Castle tourism in Yamaguchi Prefecture

Yamaguchi Prefecture, located at the southernmost tip of Honshu and surrounded by the sea on three sides, is known for its unique natural scenery. There are many scenic spots such as Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge, Akiyoshidai, Japan's largest karst plateau, and Akiyoshido, a large limestone cave. Built by the Ouchi clan dating back to the Asuka period, Yamaguchi is known as the "Western Capital" and is home to the five-storied pagoda of Rurikoji Temple, a national treasure. Other highlights include Iwakuni Castle, the beautiful Kintaikyo Bridge with its five wooden arches, and Terumoto Mori's Hagi Castle, which is now a World Heritage Site. Hagi in particular has a beautiful castle town that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, and there are many places associated with great figures who were active in the Meiji Restoration, such as Matsushita Sonjuku.