Start of the “Sightseeing Bus” tour

Hustle up a spectacular view

On December 8 (Sat), the first bus tour of the " Sights to See and Enjoy" bus tour of Nagato City and Shimonoseki City was held.

In this issue, we report on this tour, which hiked to Motonosumi Shrine in Nagato City and Kakunoshima Ohashi Bridge in Shimonoseki City, two of the most scenic spots in the two cities.

No Fatigue" to Nagato City

At 12:18 p.m., the San-in sightseeing train "◯◯◯ no hanashi (◯◯◯ no hanashi) " appeared at Nagato City Station, the departure point of the bus. Participants from Shimonoseki City and Kyushu area got off at Nagato City on this train connecting Shimonoseki City, Nagato City, and Hagi City.

Car 2, which features a Western-style interior, is reserved for the participants of this tour.

Board at Shin-Shimonoseki Station (9:59 a.m.) or Shimonoseki Station (10:21 a.m.) for a 2-hour sightseeing train ride into Nagato City.

On this day, when the temperature dropped so low that light snow flurried, a special "Yuzukichinade" made with Nagato Yuzukichi, a citrus fruit, was served at the station. After enjoying the drink that warmed their bodies and souls, the group boarded the bus.

This tour offers a choice of a course that uses both the sightseeing train "◯◯ no hanashi" and bus, or a course that uses only the bus. The bus-only participants joined the bus tour in front of the station and began their journey to the most spectacular scenery.

Senza Kitchen, a roadside station opened this year

Only about 5 minutes from Nagato City Station.

The first place we arrived at was Senza Kitchen, a roadside station that had its grand opening this April.

The direct sales shop, with its impressive interior decorated with plenty of wood, offers a wide variety of fresh sea and mountain produce, as well as various processed products and sweets.

Especially popular was the "Yakitori" available at the "Senzaki Bar" food court.

People enjoyed buying souvenirs and tasting Nagato City's specialties on the spot. Some returned to the bus with bread from a fashionable bakery or coffee from a café.

Passing through 123 torii gates

After driving along the coast and over mountains, the first spectacular view that comes into view is Motonosumi Shrine.

A spectacular view of the 123 torii gates is on display.

Passing through a series of torii (gateways) over 100 meters long, one heads for the 6-meter-high Otorii (grand gateway).

At the top of the Otorii gate is a money-offering box that is often described as "the hardest to put in in Japan.

As we entered the spectacular structure, the surrounding tourists cheered, creating a strange sense of unity in front of the Otorii gate.

After visiting the shrine, we took pictures of the contrast between the Japan Sea and the torii gate, which is often seen in tourist pamphlets and magazines. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast, but the vermilion color of the torii gate looked even better.

We also stopped by the Motonosumi Shop, which opened in April of this year, to enjoy some shopping before boarding the bus again.

From the bus window on the way to Shimonoseki City, we could also see "Ryugu no Siofuki," seawater spouting up from the reefs. The mystical sight caused a murmur of amazement in the bus.

Across the 1,780-meter bridge

From Motonosumi Shrine, it is about a 40-minute drive along the coast.

After crossing the 1,780-meter Kakunoshima Bridge, which connects Honshu and Kakunoshima, the goal is the Kakunoshima Lighthouse at the end of the island.

Installed in 1876, this historic lighthouse is 29.6 meters high.

Gradually, blue skies peeked out from between thick clouds, and participants enjoyed walking around the lighthouse in the sunshine.

The nation's No. 1 roadside station "Kitaura-kaido Toyokita".

The last stop on the trip was the roadside station "Kitaura Kaido Hohoku (北浦街道豊北).

In addition to a direct sales counter featuring seafood from the Sea of Japan and other local vegetables and fruits, there is also a restaurant where you can taste fresh fish from Kitaura and a bakery where you can enjoy bread made from local ingredients, allowing you to enjoy a rich variety of "food" at this facility.

Selected by travel lovers' reviews on TripAdvisor, a travel review site! It is also known as the roadside station that won first place in the "Roadside Station Ranking 2018.

Another attraction is the view of the "Kakunoshima Ohashi Bridge" from the observation terrace.

Participants spent time reflecting on the day, saying, "I can't believe how far we've come."

The sun is gradually beginning to set, just after 4:00 p.m.

Everyone returning to Shin-Shimonoseki Station or Shimonoseki Station on the "◯◯◯ no hanashi" sightseeing train will get off the bus at Takibe Station.

Those returning to Nagato City or staying overnight got off the bus at the Nagato Yumoto Onsen Entrance bus stop and Nagato City Station.

This bus tour, packed with "highlights," will be held on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month until February next year. Participation is by advance reservation only. For details and reservation status, please refer to the " Sightseeing Bus (Nanavi) " page.

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Related Links

Sightseeing bus (Nanavi)

Roadside Station Senza Kitchen

Motonosumi Shrine

Roadside Station Kitaura Kaido Toyokita