4.5Atomic Bomb Dome(6.016 reviews) - This building is powerful to put the words in adjoining museum into reality Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites
This skeleton of a building is all that remains in the area where the first atomic bomb exploded on August 6, 1945, and serves as a symbol of both the horrors of atomic war and the hope for world peace.See more..
4.5Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park(3.685 reviews) - A beautiful place, and emotional Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
I took a tour through this part with a nationally licensed tour guide (which I recommend) who helped me understand the city in a deeper way. We walked from Ground Zero, past the Dome and through the park. It was a powerful experience. In the park, I was honored to be approached by multiple groups of local school children who asked us to join their prayers for world peace. It was a very poignant moment juxtaposing the future and the past.See more..
4.5Itsukushima Shrine(3.510 reviews) - 1 of the 3 iconic Japan not to miss Sunday: 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Religious Sites
The famous shrine built on stilts with its torii gate set in the sea.See more..
4.5Matsue Castle(1.516 reviews) - Epic Castle and one of my favorites! Sunday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles
Matsue symbol Matsue Castle is said to be one of the national treasures and one of the only orthodox towers among the 12 towers that exist throughout the country. Matsue Castle can be proud, please enjoy.See more..
4.5Itsukushima Shrine Torii(542 reviews) - What a famous site Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
As we arrived on the island by ferry the first thing you see is the magnificent red Tori Gate. When we got here the tide was out so you can walk right up to this amazing wooden icon of Japan. When you stand beside it the sheer size of it strikes home , made from huge trunks of the camphor tree that apparently last indefinitely. Later in the day the tide came in and then like the shrine it appears to be floating in the ocean. When in Japan this is a sight you must experienceSee more..
4.0Iwakuni Castle(386 reviews) - Great views - some interesting displays Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles
Although a reconstructed castle, it was interesting to visit. Lovely peaceful hill setting, great views of the city and Inland Sea and some good displays of weaponry including swords and old guns, and some armour. There is also a good selection of photos of other Japanese castles, both National Treasures and reconstructions.See more..
4.0Shokasonjuku Academy(344 reviews) - Academy of only three tatami mats Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
In the same property with Shouin-Temple, there is a wooden residence and academy of the mentor "Shouin Yoshida". You will be shocked to see the size of the academy. So tiny! But there, Shouin studied and discussed futures of Japan with many of his followers (students) who became reformers of Modern Japan. See more..
4.5Former Taisha Station(342 reviews) - Time Travel Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
A beautiful wooden station building designated as an important cultural property of the country. Interiors and railway goods with high historical value are worth seeing as well as railway fans.See more..
4.5Bitchu Matsuyama Castle(308 reviews) - Loved this Castle and Sanjuro Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is considered the highest castle above sea level in Japan. This castle is one of the originals and well worth a visit. There is a parking lot before the castle. Unfortunately visitors must either walk the road up or take a shuttle which is 400 Yen, I chose to walk the road, it was not that long and pretty easy. I really liked this castle, it's smaller then others. I found it unique how the builders used the environment (hills and rocks) to construct the castle, it's evident how this was done. I recommend the small fee to enter the castle. We are cat lovers so the highlight for us was Sanjuro, the cat. He made his way up here due to flooding in the area years ago and has been the local mascot since, so cute!See more..
4.0Hagi Castle Town(307 reviews) - Beautiful ancient town formerly ruled by Mori lords & their samurai Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
This little place has five World Heritage sites. This castle town prospered from 1603 to 1867 (the Edo period), when it was the capital of the Mori Clan. With the aid of their samurai, the Mori lords ruled Yamaguchi Prefecture (formerly known as the Choshu Domain). The castle town remains a preserved samurai district. Many of the residences of samurai, tradespeople and merchants, sculptures, earth walls, alleyways, gates, and streets have been well-maintained and are said to be in the same condition and architectural design as they were hundreds of years ago. Hagi is also known for its Hagiyaki pottery production, which began at the beginning of the Edo period when distinguished pottery makers were brought in from Korea. The Hagi Castle which was built in 1604, was destroyed in the latter half of the 19th century; only remains exist today. Hagi Castle Town is also famous for being the birthplace of many Prime Ministers and statesmen of Japan.See more..
4.0Tsunoshima Lighthouse Park(197 reviews) - Historic Lighthouse in nice setting Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
We came here on a organised tour and it was a pleasure to view and visit this lovely lighthouse built in 1876. Built with lovely carved stone it is set in front of a unique garden setting next to the ocean. Cost 300 yen to enter, about 200 steps to the top where you will have lovely views. I think it is about 26 metres high and about 45 metres above sea level. Not much info in English. It's light is visible for about 29 nautical miles. Next to it is a museum which is worth visiting, inside is part of the light keepers old brick residence. I found it interesting that the first lightkeeper was English. Worth a visit when in the areaSee more..
4.0Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park)(184 reviews) - Nice usually and wonderful during Sakura Historic Sites • Castles • Parks
The remnants of a big fortress are a fun and free walk. It's a good place to have a picnic, overlooking the city and the mountains. During Sakura, this is one of the more famous places in Western Japan to see the trees as it is covered in cherry blossoms. Highly recommended, but if you want a nice place to picnic you must get there early (and stay after dark for some more cool pictures as it's lit up, just bring a tripod!)See more..
4.0Yonago Castle Ruins(147 reviews) - The Views are Worth it! Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
The Yonago Castle Ruins are not to be missed. I found that there was not to much to do in Yonago, but this is well worth exploring. There is a parking lot at the base, and several different hiking trails to the ruins, all were fairly easy. Once at the top you get incredible views of the city of Yonago, the sea, and Mt. Daisen. I bet it would be beautiful here during sun rise and sun set. The ruins itself are pretty impressive, it must have been a huge complex. Definitely, come here for the views!See more..
4.0Tottori Castle Ruins(144 reviews) - Historical site of Tottori Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
This ruin was once a mountain castle built on Kyushozan mountain (久松山) in 16th century,. It is a National Historic site. It was a stage of infamous 'Starving to Submission', siege by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who cut off all the supplies to the castle. Nice hike up to the mountain and beautiful sight from the top.See more..
There are many things to see and do in the castle area walkway, including bridges and moats, museums (the Tanabe Art Museum), the Meimei-an historic tea house and samurai residence (buke yashiki)See more..
This place is not quite a tourist spot. The site is a training school for JMSDF so there's no walking around separated from the group. This includes the urgent business when nature calls, so finish it all in the toilet at the waiting room before the tour begins. Also most importantly the "museum" building is also a shrine, so there are rules such as no taking pictures inside. Since we're talking about Japanese war museum, it's best if you keep the history and sentiments out and just enjoy the ride. If you keep thinking about war atrocities likely this is not the place for you. Registration is done half hour before the tour begin at the car entrance's security post. The main gate is for boat only. The tour is also only done in Japanese and he guide talks quite fast. See more..
4.5Old Shizutani School(107 reviews) - Stunning architecture in serenity Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
After the April crowds in Kyoto, it was a breath of fresh air to visit beautifully maintained Shizutani school with few other visitors. The gate keeper was friendly and provided an English pamphlet with detailed information. The Bizen pottery roof tiles, curved stone wall and stunning zelkova joinery suit the site perfectly and it's a delight to tread softly around the old Confucian classrooms and imagine lessons in 1670- "the oldest existing public school in the world".See more..
4.0Jinpu-kaku Hall(105 reviews) - A surprise Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Nifukaku is a French Renaissance Western-style building in Tottori city, Tottori Prefecture. Renowned as one of the leading Meiji region buildings in the Chugoku region, it is designated as an important cultural asset of the country on June 2, 1973. In 1907, the former residence of former royal prince Kahito 王, a former residence of the former Tottori 藩 lord Ikeda Nakahiro, built on the fan palace of Tottori Castle ruins, as an accommodation facility at the time of San'in line enlightenment.See more..
4.0Ohashi House(102 reviews) - Historical house: A gem to visit Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites
We saw the signage along the road and followed it to Ohashi House. This old historical house is preserved for all to see, for a small entry fee. Explore the gardens and interior. It is beautifully preserved and a genuine gem.See more..
4.5Tsuwano Castle(86 reviews) - Great views Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
I took the 5 minute fairly basic chair lift (¥700 round trip or ¥400 one way) up the hill – it is quite close to ground for most of the way. As it was later in the afternoon, the staff on the chair lift helpfully advised the time to return by to get back down. I then walked another 15-20 minutes (some of the hilly/rocky path was being rebuilt in 2019) to the ruins (free to enter) where you can get great views of Tsuwano and the Takatsu river valley and of course remnants of the castle foundations as the remaining castle keep was demolished in 1878. (It takes about 30 minutes to walk up to the lower station of the chair lift through the shrine and torii gates from Tsuwano Station.)See more..
4.0Fukiya Furusato Village(77 reviews) - Nice place to stroll around and take a rest Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Fukiya Furusato Village is a small village which flourished by producing red iron oxide about 150 years ago and the buildings are preseved since then.There are some souvenir shops and restaurants .Sometimes you can taste some local food for free.Not so much to see for locals but it will be quite nice for foreigners to see the Japanese traditional village.See more..
