Hello! I live in Kyushu and am planning a short road trip with some friends for golden week. We are planning on starting in Shimonoseki and finishing in Osaka while driving up along the western coast of Chugoku. I just started planning but would love some suggestions, especially more hidden gems since these areas are less travelled.
Day 1 – Shimonoseki –
* Check of the Karato fish market and nearby shrines
* In the afternoon do the Hinoyama cable car and then explore historic Chofu area
Day 2 – Drive to Hagi, Yamaguchi
* During the morning stop at fukutoku inari shrine, and other sites along the way.
* Afternoon: do the Hagi castle town canal cruise, explore historic area, go to Kikugahama beach for sunset
Day 3 – Drive to Izumo, Shimane
* (Not many plans for stops along the way yet)
* During the afternoon Izumo grand shrine and surrounding area and maybe Hinomisaki?
Day 4 – Tottori Hoping to spend this day in Tottori but am not sure exactly where. Many people have recommended the sand dunes but I’m usually not interested in those sorts of attractions so not sure yet. Thinking about Daisen… Any recommendations are appreciated!
Day 5 – Drive to Osaka – Hoping to arrive to Osaka in the evening. Any recommendations in Hyogo would be great!
Thanks!
1 comment
Hagi: you will probably need a full day (or close to a full day) for the major interests – they are close enough that technically you could walk between them, but still spaced out in such away that driving will save you some time, just not enough to make it a half-day town.
Izumo area: I generally recommend 3-4 days for Izumo Taisha and Matsue area, although with a car you could make it sort of 2-2½ day trip. Even if you want to skip Matsue, then you have Iwami Ginzan (world heritage site) and Tsuwano on the way to Izumo.
Day 4: Honestly, if you don’t have specific plans – Matsue would be probably the answer with Yuushien and Adachi Museum of Art in the wider region.
Day 5: Tsuyama is a nice castle town that’s on a direct route from Matsue/Mt. Daisen to Osaka.