No Car Needed! Explore Yamaguchi’s Coastal Sights with a Bus Tour

If you want to enjoy Yamaguchi’s beautiful coastline during your Hiroshima trip but prefer not to rent a car, the Fuku's Journey: Yamaguchi Explorer (Fuku no Tabi) bus tour is a great choice. 

Many of the region’s highlights, such as the cliffside torii gates at Motonosumi Shrine and the Tsunoshima Bridge, are difficult to reach by train. This day-trip tour connects these remote spots into one convenient route, so you can relax and let someone else handle the driving. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how to ride the Fuku's Journey: Yamaguchi Explorer bus, where to board, what to expect along the route, and how to make the most of Nagato Yumoto Onsen if you decide to continue your trip from there.

Boarding the Tour Bus

Your journey starts at Shin-Yamaguchi Station, the main transport hub in southern Yamaguchi. If you are coming from Hiroshima, simply take the Shinkansen from Hiroshima Station to Shin-Yamaguchi (about 35 minutes).

Once you arrive, follow the station signs to the bus area and head to the designated bus stop. The bus for Akiyoshido departs at 9:20 AM, so aim to arrive at least 20–30 minutes early to buy snacks, use the restroom, and find the correct stop without rushing.

Note: The bus timetable and departure times listed in this guide are based on the 2026 operating schedule.

The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary: Subterranean Caves and Coastal Wonders

After you get on the bus, the route takes you from inland plateaus to the northern coast, with stops at scenic natural spots and a Kawara Soba lunch at a local restaurant. 

Morning: Exploring Akiyoshido Cave

The first stop is Akiyoshido Cave, one of Japan’s largest limestone caverns. Located 100 meters underground in Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, its rock formations are estimated to be around 350 million years old.

You’ll have 60 minutes to follow the paved paths through the cave and admire the dramatic limestone features. The temperature stays pleasantly cool all year, making it a comfortable walk in any season. After exploring, the tour stops for lunch at Yasutomiya, where you’ll try Kawara Soba—a local specialty of green tea noodles cooked on a hot roof tile and topped with beef, egg, and green onions.

Mid-Day: Driving Across Tsunoshima Bridge

Next, the bus heads to the coast to visit Tsunoshima Bridge. This 1,780-meter bridge is one of Japan’s longest toll-free bridges, connecting the mainland to Tsunoshima Island over bright blue water and white sandy seabeds.

You’ll stop for 20 minutes at Amagase Park, which has a great viewpoint for photos of the bridge and sea. If you come back on your own and have more time, you can also visit Tsunoshima Lighthouse or take part in water activities such as kayaking.

Afternoon: Motonosumi Shrine

The tour then continues along the northern coast to Motonosumi-jinja Shrine in Nagato City, famous for its 123 bright red torii gates that line the cliffside down toward the Sea of Japan. The shrine was first built in 1955 by local fisherman Hitoshi Okamura and has since gained international attention, even being featured by CNN as one of Japan’s 31 most beautiful places.

During the 20-minute stop, you’ll have just enough time to walk through the torii tunnel, take photos of the coastline, and visit the shrine office. Here, you can receive a special goshuin (shrine stamp) with a white fox design. You can choose one of ten themes, such as prosperity or victory, then write the date of your visit using the pens provided at the counter. A small offering of around 500 yen is customary, so it’s helpful to have some coins ready.

Before you leave, be sure to check out the Dragon Spout (ryuga-no-shiofuki) near the entrance. This natural blowhole sends seawater high into the air when the waves are strong.

Late Afternoon: Shopping and Return

The last stop before heading back is Kaisenmura Kitanagato, a big local market. You’ll have 20 minutes to shop for souvenirs like fresh seafood, local sake, and Yamaguchi’s well-known kamaboko (fish cakes).

After shopping, the bus will drop you off at JR Nagato City Station at 4:00 PM and Nagato Yumoto Onsen at 4:15 PM. If you’re returning to where you started, you’ll stay on the bus and ride back to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, arriving at 5:30 PM to wrap up your day trip.

Upgrading the Experience: Overnight at Nagato Yumoto Onsen

If you want to stay longer on the coast, you can get off the tour early at Nagato Yumoto Onsen. This option also lowers the adult tour price from ¥11,800 to ¥10,800.

Nagato Yumoto Onsen is the oldest hot spring resort in the area, with a 600-year history. The town was renovated in 2020 to make walking easier, especially near the Otozure River. You can relax at Onto, a historic bathhouse built right over the natural hot spring.

Nagato Yumoto Onsen has many small, independent cafes and restaurants to explore. Stop by Kawara Soba Yanagiya to try the local specialty: green tea noodles served on a hot roof tile and topped with beef, egg, and fresh Nagato green onions, plus sweets like baked mitarashi dango. For a relaxed break by the river, head to engawa CAFE, a rental space cafe offering coffee, ice bars, and baked treats. Beer lovers can visit the 365+1 BEER taproom, where craft beers such as pale ales, IPAs, and Belgian-style whites are brewed right in the hot spring town. 

Exploring Roadside Station Senza Kitchen

If you spend the night in Nagato, be sure to visit Roadside Station Senza Kitchen on the Senzaki coast. Senza Kitchen is one of the biggest roadside stations in Yamaguchi. Located right by the sea, it serves as a central hub for local food, sightseeing, and relaxation.

At the heart of Senza Kitchen, the main market is a lively hub for locals and travelers alike. You can buy freshly caught seafood from the nearby Sea of Japan, locally harvested vegetables, and the area’s well-known local chicken. Producers sell many items directly and clearly label where each product comes from, so you can shop with confidence. Ready-made deli dishes and take-home ingredients make it easy to stock up for your stay or your next destination.

If you want to eat on-site, you have several options. At the on-site Grill House barbecue corner, you choose your favorite meat, seafood, and vegetables from the market and grill them yourself. If you prefer a sit-down meal, you can pick from more than a dozen eateries, including seafood restaurants, ramen and sushi shops, a yakitori stand, LaLa Bakery, and TAKADA COFFEE. You’ll find plenty to enjoy before moving on.

Return to Shin-Yamaguchi Station

When you’re ready to head back, the most convenient way to return from Nagato to JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station is the direct shared taxi service operated by Fuji Daiichi Kotsu. This nine-passenger taxi lets you avoid multiple train transfers and travel more comfortably with your luggage.

From Roadside Station Senza Kitchen, there are four daily departures to the Shin-Yamaguchi Station North Exit:

• Departs 9:30 (Arrives at 11:00)
• Departs 11:15 (Arrives at 12:45)
• Departs 13:45 (Arrives at 15:15)
• Departs 15:25 (Arrives at 16:55)

If you plan to explore more of Nagato before leaving, you don’t have to return to Senza Kitchen to catch the taxi. The same shared service also picks up passengers at:

• JR Nagato-shi Station
• Nagato City Hall
• Fuji Kotsu Office
• Nagato Yumoto Onsen

From these points, the taxi goes directly to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, where you can easily connect to the Shinkansen.

How to Book Your Tour

You can reserve a seat either online or by contacting the JTB Yamaguchi Branch during business hours.

If you reserve your tour at least two months in advance, you’ll receive an exclusive “Fukudaruma” keychain as a special gift when you board (one per person).

Book your tour here 

FAQ

Is one day enough to see these spots using the bus tour?

Yes. The tour is timed to ensure you see Akiyoshido, Tsunoshima, and Motonosumi Shrine efficiently within a single day.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, the tour conductors are equipped with translation devices to assist English-speaking passengers and those speaking Chinese and Korean.

What happens to the itinerary if the weather is bad?

In the event of severe weather or strong winds, access to the Tsunoshima Bridge may be restricted for safety reasons. If this happens, safety will be prioritized, and the route may be partially modified.