Top Things to do in Yamaguchi
What to do and see in Yamaguchi, Chugoku: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Yamaguchi, Japan including Ruriko Temple Five-Story Pagoda, Kozan Park, Saikotei, Chomonkyo Gorge, Jyoei Temple Sesshu Garden, Rurikoji Temple, Kitsune no Ashiato, Yamaguchi Daijingu, Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church, Ryufukuji Temple.
Restaurants in Yamaguchi
1. Ruriko Temple Five-Story Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 456 reviews
Reviewed By BZimm08 - Iwakuni, Japan
I live not far from Yamaguchi and have visited the Pagoda and Temple for the first time. The Pagoda is considered one of Japan's great Pagoda's. The layout is beautiful with the pond in front and hills in the background. You can really get some amazing photos here. I want to come back during each season to see the Pagoda and surrounding nature. Walk around the park and temple to get other views of the pagoda. If in Yamaguchi Prefecture, make the Ruriko Five Story Pagoda a must see!
2. Kozan Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By BZimm08 - Iwakuni, Japan
Kozan Park is absolutely beautiful! I came here mainly to see the Pagoda, unaware of all the other gems in this park. First, the Pagoda is beautiful! The backdrop of the mountains and pond in front makes for great photos. The Temple here is just as gorgeous. After visiting the temple and pagoda, I recommend walking toward the cemetery to view the tomb and then walk down toward the old houses that are open for viewing. After my wife and I visited all the sites here, we sat on a bench and just enjoyed the beauty of the park. I hope to get back here during the fall, I expect it is quite lovely.
3. Saikotei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By BZimm08 - Iwakuni, Japan
I found Saikotei while exploring nearby temples and first saw the lovely lawn and then the house. I was not sure if this was an attraction open to visitors, but sure enough it is! There is a small entrance fee but well worth it. You are free to explore the site, there is an upstairs as well. The highlight for me was the large hall full of tatami mats, it was absolutely beautiful. It was nice to walk around and see what a traditional house of this size looks like. The staff was helpful, there is an English brochure about the house. I would say, this site is well worth a visit, the grounds are just lovely.
4. Chomonkyo Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By xlne - Singapore, Singapore
I started my exploration of this gorge at 11am and was pleasantly surprised by how accessible it was. The walkway was occasionally paved and only narrow at certain points. There were also frequent signs and kilometre markers to let you know where you stand on the trail. In fact, I found myself thinking that with a little effort, this might even be one of the few nature trails accessible to a person in wheelchair, at least up until the tea house about halfway into the gorge. The scenery was nice and I liked the tranquility, but I imagined the place would be more beautiful in the fall when the surrounding trees take on a shade of auburn. I took my time strolling along the path and reached the tea house around 1pm. After that, I continued on to the red bridge where I detoured into the namakumo river to visit one of the attractions featured. Sadly, that path was closed and disused so I couldn’t get much further in. I did startle a roaming wild boar for my effort. I re-crossed the red bridge and went back onto the main path, spotted a lazy snake on the way and reached the end of the trail about 2.30pm. Not wanting to be caught here after sundown, I turned back and headed back up the trail at a faster pace, arriving at the tea house again at 3.15pm. Ate some snacks I brought and chilled at the picturesque veranda until 3.45pm, after which I continued on and reached the entrance of the gorge again around 4.45pm.
5. Jyoei Temple Sesshu Garden
6. Rurikoji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By veronica59
Yamaguchi is not really on the westerners' tourist trail in Japan, but if you have time the town and its attractions are well worth visiting. Take the Shin-kan-sen to Shin-Yamaguschi Station, change on to the link JR train to Yamaguchi itself, and then bus to the temple and pagoda. The beautiful park in which the fabulous pagoda is so exquisitely set is a perfect example of Japanese gardens and architecture. The pagoda is a 5-tier wonder, and the Rurikoji temple on the other side of the small lake from the pagoda is a classic example of Japanese Buddhist temples but much simpler than some of those you might see in, say, Kyoto. You need to experience the peace and purity of this place. Yamaguchi was one of the Japanese cities which, in the 16th century, experienced the cultural and religious influence of Christian missionaries, led by St Francis Xavier. Despite later centuries of persecution, Christianity survived here and today there is a gorgeous white Catholic church dedicated to St Francis Xavier which is also well worth a visit. Walk along the pretty riverside which, in Spring, is lined with pink cherry-blossom.
7. Kitsune no Ashiato
8. Yamaguchi Daijingu
9. Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By G0dL0vesU - Pulau Ubin, Singapore
I really like the simplicity of this church. Mass was a more crowded than expected (which was nice). The main reason why I decided to write this review is because of parking. If you are like me, I arrived at the bottom of the church, which is next to a bakery (nice breads, worth a go, if you need some food on the go). We could not figure whether we were supposed to park the at the bottom of the hill (maybe because there was someone standing outside the bakery, seemingly guiding traffic for a wedding). PLEASE go up the hill (by Our Lady's statue) and you will enter to the bigger space that has parking lots for those of us attending Mass.
