Yamaguchi

Located at the western tip of Honshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture was once seen as an alternative capital to Kyoto — a reputation that earned it the enduring nickname “the Kyoto of the West.” Often overlooked by travelers, the prefecture is a hidden gem rich in traditional craftsmanship, gourmet cuisine and stunning natural landscapes.

Hagi, the capital of a major samurai domain, hosts one of the most beautifully preserved castle towns in Japan alongside a celebrated local style of pottery. In Nagato, Motonosumi Inari Shrine features a winding row of 123 crimson torii gates lining a stone staircase that leads out to the coast. Akiyoshido, the largest limestone cave in Japan, draws visitors with its extraordinary underground formations. Meanwhile, Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni is one of the most iconic bridges in Japan — a reconstruction of an original five-arched wooden bridge first built in 1673.

Food lovers will find plenty to explore. If you ask a Japanese national what food comes to mind when they think of Yamaguchi, the majority will answer fugu, or blowfish — a delicacy so dangerous it can only be prepared by licensed chefs.