Yamaguchi is a prefecture where nature abounds and is protected as roughly seven percent of its land and adjacent sea has been granted national park status. Located at the western edge of the main island of Honshu, Yamaguchi is the gateway to Kyushu. About one and a half million people call this land facing the sea from three directions home. The Seto Inland Sea is to the south, the Japan Sea is to the west, while the Kanmon Strait lies to the west. The central area of the prefecture is dominated by the western section of theChugoku Mountain Range.
Among the many interesting things the prefecture is famous for is the fact that several Japanese Prime Ministers are from Yamaguchi. Besides Yamaguchi’s importance on the political landscape, there is a lot worth noting about its unique character.
The prefectural fish is the blowfish or fugu in Japanese. This round, rather odd looking fish is a delicacy in Japan. Often served as thinly sliced sashimi orsushi, fugu can only be prepared by licensed chefs who undergo years of training to learn to extract its deadly neurotoxin. The master chef can ensure that only a small amount of the toxin remains providing the diner with a mild stimulus to the palette.
Kintaikyo in Iwakuni City is a stunning five arch wooden bridge that’s spans the Nishiki River like a sea serpent. There is a festival in April featuring this stunning construction. Hagi City to the north contains a good example of a preserved castle town for those who love traditional Japanese architecture. Shimonoseki City is a modern metropolis with the distinction of having an international ferry terminal with routes to two cities in China and Korea.
From sea to mountains and from food to festivals, Yamaguchi has it all.