Chugoku&Shikoku 5 Days Itinerary-A

９：００

Although it depends on the departure point, the mileage is very long, up to 290km including the expressway, so it is recommended to start as soon as possible. Also, since the highlights are concentrated on the Sea of Japan side in the latter half, please move quickly on the expressway (E2A, E27, E72) in the first half.

If your departure is later in the afternoon, please consider staying overnight.

１２：３０

The first destination is [Izushi Castle Town]. You drive about 150-200km on the expressway. For a long-distance drive, take a break in the parking area along the way. Izushi Castle Town has about 50 Izushi soba restaurants in the old streets and is ideal for lunch.

１４：００

When you arrive at the Sea of Japan, you will drive along the sea for about 60km to Uradome Coast. The scenery has been certified as a UNESCO San’in Kaigan Geopark and it is the best! This is one of the highlights of the day.
The car navigation system guides you to drive on Route 178 and the expressway on the mountainside, but we recommend that you drive to a scenic spot along the sea via “Al Mare”, which is included in our Drive Map if time permits.

You will arrive at [Uradome Coast], so if you are confident in your walking, please go down to Kamogaiso Beach. The scenery of the sea, carved granite, and pine trees is a must-see.

Only 1 km west from Kamogaiso beach, there is also recommended spot [Sengan Matsushima].
It is also worth to visit. The pass to there is complicated. Please refer small map from Driving map.

１７：１５

Tottori is just around the corner. The last spot today is Tottori Sand Dunes, which is synonymous with Tottori Prefecture.

If you arrive after it gets dark, you may want to go to the dunes the next day. The sunset over the dunes is very beautiful, so if you can make it, head for it.

１８：３０

On this day you will stay in Tottori.
Many restaurants are on the north side of Tottori Station, so we recommend the hotel on that side.
Tottori’s specialties are rock oysters in the summer and crab soup in the winter. In fact, Tottori Prefecture has the highest consumption of curry in Japan, and the citizens of Tottori love curry. Delicious curry is also recommended.

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The mileage is about 150km, which is standard, and there are so many things to see. So if you want to stop by at many spots, we recommend that you start early.

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If you drive for about an hour from Tottori, you will find [Kurayoshi Shirakabe Storehouses town]. You can enjoy a walk in the nice atmosphere of the old storehouses. Lunch here is also a good idea as there are many restaurants.

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Tottori is famous for the production of high-quality pears. At this Museum, you can learn and eat very delicious pears

１３：３０

You will then head towards Daisen. [Kagikake Pass Observatory] is the most recommended observatory in Daisen. Especially the autumn leaves in the fall are wonderful. We recommend that you visit there.

１５：００

The most recommended site of the day is [Adachi Museum of Art]. It has been selected as No. 1 in the American Japanese garden magazine since 2003, and its beauty is superb. This is a must-see even for those who are not interested in gardens.
The collection of Taikan Yokoyama, a major Japanese painter, is also worth seeing.

１６：３０

If you can arrive in Matsue city before the sun sets, stop by the best spot of the setting sun [Lake Shinji] before heading to the hotel.

１７：１０
On this day you will stay in Matsue.
Matsue’s specialties include Taimesi (rice with minced sea bream), Izumo soba, and Shijimidon (freshwater clam bowl) at Lake Shinji.

９：００

The mileage is about 210km, and it is a day with many spectacular sightseeing spots such as Matsue Castle, Izumo Taisha Shrine, and Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine village.
Especially, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine village can be very time-consuming, so early morning departure is highly recommended.

９：１０

First thing in the morning, go to Matsue Castle, the symbol of Matsue. It is a wonderful castle known as the original castle tower.

１１：１０

It takes about 1 hour from Matsue to arrive at [Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine].
Along with Ise Jingu, it is the most important shrine in Japan. This is the biggest attraction in the Sanin region and is an overwhelming sight.

Inasa Beach located only 1km west from the shrine is also nice to visit.

１３：４５

If you drive from Izumo on the expressway (E9) for about 50km for about 1 hour, you will reach the World Heritage Site [Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine village].

The following parking lots are recommended.
①2nd Free Parking
MAPCODE: 599 144 182*37
②1st Free Parking
MAPCODE: 599 113 262*56

Please refer Google town map below.

When you hear the word “silver mine”, you might think of a mine shaft, but in reality, the mine shaft itself is short, and it has no special features and is not recommended. In addition, you will need to walk or cycle a 4km round trip from the parking lot to the mine shaft!
The town of Omori at the foot of the mountain is worth seeing. You can enjoy a stroll through the mansion with the hidden storehouse used for silver trading and the wonderful townscape. We also recommend lunch at a cafe that has been renovated from an old folk house.

１７：４０
On this day you will stay in Hiroshima.
Speaking of Hiroshima gourmet, Okonomiyaki and oysters are famous. We recommend that you try both.

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The mileage is 200km, so it is recommended to leave by 9 o’clock. Also, save time by using the expressway (E2) on the way. If you haven’t visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, it is recommended to visit before you depart Hiroshima.

１０：００

The next place to visit is [Senkoji Temple] in Onomichi City. Senkoji Temple is located on a hill at an altitude of 140m and from the precincts, you can see the city, Onomichi Port, and the Onomichi Channel where ships come and go.

１３：００

After leaving Senkoji Temple, head to Tomonoura, which is known as a location for various movies. It is one of the most scenic spots in the Seto Inland Sea and is dotted with places related to Ryoma Sakamoto, a famous person in Japanese history.

In Tomonoura, please stop by [Homeishu Store] while enjoying a walk in a narrow alley. Beginning with medicinal liquor made by soaking 16 kinds of herbs, the unique flavor becomes addictive.

１５：１５

You will stay in Kurashiki on this day.
In Kurashiki, hotels are concentrated between Kurashiki Station and the Bikan Historical Quarter, but it is recommended to stay as close to the Historical Quarter as possible. Enjoy a fantastic night walk in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Also enjoy local gourmet food such as Takomeshi.

Your last visit on this day is [Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter].
Traditional white-walled buildings, quaint Kurashiki River, willows, and bridges harmonize beautifully, leaving the beauty of a good old Japanese town and making you want to walk for hours. In addition, it is a town full of various attractions such as the Ohara Museum of Art.

The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is an overwhelmingly spectacular place among the many old townscapes in Japan. However, many shops close around 17:00, so if you want to spend more time in Kurashiki, make sure to arrive by around 14:00.

９：００
Driving mileage is very long, more than 230km so it is recommended to leave by about 8 o’clock or at the latest around 9 o’clock. Please also take the expressway along the way to save time.
The following itinerary is for reference only. Please plan your schedule according to your car return location and your schedule.

９：４０

After leaving Kurashiki, head to [Korakuen Garden & Okayama Castle]. Korakuen Garden is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan along with [Kenrokuen garden] in Kanazawa and [Kairakuen garden] in Mito. You can see Okayama Castle from the splendid Japanese garden.

The flowers of Korakuen Garden are beautiful, especially during the cherry blossoms (late March-early April) and autumn leaves (mid-November-early December) are recommended.

[Okayama Castle] has a black appearance and is also called a Karasu (crow) castle, and is sometimes contrasted with Himeji Castle (Shirasagi Castle), which has a white appearance. You will go to Himeji Castle after Okazaki Castle, so it may be interesting to compare the appearance of both.

１２：３０
We would definitely recommend “Kakioko” for lunch on this day! Kakioko is Okonomiyaki(savory Japanese pancake dish) that has oysters in it. Tamachan is the most famous Kakioko restaurant but you will have to wait long queue. If you visit on the weekend or on holiday, please refer driving map and consider other restaurants.

１４：４５
Next, take the expressway (E2) to [Himeji Castle]. The castle was registered as first World Heritage in Japan and, is the biggest highlight of the day. The cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle have also been selected as one of the “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan” and are visited by a large number of people from late March to early April.

If time permits, we also recommend the Kokoen Garden located on the west side of Himeji Castle. Kokoen is a Japanese garden with a view of Himeji Castle. It is often used as a location for Japanese historical drama.

１８：００

Your last stop on this day is [Mt. Rokko (Garden Terrace)] on Mt. Rokko in Kobe. Use the expressway (E2) for this section as well.

This is famous as one of Japan’s three major night views, and the vast night view from Kobe to Osaka along Osaka Bay is beautiful.

The distance and time from the observatory to the goal are as follows.
Umeda (Osaka) Station: 40km / 70 minutes
Shin-Osaka Station: 40km / 70 minutes
Kyoto Station: 80km / 80 minutes
Kansai International Airport: 80km / 90 minutes

①Returning a car in Osaka or Kyoto
When you return to Osaka or Kyoto, refuel and then return the car to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest rental car stores and gas stations near Osaka Station or Kyoto.
Traffic jams often occur in Osaka and Kyoto because they are both large cities. Be sure to return your car with plenty of time to spare.

Osaka and Kyoto offers a wide variety of culinary delights! For dinner, try Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and other local food.

②Returning a car at Kansai Airport
When heading to Kansai airport, the distance from Osaka station is about 75 km, about 1.5 hour by expressway(5&4). Make sure you arrive at the car rental company branch 2 hours before your flight.

Additionally, there are no gas stations on the Kansai International Airport island. If you do not have enough time before your flight, we strongly recommend that you head to the airport and settle the missing gasoline bill at a rental car branch instead of trying to force yourself to refuel.