Chugoku region is located at the most western part of mainland Japan, and it consists of 5 prefectures; Okayama, Tottori, Shimane, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. Probably the foreign tourists will only head for Hiroshima however, there are so many attractive sites to visit in other prefectures, too.
There is a mountain range and this separates the region into two main parts. One is on the Japan Sea side, and the other is on Seto inland sea side. Japan Sea side is a great producer of Seafood, while Seto inland sea side is more industrial area.
The region’s name, Chugoku, is also interesting if you understand Japanese. The word Chugoku in Japanese usually means China, a country’s name. This is said to be because the area was relatively close to Kyoto, so that they have called this area as countries in the middle, which is exactly the same way people named the country China.
World Heritage site
Itsukushima shrine (厳島神社)
The most famous touristic and visited spot in Chugoku area. The red Torii gate seems like they are floating in the ocean when it is a time of high tide, so visit during the time of high-tide if you would like to see at the best timing. The Shrine has a long history, probably from the 6th century. The Shrine has like a port facility; people were not allowed to set foot and had to approach the Torii gate by a boat. The Shrine still has Japanese traditional play Noh stage.
Hiroshima peace memorial (原爆ドーム)
Hiroshima is also known for a sad history of atomic bomb. The atomic bomb was dropped on 6 August, 1945, which has ended World War 2. The bomb has burnt so many people just within a second, with one survey saying nearly 150,000 people were killed.
Iwami ginzan silver mine (石見銀山)
This UNESCO World Heritage site is in Shimane prefecture. It is said that Japan used to produce one third of all the silver in the world, and this silver mine was the biggest of all in Japan. After depleting silver, copper was mined and then it was closed permanently.
There are few temples on the way to the mine, to console the spirits of people who have died in the mine, along with some Japanese traditional houses.
Hagi, as a Site of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution (萩、明治日本の産業革命遺産)
Hagi is an attractive city in Yamaguchi prefecture, and the city itself has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Yamaguchi has played an important role in destroying Edo Shogunate and in establishing new Meiji government. This is the reason why we still have so many Prime Ministers whose origin is from this small prefecture.
Politicians in Hagi have discussed how to establish the new government, and these monuments are now conserved as the site.
National Parks
Seto inland sea (瀬戸内海国立公園) and Sanin Coast (山陰海岸)
Daisen (大山) is the highest mountain in Chugoku region and because of its beautiful shape, it is also called as Hoki Fuji (伯耆富士). The area has hot springs and farms, this enables a whole family to enjoy their day.
Oki is a name of the remote islands which also belong to Tottori prefecture. They are floating on the Japan Sea, and the names were seen in Japanese history, because the noble people were sent to these islands to isolate them from politics.
Advice for Muslims
Hiroshima is the most famous destination in Chugoku area, so that the travel would not be that difficult there. However, other destinations, especially Shimane and Yamaguchi, could be a bit hard for the first-timers to Japan. If you are planning to go to the country side in the region, be well-prepared for the restaurants and necessities.
Muslim friendly local food
- Mamakari (ままかり), Okayama
- Dondorokoe meshi (どんどろけ飯), Tottori
- Uzume meshi (うずめ飯), Shimane
- Oyster Dotenabe (牡蠣の土手鍋), Hiroshima
- Fuku blow fish Sashimi (ふく刺), Yamaguchi
How is the Access?
From Tokyo
The area has some of the small domestic airports, however, many of the visitors will be arriving at Osaka first, and then take a train or Shinkansen bullet train to reach the destination, which is usually more convenient than going to airports.
From Osaka
Take Shinkansen bullet train.
Within the area
If you are going to the capital in other prefectures, then taking Shinkansen will be very convenient. However, apart from the transportation between cities, driving a car would be the most convenient way to move.