Top Things to do in Chugoku
Top Hotels in Chugoku
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Things to do in Chugoku, Chugoku: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Chugoku, Japan including Shukkei-en Garden, Okayama Korakuen Garden, Mt. Misen, Shiraishi Island, Kibi Plain Bicycle Route, Akiyoshido, Miyajima, Aquas, Matsue Vogel Park, Tottori Sand Dunes.
Restaurants in Chugoku
1. Shukkei-en Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,083 reviews
This 17th-century miniature landscape garden was restored after its destruction in 1945, and contains a pond, streams, islets and bridges.
Reviewed By BZimm08 - Iwakuni, Japan
I love Hiroshima, there are always new attractions to explore. I saw Shukkei-en Garden on a map, and decided to check it out. It is not far from the main train station, so it is a must. I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary. The entrance was pretty cheap, around 260 yen a person. You need at minimum an hour here as there are trails and interesting historical markers worth reading, not to mention many photo spots and places to relax and enjoy the beauty. Japan seems to have varieties of flowers that bloom at different times of the year, so anytime is a good time to visit. The pond in the center is lovely and is full of beautiful koi fish among other species and lots of adorable turtles. These gardens are a must when visiting Hiroshima.
2. Okayama Korakuen Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,709 reviews
In 1687, daimyo (feudal lord) Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered his vassal Tsuda Nagatada to begin the construction of a new garden. The groundwork took 13 years until 1700, but since then the garden has retained most of its original appearance across the Edo period (1603-1868) until the present day. The garden was used as a retreat for the daimyos as well as a place for entertaining their guests, although people of the fiefdom too could visit it on certain occasions. As time went by, successive daimyos slightly modified the garden adding and removing hills, lawns, ponds and buildings, but the initial concept of Korakuen as a wide, bright space offering beautiful inner and outer vistas remained constant and unaltered. In 1884, the ownership of Korakuen was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the general public: since then it is carefully managed as a historical cultural asset to be passed down to future generations.
Reviewed By 798ellenr - Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Canada
We stopped here on a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen. It is one of the three great Japanese strolling gardens and even in the rain it was magnificent with its plum blossoms, lake, rice fields, camellia garden and more. We saw Geisha strolling and a view of the adjacent castle.It was magical!
3. Mt. Misen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,221 reviews
Reviewed By DoctorDerm1 - Winter Springs, United States
The gondola is still not working (should be back working tomorrow), so we walked up. The posted sign said 90 minutes, but this 62 year old in good shape make it in one hour. The hike is 98% stairs, so no strollers! Bring water if you hike, though you can buy drinks at a machine by the buildings just below the top. The Lookout on top does close at 4pm, so make sure to arrive earlier since you will miss the best views if you can’t go up the Lookout.
4. Shiraishi Island
5. Kibi Plain Bicycle Route
6. Akiyoshido
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 546 reviews
Akiyoshidō cave , a special national treasure, is one of the largest limestone caves in the country. It is filled with geographically precious objects such as gigantic stalagmites, rimstones like terraced rice fields, and many others. The cave started forming a million years ago and you will be fascinated with the visible history of the earth. Enjoy it thoroughly by viewing and photographing. You will walk through the cave comfortably as the temperature stays 17 ℃ throughout a year. You can go directly up to the Akiyoshidai Plateau from the elevator located in the middle of the cave.
Reviewed By StefanS71 - Munich, Germany
this is a place where tourists from outside Japan pay much less entrance fee (700 Yen instead of 1200). Cool! The cave is very big and there area lot of different things to see. Our teenagers were fascinated. Amazing cave. Worth the visit. The interesting spots are illuminated, but it it still kind of dark in there. Wear good shoes, it is slippery. Parking is a bit away from cave entrance (you have to pass the usual shop mile). Takes over an hour for whole visit.
7. Miyajima
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,815 reviews
Scenic site that includes the Itsukushima Shrine, Otorii Gate and visit to Mt. Misen.
Reviewed By iluv2eatntravel - San Diego, United States
It is nearly impossible to humanly describe the magnitude of what fascinating Miyajima island can offer - one has to experience it first hand. Definitely should be at the top of the list of any visit to Hiroshima. Please plan ahead as you would need a minimum of at least half a day as it should be enjoyed in a unhurried manner. It just seems that time slowed down on the island. If you can, go early and stay late. The island itself is amazingly explorable. Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes. The buildings, especially the Itsukushima Shine with its gigantic ‘floating’ torii gate and nearby temples and pagodas have beautiful architectures that blends into the natural surroundings of sea, lush forests, and the misty Mount Misen. Wild and friendly deers roam its street freely. The residents of Miyajima were super friendly. Miyajima’s quaint town is filled with rustic buildings of shops and restaurants. Seafood served in the restaurants were delicious especially the grilled oysters freshly harvested in local waters. There are also some very scenic (potentially challenging) hiking trails up Mt Misen. If time is of the essence, and you are not able to hike the entire elevation of Mt Misen, take the ropeway up to near the top and then hike the rest of the way to the summit for some spell binding views at 1755 feet.
8. Aquas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By naokot705 - Hiroshima, Japan
元気な子供たちにぴったり 入場料は他の水族館と同様に高いのですが、十分遊べるため高いと思いませんでした。 雨でも風でも館内を走り回れますし、迷子の心配も少ないと思います。 近くに大きなアスレチックがあってそちらでもしっかり遊べます。年中さんくらいなら一人で滑り台ができそうです。 Entrance fee is not cheap same as other aquariums. But I think it is not expensive. My sons could run all way of inside it. Parents don't need to worry too much about children might be lost child. Even rainy day, kids need to run and explore. There are less places they can do it in japan. This aquarium will help parents. There is a large playground nearby the aquarium. It has long slides, ropes and so on. Over 5 or 6 years old kids can enjoy it alone. My three years old younger son could play at the playground with father.
9. Matsue Vogel Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By 719karenj - Colorado Springs, United States
You know about those YouTube/Facebook videos of penguins dressed up and walking around? THIS IS THE PLACE! Six years ago, we visited Matsue Vogel Park just as they were closing. We ran through it and thought it was amazing. They greet you with near floor to ceiling flowers! This time, we admired their new building, used our passports to get a discount, and made sure to have lots of time. You start with the most amazing really, really long and steep slidewalk. Our friends helped us to get to almost every "show" and I got to (pay to) have a bird of prey fly to my arm and get lots of photos together, find the koi with the happy face on it's head, take lots of pictures of dressed up penguins, (pay to) hold a penguin (because who knew it was on my bucket list), (pay to) get a bird to pick a fortune for my husband (it was good), and (pay to) feed turacos, toucans, and whatever that other bird was. The free bird shows were great. There were lots of flowers and animals to look at. At the end, we stopped for some soft cream (soft serve in many flavors). What an amazing day!
10. Tottori Sand Dunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,468 reviews
Reviewed By Kevinkai - Osaka, Japan
There is an amazing sand dunes that you can climb and then enjoy the whole view of sea. Also an oasis is beside it so you can see some beautiful plants and flowers.
