10 recommended touring roads and spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture, selected by riders who have circumnavigated Japan twice.

Hello to all Webike Plus readers! I am Sasu Rider, a man who is not satisfied unless he collects all the "run, eat, and soak" items on a touring trip.

Located at the westernmost tip of Honshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture is an area where you can collect all your "running, eating, and soaking" needs: the dazzling blue Kakushima Bridge, the otherworldly Akiyoshidai Karst Road, the historic Hagi and Iwakuni areas, and even hot springs and gourmet food!

..... So, in this issue, we would like to introduce some of the recommended touring roads and spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture, carefully selected from a rider's point of view.

*The information on each spot is current as of March 2026. The information is subject to change without notice. Please check before you go.

1 A spectacular winding road: Akiyoshidai Karst Road

Akiyoshidai Karst Road (Prefectural Road No. 242) is a winding road with spectacular views that should not be missed when touring in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The road offers a great view of Akiyoshidai, one of the largest karst plateaus in Japan, dotted with white limestone rocks , and the road gently stretches through grasslands!

The road isalso dotted with limestone caves, a characteristic of karst plateaus, making it a luxurious place to enjoyboth driving and exploring.

One Point Advice from a Sasu Rider

If you ride the Akiyoshidai Karst Road, you must stop by the limestone caves called Akiyoshido. It is one of the largest limestone caves in Japan, spreading out beneath Akiyoshidai Karst Road. The sightseeing course for the general public takes about one hour round trip, and the cool cave interior is ideal as a cool-down spot in summer! By the way, the admission fee is 1,600 yen, which is a reasonable amount, but it is definitely not a loss because the cave is worth seeing! Motorcycles can be parked for free in the "Municipal Parking Lot No. 1", but not in the " Municipal Parking Lot No. 2".

2 Bridge with a spectacular view: Kakunoshima Bridge

Perhaps riders have seen it on SNS at least once, Kakushima Ohashi Bridge is the pride of Yamaguchi Prefecture and has a spectacular special A-class view.

This 1,780-meter-long bridge connects Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki City, and the remote island of Kakunoshima. The contrast between the cobalt blue sea, the single bridge running through it, and the island's greenery makes for the most "SNS-worthy" sight!

What's more, you can ride on this wonderful bridge for free, so enjoy it to the fullest along with the photo spots on both sides of the bridge.

One Point Advice from a Sasu Rider

After crossing the Kakunoshima Ohashi Bridge, we recommend going straight to the Kakunoshima Lighthouse, where you can climb up to the top of the lighthouse for an admission fee of 300 yen! Motorcycles can be parked in the parking lot just past the lighthouse for 100 yen per day, and lunch with a view of the sea at the nearby café-restaurant " Grand Vista Kakunoshima " is also recommended.

3 Westernmost point of Honshu: Bishanohana

The power word "westernmost point of Honshu" is a word that every rider will respond to! That is "Bishanohana" in Shimonoseki City. It is the end of the road, not a touristy place in the good sense of the word, and its symbol is a cute miniature lighthouse with the inscription "The westernmost point of Honshu" on it! It has an open view of the Sea of Japan with almost no obstructions in sight, and facilities include a free parking lot and public restrooms.

One Point Advice from a Sasu Rider

If you go all the way to Bishanohana with your car, you should definitely get a "Certificate of Reaching the Westernmost Point of Honshu".

You can get it for only 100 yen at any of the following places: ShimonosekiStationTouristInformationCenter, Shin-Shimonoseki Station Tourist Information Center, Tourist Information Dissemination Terminal, or Shimonoseki Tourism Convention Association!

By the way, if you don't have time to go to the shipping location, you can also mail it touson the due date.

4 Power Spot: Motonosumi Shrine

Motonosumi Shrine, with its 123 beautiful vermilion torii gates lined up facing the sea, is one of the most famous power spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Founded in 1955 by a local fisherman after receiving a "white fox's oracle," the shrine is believed to be a god of prosperity and good fishing!

Riders can also enjoy the seaside roads around Nagato City, where Motonosumi Shrine is located, and get both the joy and power of riding.

One point of advice from a Sasu rider

Motonosumi Shrine has a parking lot right in front of the entrance shown in the photo, and a dedicated space for motorcycles is available next to the bus frame.

The parking fee for motorcycles is inexpensive at 100 yen per day, and public restrooms and stores are available in the vicinity.

In addition, Motonosumi Shrine has "Japan's hardest-to-insert money box," which is located above the 6-meter-high Otorii (Grand Gate) on the grounds. If you throw money into the box from the bottom, your wish will come true.

6 Japan's Three Famous Bridges: Kintai Bridge

Kintai Bridge, one of the most famous landmarks in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is one of the "Three Famous Bridges in Japan" with five beautiful wooden arches spanning the Nishiki River.

In addition to the beauty of the bridge itself, the openness of the riverside and the ease of walking in the surrounding sightseeing area are also attractive, and in a sense, visitors can enjoy "THE Japanese sightseeing spot," which is precious in this day and age!

By the way, a toll of310 yen is required to cross the Kintai Bridge , and it is free if you just want to look at it. ..... If you come all the way here, I recommend you to cross the bridge.

One point advice from a Sasu rider

When sightseeing at Kintai Bridge, it is recommended to park your motorcycle in the space for motorcycles at "Yokoyama Riverside Sports Plaza"! It is a very famous sightseeing spot, but you can park for free!

And speaking of Kintai Bridge, please visit ..... The modern version of Musashi vs. Kojiro, "Japan's No. 1 Soft Ice Cream Musashi" and "Sasakiya Kojiro Shoten" are famous for their soft ice cream battle, and both offer an unusual variety of soft ice cream. .... You can fulfill your rider's duty until you feel like it (?)

7 Spectacular view spot: Susa Hornfels

Susa Hornfels is a spectacular spot with cliffs created by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan and a unique rock surface that looks like black and white stripes.

The unique terrain was formed by the effects of magma heat about 15 million years ago. A 500-meter promenade leading from the parking lot takes you to the bottom of the cliffs (watch your step). There is no admission fee, so take your time and observe the mysteries of nature!

One Point Advice for Sasu Riders

Free parking is available at the start of the Susa Hornfels boardwalk, and there is also a store and public restrooms. Naturally, the footing conditions near the rocky area are not good, so we recommend walking carefully, especially if you are wearing riding boots or other shoes that are difficult to walk in. In addition, if you have prepared shoes for walking around the sights, it is best to change into them before proceeding along the promenade (having shoes for walking around is very convenient).

8 Gourmet Spot: Karato Market

Karato Market is a very popular tourist market where visitors can buy fugu (blowfish) and other seasonal seafood from Shimonoseki. Fresh seafood purchased in the bustling market can be eaten directly in the rest area or in the surrounding sea-viewing park. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, a " sushi battle" is held, where fish caught that day are served as nigiri or in bowls! Anyway, if you want to eat delicious food in Shimonoseki, this is the first place you should stop by! If you want to eat something delicious in Shimonoseki, this is the first place you should stop by. There is also an aquarium " Kaiyokan " nearby, which was recently renovated in 2025 (.....).

One Point Advice for Sasu Riders

The Karato Market is the place to be! Shimonoseki's specialty "fugu" (blowfish), also known locally as "fuku" (blowfish). You can get fresh, plump sashimi at reasonable prices only at the market, and since it is a high-end product, it is not something you can usually eat. ..... You should take advantage of this opportunity to consume as much as you like! Free parking is available for bikes and bicycles, but it is recommended to park early as it gets crowded especially on weekends.

9 Local gourmet: KAWARA-Soba

The impact of its appearance alone is too strong! KAWARA-SOBA" is a local delicacy representing Yamaguchi Prefecture.

It is a gourmet dish of great originality, consisting of green tea soba noodles, egg, beef, and condiments on a hot kawara tile, served in warm broth. The combination of crispy fried rice and the aroma of green tea soba is addictive!

It is not as heavy as it looks, but has a moderate volume, and above all, it is full of local flavor! ..... This is the very definition of "this is a local delicacy".

One point of advice for Sasu riders

Image Exhibit: Kawatana Onsen Onsen Ganso Tile Soba Takase

If you want to eat Tile Soba, I personally recommend the following restaurants: First, " Ganso Tile Soba Takase " on the high road, famous as the birthplace of Tile S oba! Then, " Tile Soba Yanagiya " and " Choshuya " are also recommended stores. All three are chain stores with only a few outlets, but they are easy to incorporate into your touring route.

10 Onsen (hot spring): Yuda Onsen

Yuda Onsen is a very reliable place to end the day after a full day of driving in Yamaguchi Prefecture or as a rest spot.

This hot spring resort is based on the "Legend of the White Fox," in which a white fox is said to have healed a wound about 800 years ago, and cute white fox objet d'art are placed throughout the spa town!

Incidentally, this is an urban-type hot spring resort located in Yamaguchi City, and it is really suitable for touring, where you can casually enjoy a day trip to the spa or a footbath without staying overnight!

One point of advice from a Sasu rider

Image Exhibit: Onsen-no-mori

For a day trip to Yuda Onsen, we recommend Onsen-no-mori, which looks like a health spa and is easy to stop by on your bike with a parking lot. In addition to a large bath and open-air bath, there is a sauna, a bedrock bath, a cafeteria, a manga corner, table tennis, and other health spa-like facilities, so you may end up staying longer than you intended while taking a break from touring. ..... Incidentally, rental towels are included in the 1,000 yen bathing fee, and body soap and rinse-in shampoo are available in the bathhouse, so there is no problem even if you suddenly decide to go empty-handed.

Yamaguchi Prefecture offers a full touring experience!

Yamaguchi Prefecture has "places where the road itself becomes the destination," such as the Akiyoshidai Karst Road, and also offers high-impact scenery such as the Kakushima Ohashi Bridge and Motonosumi Shrine, as well as spots where you can soak up the sense of arrival, such as Bishanohana. ..... Then there is Kintai Bridge and Hagi Castle Town, where you can experience history, take a break at Yuda Onsen Hot Spring, and fill your stomach at Karato Market and KAWARA-Soba. ....

In other words, when you visit Yamaguchi Prefecture, you can enjoy a full course of touring, complete with roads, scenery, history, hot springs, and gourmet food!

Of course, it's not easy to visit all of these places in a day, so we recommend you to stay overnight if possible. ..... If you can, spend one night, two nights if possible, or even three nights if possible, and enjoy Yamaguchi Prefecture with your car.