By TRAVELER Luxe Traveler Magazine, Reported by Ren Xiang
The Japan-China region, also known as San’in-San’yō, is Japan’s mythological capital and a treasure trove of natural and cultural wonders. Starting this July, JR West will introduce the new “San’in & Okayama Area Pass,” allowing travelers to journey through JR’s San’yō Main Line and San’in Main Line that connect the five prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Shimane, and Tottori—experiencing firsthand the beauty of both urban and rural landscapes.
The five-story pagoda on Miyajima is closely connected to the Senjōkaku Hall, skillfully blending Japanese and Tang-style architectural elements, with its vermilion structure standing at the foot of Mount Misen. (Image courtesy of TRAVELER Luxe Traveler Magazine, Reported by Ren Xiang)
The San’in-San’yō region is located in the westernmost part of Honshu, Japan’s main island. It is divided into northern and southern areas by the Chūgoku Mountain Range. The southern part, blessed with abundant sunshine and facing the Seto Inland Sea, is called San’yō; the northern part, with less sunlight and facing the Sea of Japan, is called San’in. This summer, escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embark on a soul-soothing railway journey by train.
Entering the Realm of Legends
This journey begins at the Kanmon Strait. Following in the footsteps of the legendary swordsman Sasaki Kojirō—from Ganryū Island to Iwakuni—we take the San’yō Shinkansen eastward to Hiroshima. Miyajima, an island off the coast of Hiroshima, has long been regarded as the abode of a goddess. The iconic torii gate and the main hall of Itsukushima Shrine appear to float on the sea during high tide, creating a breathtaking “floating shrine” silhouette against the sunset—a true embodiment of one of Japan’s Three Great Views.
Legend says that the swordsman Sasaki Kojirō was born in Iwakuni and mastered his secret technique, the “Swallow Reversal,” practicing against willow leaves and swallows by the Kintai Bridge. (Image courtesy of TRAVELER Luxe Traveler Magazine, Reported by Ren Xiang)
The train arrives in Okayama, the hometown of Momotarō, accompanied by the blue skies and waters of the Seto Inland Sea. Amid the serene atmosphere created by Okayama Korakuen Garden and Kurashiki’s picturesque streetscapes, we conclude our San’yō region journey.
Shimane, the Land of the Gods
At the break of dawn, we board the Yakumo limited express from Okayama, beginning our San’in adventure. My first impression of Matsue in Shimane is of Edo-period architecture and flowing water. Thanks to the absence of wars and earthquakes, the wooden structures here have been well preserved. Matsue Castle is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan, and from the top floor of its keep, you can gaze out over
The Yakumo (八云) runs between Okayama and Izumo, connecting the San’in and San’yō regions. (Image courtesy of TRAVELER Luxe Traveler Magazine, Reported by Ren Xiang)
Izumo is known as the Land of the Gods. Every October, during the “Kannazuki” or “Month Without Gods,” deities from all over Japan gather at Izumo Taisha by order of Ōkuninushi. Thus, only Izumo is called the “Month With Gods.” Izumo Taisha is a Japanese National Treasure and a renowned shrine for matchmaking. Tonight, we rest in the land of the gods, letting the healing waters of Tamatsukuri cleanse our body and soul.
Matsue Castle is one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, with its triangular gables called “chidori hafu,” earning it the nickname “Chidori Castle.” (Image courtesy of TRAVELER Luxe Traveler Magazine, Reported by Ren Xiang)
Tottori, the Kingdom of Manga
Tottori, the Kingdom of Manga, is the hometown of famed manga artists Shigeru Mizuki and Gosho Aoyama. We ride the GeGeGe no Kitaro train, arriving excitedly at Sakaiminato Station, then follow the Shigeru Mizuki Road in search of his iconic yokai characters. Back at Yonago Station, the Conan Train comes into view, as if showcasing the strength of the manga kingdom by taking us to Gosho Aoyama’s hometown, Haiyama Station in Kitagata, where we join Conan and the Junior Detective League in solving mysteries and uncovering the truth.
Tottori’s Uradome Coast, shaped by 25 million years of volcanic and tectonic activity, features unique and bizarre rock formations. Along the coast, sightseeing boats take you on a voyage through these natural wonders. (Image courtesy of TRAVELER Luxe Traveler Magazine, Reported by Ren Xiang)