{"id":36733,"date":"2026-05-19T08:47:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T07:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=36733"},"modified":"2026-05-19T10:55:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T09:55:34","slug":"places-in-between-tsuwano-hagi-nagatoyumotoonsen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/19\/places-in-between-tsuwano-hagi-nagatoyumotoonsen\/","title":{"rendered":"Places in-between: Tsuwano, Hagi, and Nagato Yumoto Onsen"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-regions\/chugoku\/\">Ch\u016bgoku<\/a> region\u2019s name roughly translates as \u2018middle country\u2019. While Tsuwano, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/hagi\/\">Hagi<\/a>, and Nagato Yumoto Onsen sit within this area, there\u2019s nothing average about this western corner of Honshu.<\/p>\n<p>This is a place where you can walk through hundreds of red <em>torii<\/em> gates with no one behind you, navigate streets with the same maps samurai used, dip your toes in a foot bath <em>onsen<\/em>, <em>yukata<\/em> robe on, before ordering a cocktail looking out across the Otozure River.<\/p>\n<p>It feels a world away from Kyoto or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/tokyo\/\">Tokyo<\/a>, yet it\u2019s surprisingly easy to reach. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/yamaguchi\/\">Yamaguchi City<\/a>, the region\u2019s gateway, is just over two hours from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/kyoto\/\">Kyoto<\/a>. And despite that, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/tsuwano\/\">Tsuwano<\/a>, Hagi and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/nagato-yumoto-onsen\/\">Nagato Yumoto Onsen<\/a> remain under visited, under loved and underestimated.<\/p>\n<p>One of Japan\u2019s least populated corners, it\u2019s also one of its most culturally rich, spacious and welcoming. People are genuinely pleased that you\u2019ve made the (small) effort to come.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36772 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Dark wood shop front on traditional Tsuwano street\" width=\"819\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9654-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Tsuwano: echoes of samurai and a festive spirit<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike other traditional towns further east, you pretty much have the place to yourself in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/tsuwano\/\">Tsuwano<\/a>, in Shimane prefecture.<\/p>\n<p>Walk down the merchant street, Honmachi Dori, towards the Tsuwano River. Pop into the traditional incense shop that served samurai hundreds of years ago, before getting a drip coffee from a modern caf\u00e9 just down the street. You might not meet a fellow tourist, but a <em>sake<\/em> brewery owner may invite you in for a tasting (we recommend you say yes).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36790 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Tsuwano river with tree lined hills and buildings\" width=\"819\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-River-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Continue onto Tonomachi Dori, with its whitewashed samurai district walls and canals full of orange koi carp. Step inside Tsuwano Catholic Church and you\u2019ll see it\u2019s special for a very Japanese twist \u2013 <em>tatami<\/em> mats for pews.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36760 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Tsuwano Catholic Church set against a blue sky and forested hills behind \" width=\"819\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9683-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cA guide will tell you things you didn\u2019t even know to look for, beyond the town centre.\u201d Says Japan specialist, Amy, who took a morning tour.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe walked the peaceful mountain passes together as he explained how to spot wild tea and why you don&#8217;t see many pine trees (thanks to an invasive beetle).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBack in town, he showed the Hyakkeizu paintings from the Edo era, matching the streets and scenes we were walking through today to those on pages. In places, they were uncannily similar.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With so few people, and such evident links back to the past, Tsuwano can feel otherworldly. Travel writer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/15\/field-notes-western-honshus-quiet-uncanny-corners\/\">Paul Bloomfield<\/a> noted the same sensation:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn more than one occasion I had a deliciously hairs-standing-on-neck feeling that some kind of spirit, wraith, echo was lurking at my shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/15\/field-notes-western-honshus-quiet-uncanny-corners\/\">Read more about Paul Bloomfield\u2019s West Honshu trip<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a feeling of peaceful solitude that\u2019s hard to find in Japan\u2019s more famous destinations.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36793 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs, red torii gates\" width=\"437\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-1200x1500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-900x1125.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-720x900.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-1440x1800.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-390x488.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-780x975.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Tsuwano-Taikodani-Inari-jinja-Shrine-stairs-2-510x638.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Follow the tunnel of <em>torii<\/em> gates up to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine, snaking up and through the forests. It\u2019s like Kyoto\u2019s Fushimi Inari Taisha \u2013 just without all the people.<br \/>\nJapan specialist Will, recently made the pilgrimage himself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe smell of incense drifted through the summer air, cicadas buzzed and I felt deep out in the sticks of Japan. It was a moment just for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Timing his trip for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/summer-in-japan\/\">summer<\/a> meant Will was just in time for Tsuwano\u2019s Kagura celebration \u2013 part of the annual heron festival. Loud, lively and a little unexpected.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was unlike anything I\u2019ve ever experienced in Japan. Performers enacted a battle between a local farmer, samurai, and invading lions and wolves \u2013 with children dressed up in lion onesies. Zaima-san, our guide, explained everything and I was soon getting involved myself \u2013 dressed in a costume stitched in shiny gold, feathers and tassels. I felt very much part of the community spirit that evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36754 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Will is wearing gold, navy and rose coloured Japanese celebration robes with a temple in the background\" width=\"410\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1-510x680.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shared-image-1.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Festivals are a core part of this otherwise quiet town. In April, there\u2019s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-fst007-13\/yabusame-horseback-archery-\/\">Yabusame horseback archery festival<\/a>. Once performed as a military exercise and considered entertainment for the Shinto gods, precision mattered. And, historically, where performance wasn\u2019t up to scratch, consequences were severe \u2013 some riders committing <em>seppuku<\/em>, ritual suicide. Today, it\u2019s (thankfully) a lot more relaxed, set beneath the flowering cherry blossoms along Japan\u2019s oldest Yabusame riding grounds.<\/p>\n<h2>Hagi: the \u2018roofless museum\u2019 with a rebellious streak.<\/h2>\n<p>Hagi doesn\u2019t have a direct train line \u2013 getting here usually involves a local bus from Tsuwano, crossing the border into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/yamaguchi\/\">Yamaguchi prefecture<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe bus journey through Yamaguchi to Hagi felt like something out of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/31\/studio-ghibli-netflix-where-to-begin\/\">Ghibli film<\/a>.\u201d says Will, who took the route himself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRows of empty seats, trundling along a road with barely any other cars on, abandoned homes and towns along the way. If you want that feeling of being the only tourist in a place, this is where you can get it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a route still unfamiliar for tourism, and you may be asked, politely, \u201cwhat are you doing here?\u201d. And the answer, for many, starts with history.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/hagi\/\">Hagi<\/a> is so well-preserved, and so important in Japan\u2019s evolution, that it is affectionately known as a \u2018roofless museum\u2019. The old, merchant quarter can still be navigated with maps drawn in the samurai era \u2013 you can pick these up from the tourist information centre.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36799 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Natsumikan Oranges -green on a tree hanging over a slate roof\" width=\"819\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Hagi-Natsumikan-Oranges-local-speciality-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While there\u2019s a bit of a hub around the harbour and in the modern, post-war area, residential streets are quiet, with vegetable gardens stretching into fields. Hire a bike and roll along the <em>jokamachi<\/em> (castle city) streets, alongside white samurai walls and beneath <em>natsumikan<\/em> trees heavy with citrus fruit. You can even cycle through Hagi Castle ruins, a symbol of the city\u2019s power under the Edo-period ruling Mori clan. Today, it\u2019s also famous for an altogether gentler reason \u2013 it\u2019s a fantastic, uncrowded spot to see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2025\/12\/12\/how-to-hanami-our-guide-to-cherry-blossom-season-in-japan\/\">spring blossom<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36757 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Green fields and blue sky with two people walking away from the camera\" width=\"819\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9964-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Hagi\u2019s influence carried into the Meiji Restoration. In 1863, five young local samurai slipped out of Japan to study in London, at a time when leaving the country was illegal (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/24\/sakoku-220-years-of-self-isolation\/\"><em>sakoku<\/em><\/a>). They later became known as the Ch\u014dsh\u016b Five \u2013 and their overseas education helped steer Japan into the modern era. One, It\u014d Hirobumi, became Japan\u2019s first Prime Minister; another, Inoue Kaoru, became its first Foreign Minister.<\/p>\n<p>You can still have a nose around where Ito Hirobumi went to school, studying directly under the teacher and intellectual pioneer, Yoshida Shoin. A tiny building, just eight <em>tatami<\/em> mats with a big impact on Japanese modern history, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearby, Shoin Shrine honours Sh\u014din, and Meirin Gakusha, once Japan\u2019s largest wooden schoolhouse, is where the Mori clan\u2019s children were educated.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a town with a rebellious streak \u2013 and that extends into its crafts. Developed over 400 years ago, <em>Hagi-yaki<\/em> pottery is made deliberately imperfect. A notched chip in the base made it impossible to gift to the ruling Mori clan, so it could then be sold at market. The oldest pieces have been declared National Treasures of Japan. Today, you can throw down on the pottery wheel yourself. You don\u2019t need to be an expert \u2013 imperfections are embraced, after all.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36604\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36604\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36604\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"A man working at a pottery wheel\" width=\"410\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1488-Hagi-yaki-potter-510x680.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36604\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: Paul Bloomfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For something a little less fragile and a bit more flamboyant, there\u2019s <em>Tairyo-bata<\/em> \u2013 vibrant fishing boat flags that symbolise a good catch. Decorated in bright post-box reds, deep greens and sunshine yellows with sand flicked on, these auspicious, maritime designs have been dyed this way since the Edo period.<\/p>\n<p>Travel writer, Kate Crockett, spent a fun afternoon dying her own flag, in Sora-san\u2019s 100-year-old workshop:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI knew Hagi for its pottery, but I really had no idea about the importance of the sea to this city. The Iwakawa family\u2019s vibrant, hand-made fisherman\u2019s flags (<em>Tairyo-bata<\/em>) are still used on the Hagi fishing fleet. The process was very simple, fun and surprisingly meditative. The finished flag they sent on to my next hotel is beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36766\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36766\" style=\"width: 819px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36766\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"a woman painting a Tairyo-bata fishing boat flag with red, blue and green paint\" width=\"819\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_9863-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36766\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Credit: Kate Crockett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Nagato Yumoto Onsen: <em>onsen<\/em>, cocktails and <em>yukata<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>Half an hour by car from Hagi, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/nagato-yumoto-onsen\/\">Nagato Yumoto Onsen<\/a> is the place to wind down your trip, put on <em>yukata<\/em> robes, and stroll quietly down to the <em>onsen<\/em> baths.<br \/>\nThere is very little to do here, and that\u2019s its attraction \u2013 a small <em>onsen<\/em> town built around the river. Quieter even than Tsuwano or Hagi, it\u2019s very rural, or as the Japanese say, <em>cho inaka<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36805 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Nagato Yumoto Onsen river and trees with platform\" width=\"819\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-2-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And yet it\u2019s rural in a way that is easy to navigate, and has a real spa-break feel. You may meet a handful of foreign tourists here, but it\u2019s more likely you\u2019ll meet Japanese holidaymakers, having a break from the city.<\/p>\n<p>The riverside lights up at night. Decking extends down to the river, for evening drinks and food. And there\u2019s even a touch of nightlife \u2013 a bar where you can get an excellent whisky cocktail, and watch the sun go down.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36808 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Two people with backs to camera sitting at a bar\" width=\"410\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Japan-Nagato-Yumoto-Onsen-night-Kai-hotel-cafe-510x680.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/02\/the-places-in-between-nagoya\/\">The places in-between: Nagoya<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;\">A true sense of <\/span><em style=\"font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;\">inaka<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re willing to go beyond the main tourist routes and catch a bus or two, West Honshu rewards you with a true sense of <em>inaka<\/em> \u2013 that middle of nowhere feeling that is hard to capture when travelling through Japan on the established tourist routes.<\/p>\n<p>Tsuwano, Hagi and Nagato Yumoto Onsen may be in one of Japan\u2019s least populated regions, but will offer one of the warmest welcomes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis region has some of the nicest people\u201d, says Japan specialist and ex-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/yamaguchi\/\">Yamaguchi<\/a> resident Brett.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople are genuinely thrilled that you have visited their corner of Japan. Choose here, and they\u2019ll roll out the red carpet for you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you want to extend your trip to Honshu\u2019s westerly reaches, take our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/self-guided-japan-holidays\/i-whw\/west-honshu-wonders\/\">West Honshu Wonders<\/a> itinerary as inspiration.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F36733\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! The Ch\u016bgoku region\u2019s name roughly translates as \u2018middle country\u2019. While Tsuwano, Hagi, and Nagato Yumoto Onsen sit within this area, there\u2019s nothing average about this western corner of Honshu. This is a place where you can walk through hundreds of red torii gates with no one behind [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":174,"featured_media":36757,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/174"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36733"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36847,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36733\/revisions\/36847"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}