 2-hour boat ride that takes you through the limestone caverns. There are also two sites to car-camp.

Still itching for more scenery? Try heading towards Heki and go to Senjoujiki. You will need a car. To get there you will pass a handful of windmills that are the pride and joy of Engergia. From Senjoujiki "we can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea", Nagato, and the surrounding area. Absolutely stunning! Locals like to trick you into thinking that you can see South Korea. Of course, you can also try out the play equipment or have a barbeque (the former is highly recommended).

For those interested in climbing mountains with their feet and not in a car, we have Hanao-san. It is no Fuji-san, but it is a fun climb that will take you about two or three hours. Another great view; I am pretty sure I saw all the way to the Seitonaikai.

All that traveling and climbing will probably tire you out and you may want to take a dip in an onsen. You are in luck because the best ones in Yamaguchi happen to be here. Tawarayama is supposed to be great (but I have never been there). The more famous is Yumoto. I have met people as far away as Kagoshima-ken who know of it. It is pretty nice. I heard that some bigwig from France came here when he visited Japan.

Now that you are clean, you will want to head into town. It may be the second smallest city in the prefecture, but that doesn't mean there is no excitement. Look past the pachinko parlours and the assortment of department stores and there is something for everyone. There is a brand new community center, Renessa (but for some reason pronounced "runessa"). Something is always happening. Behind the hill next to Renessa is a playground. Sometimes the 6'3" AET from Oregon goes to play on the big slide.

Those interested in the culinary delights of Japan will want to try the sushi at () and (), where the fish is so fresh that it was probably caught about the same time you woke up that morning. Others might want to try the McDonald's, which is one of the few in Japan that serves breakfast. There is the standard array of "sunaku" bars. The most famous with the AET's seems to be "Jockey's", run by, guess who, Jockey. Nice Japanese guy, decent English. Kind of a mellow place, though. Those looking for a little bit more racy place might head down the hall to "Star". The women here are all imported for three months from the Philippines (long story). I have only been here once, and it was the only time while in Japan that I almost got in a fight. Yeah, it may be the inaka but we got bad stuff, too. Two years ago during Halloween someone got stabbed to death in one of the bathrooms at a department store.

Crime, alcohol, delicious food, great scenery, onsens, and a three-story Starbucks (so secret I cannot tell you where it is)!! What more could you want from a place? Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka? Whatever. NAGATO! You gotta go.





 Shuho-town
by: Frank Valenzuela

Shuho Town is a small town with a population of 6,900 located roughly in the center western portion of the prefecture. Although there aren't any attractions, the town does contain a great deal of beautiful natural scenery. It is the home to Akiyoshi Cave, the second biggest cave in Asia; the Akiyoshi plateau, the biggest limestone plateau in the world; and the Shiraito Waterfall. In addition there are numerous other places of interest such as the Benten Pond, and the Akiyoshi International Art Village.

The Akiyoshi Cave and Plateau are open all year long with the peak of the tourist season being during the summer. The cave is open from 9am - 5pm and it costs 1240 yen. The plateau is open all the time and there is no charge. There are a large number of small shops lining the walkway to the entrance to the cave where one can purchase souvenirs or buy snacks. The plateau is within walking distance of the cave making it an ideal spot to eat one's lunch after a hard trek through the cave.

Shuho Town is also famous for its nashi (Japanese pear) which is available near the end of August for about one month.

The town does not have a train station so you must provide your own transportation.





 Toyoura-town
by: Tamara Shie

Toyoura Town is located on the San-in coastline, about half way between Shimonoseki and Takibe. Toyoura is made up of several mini towns including Kuroimura, Kawatana-Onsen, Kogushi, and Yutama.

Probably the most famous of these is Kawatana Onsen (hot spring). About a kilometer from the Kawatana Onsen station is the hot springs area. There is a public onsen called Sei Ryusen which costs 340 yen and includes a sauna, massaging jets, and an unusual electric bath (shocking!). There is also the onsen at the Otafuku hotel, which costs 640 yen and has a very nice rotemburo outdoor bath. During the first week of April there is an Onsen festival in Kawatana.

Kawatana is also famous for its Kawara Soba, which is buckwheat noodles served steaming on a rooftile (kawara). The noodles are green because they are made with green tea and served with meat and shredded egg and dipping sauce. There are two restaurants serving the original Kawara Soba in Kawatana, one is the more modern shop and the older one which is in a former geisha house.

Kogushi itself doesn't have a whole lot, although there is a somewhat nice beach area about 5 minutes from the station near the marina. The beach is not as popular as others in the prefecture, but it can get crowded on summer weekends. Wandering the narrow streets around the marina as well as going to the several temples and shrines in the vicinity is also a pleasant way to enjoy an hour or two.

The Tokufuku Inari Shrine, with it's big red torii overlooking the sea (and route 191) is located halfway between Kogushi and Yutama. It's a good place to get away on a sunny afternoon but is a little difficult to get to without wheels. It isn't Ise, but the location is great. When driving along national highway 191 going north, you can't miss the large red torii gate on your right (just after the automobile graveyard).






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