The Chugoku Region
The Chugoku Region sits at the western tip of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, and is made up of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi.
For centuries, this region has been shaped by the contrast between its two faces: the sunny, sea-facing San’yō side, once a bustling route for merchants and seafarers, and the quieter, more secluded San’in side, steeped in folklore and ancient rituals. Chugoku’s history runs deep—from the myths of Izumo Taisha, said to be the gathering place of the gods, to the turbulent feudal era when mighty clans fought for control over its castles and trade routes.
Today, visitors can stand before the ethereal floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, wander the sweeping Tottori Sand Dunes, or lose themselves in serene mountain temples. Chugoku remains a place where the echoes of Japan’s oldest legends mingle effortlessly with the rhythms of modern life.
