My last multiple-entry visa got expired and I tried to apply last year for another one. Unfortunately, I got only a single-entry visa. Despite that, I didn’t lose hope as I had an initial plan on using my booked one-way ticket to Fukuoka and book other flight and activities roughly two weeks before my departure date. I decided to use my visa rather than not using it. Thankfully, I pulled this off and achieved my #castlegoals. I’ve been to Tokyo, Kansai, Kanto and Chubu Regions before so this time I sought to explore the heritage sites and nature spots within Chugoku region, Japan’s western part of the archipelago.
Hence, my itinerary was helmed as #CHUGOKUGOALS after the Chūgoku 中国 region (‘central country’), perfect to accomplish my different interests like riding a bus, see the original castles and marvel at Edo-period heritage sites. Scoring promo airfare, then passing the complete requirements at Reli Tours Agency at Dusit Branch Makati, everything else followed. Presenting my Chugoku Itinerary below:
Chūgoku Region 中国地方 Highlights per Prefecture:
Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県 (Kansai Region)
HIKONE彦根市 Castle town at the shores of Lake Biwa
Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle Museum
Shigakengokoku Shrine
Hikone City Hall
Statue of Ii Naomasa
Tottori Prefecture 愛知県
TOTTORI鳥取市Prefectural capital known for its sand dunes
Tottori Sand Dunes
The Sand Museum
Sakyu Center Observation Terrace
Tottori Castle Ruins
Jinpukaku Mansion
Shimane Prefecture 島根県
MATSUE松江市 Former castle town near Izumo Taisha
Matsue Castle
Matsue Shrine
Matsue History Museum
Kounkaku
Statue of Yoshiharu Horio
Okayama Prefecture 岡山県
TAKAHASHI高梁市 Pretty town with original mountaintop castle
Bitchū Matsuyama Castle 備中松山城, also known as Takahashi Castle高梁城
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle observatory
Takahashi City Library
Kagawa Prefecture 香川県 (Shikoku Region)
MARUGAME 丸亀市 Port city in Kagawa, known for its castle
Marugame Castle
Marugame City Castle Park
Toricho
Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA)
Hiroshima Prefecture 広島県
HATSUKAICHI廿日市市 the location of famous Itsukushima厳島/Miyajima宮島Island known for its shrine and large torii gate
Itsukushima Jinja
Hokokujinja Senjokaku Pavilion
Itsukushima Jinja Gojūnotō
Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street
Mikasa Beach
Yamaguchi Prefecture 山口県
YAMAGUCHI山口市Pleasant city at the western end of Honshu
Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church
Rurikoji Temple
Toshunji
Mountaintop plaza at Kameyama Park
Choshuen for famous Kawara Soba
Sky Road’s Yellow Ginkgo Trees
DAY 1: MANILA PH DEPARTURE and FUKUOKA JP ARRIVAL
1410H FLIGHT
11900H JAPAN ARRIVAL. Bus from FUK Airport to Hakata Station. Go to JR West Reservation Center to exchange voucher for JR Sanyo San’in Pass and reserve ticket for morning ride shinkansen Hakata to ShinOsaka.
Ride Fukuoka Subway (Airport Line) from Hakata Station to Nakasukawabata Station. Walk towards accommodation.
DINNER then REST.
DAY 2: OSAKA, HIKONE AND TOTTORI
BREAKFAST
Fukuoka Subway Nakasukawabata station to Hakata station (Airport Line)
0600H Nozomi Shinkansen from Hakata to ShinOsaka
0831H Ride at JR A-Line ShinOsaka to Osaka. Then transfer to O-Line and alight at Shin-Imamiya Station. Walk towards accommodation (Hotel Wan Osaka ebisu) to leave luggage but will check-in on December 03.
0908H Ride at JR O-Line Shin-Imamiya Station and alight at Osaka Station. Then transfer to A-Line and alight at Hikone Station. Walk towards Hikone Castle.
1048H Hikone Castle Tour
LUNCH
1746H Ride at JR A-Line Hikone Station and alight at Himeji Station. Get a limited express seat bound to Tottori. Then ride the limited express Super Hakuto and alight at Tottori Station. Walk towards accommodation.
2100H DINNER.
Walk back to hotel and rest.
DAY 3: TOTTORI, MATSUE AND OKAYAMA
0700H BREAKFAST then check-out.
0900H Walk towards Tottori Bus Station for Sand Dunes. No IC. Pay coins 300yen Loop Kirinjishi bus. Explore Sand dunes.
0940H 39bus Sand Dunes to Station
1014H Ride at JR Tottori Station. Get a limited express seat bound to Tottori. Then ride the limited express Super Hakuto and alight at Kurayoshi. Then transfer to local train to Yonago. At Yonago, transfer to Yakumo limited express
1200H Lunch.
1240H ETA Matsue. 210yen bus from Matsue station to castle bus stop. Matsue Castle Tour. 210yen bus from castle bus stop to Matsue station
1508H Ride at JR Matsue Station. Get a limited express seat bound to Okayama. Then ride the limited express Yakumo and alight at Okayama. Walk towards accommodation. Dinner then rest.
DAY 4: TAKAHASHI, MARUGAME AND HIROSHIMA
0500H BREAKFAST. Then morning walk towards JR Okayama Station.
0813H Ride at JR Okayama Station. Get a limited express seat bound to Bitchū-Takahashi Station. Then ride the limited express Yakumo and alight at Bitchū-Takahashi Station.
0847H ETA Bitchū-Takahashi Station. Go to Takahashi Library and reserve for a shared taxi. Wait for pickup at 10am. Shared taxi 1000yen one way. So 2000yen both ways to/from Bitchu Matsuyama castle and Bitchutakahashi station. Starts at 10am
1022H Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Tour
1310H Ride at JR Bitchū-Takahashi Station. Get a limited express seat of Yakumo bound to Okayama Station. Alight at Okayama Station then transfer to Dosan-line Limited express and alight at Utazu Station.
1439H Get out of Utazu Station using JR Pass and get in using IC card. 190yen Utazu to Marugame. Note that JR Sanyo San’in Pass scope is up to Utazu station only. Use IC card for Utazu-Marugame section.
Marugame Castle Tour. 400yen Marugame castle entrance fee. Walk towards Marugame castle from station as buses are infrequent. Get in at Marugame station using IC Card. 190yen Marugame to Utazu
1606H Get out of Utazu Station using IC Card and get in using JR Pass.
1641H ETA Okayama Station. Get back from locker area using IC card. Get a seat at Nozomi shinkansen bound to Hiroshima. Wait for time of boarding and platform of Nozomi train. Alight at Hiroshima Station.
1706H ETD Okayama Station
1742H ETA Hiroshima Station. Walk towards accommodation.
2100H Dinner at local resto. Try Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki. REST.
DAY 5: HIROSHIMA, YAMAGUCHI AND OSAKA
0500H BREAKFAST.
0737H ETD Hiroshima Station (San-yo Line). 500yen JR Hiroshima Locker rent fee.
0806H ETA Miyajimaguchi Station (San-yo Line). Walk towards Miyajima Port. 100yen Miyajima ferry tax ticket. Buy at machine near port entrance.
0840H ETD Miyajima Port. Miyajima Port to Itsukushima shrine. Explore Miyajima Island and walk towards Itsukushima Shrine. 300yen Itsukushima shrine entrance fee.
1034H Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima
1101H ETA Hiroshima Station. Get back from locker area using IC card. Get a reserved seat at Sakura shinkansen bound to ShinYamaguchi. Wait for time of boarding and platform of Nozomi train. Alight at Hiroshima Station.
1254H Ride at JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Get a limited express seat of Super Oki bound to Yamaguchi Station. Alight at Yamaguchi Station.
1307H ETA Yamaguchi Station. Ride community bus back to Rurikoji Temple. 200yen Yamaguchi bus one way station to Rurikoji temple.
Lunch at Choshuen. Free Kawara Soba at Choshuen by redeeming Yamaguchi pass (included in Klook JR pass voucher).
Yamaguchi City Tour: Xavier church and Yellow Ginkgo Avenue.
1508H Ride Local train to Shin-Yamaguchi Station.
1611H ETA Shin-Yamaguchi Station. Get a reserved seat at Nozomi shinkansen bound to Shin-Osaka. Wait for time of boarding and platform of Nozomi train. Alight at Shin-Osaka Station.
DINNER
1804H Arrival at ShinOsaka. Ride at JR A-Line ShinOsaka to Osaka. Then transfer to O-Line and alight at Shin-Imamiya Station. Walk towards accommodation. Check-in: Hotel Wan Osaka Ebisu. Rest.
DAY 6: KANSAI JP DEPARTURE AND GUANGZHOU CN LAYOVER
0500H Wake-up Call
0515H to 610H Shin-Imamiya to Kansai Airport Terminal
0830H ETD from OSAKA – Flight CZ394 NFJH9H KIX T1
CAN Arrival then MNL Arrival on next day. Adjust clock back to PHT (GMT+8)
#CHUGOKUGOALS SIGHTSEEING TRIP
#hikone#tottori#matsue#takahashi#Marugame#hiroshima#yamaguchi
Nov 29-Dec 04, 2024 (Chugoku Region)
1¥ = ₱0.401
Airlines: Cebu Pacific, China Southern
₱2950 – Cebu Pacific MNL-FUK (Booked Jun092024 Php1 base fare) including 20kg baggage MNL-FUK PHP1100
₱900 – Japan SE Visa processing via Reli Tours. Single Entry visa used was granted Nov21,2024.
₱8365 – KIX-CAN-MNL China Southern Airlines via TripDOTcom 8kg handcarry and 2pcs 23kg checked baggage
Travel tax: ₱1620
Transportation:
₱8568.90 – JR Sanyo Sanin Pass 7 Days via KLOOK (original price JPY23000)
¥310 – Bus ticket from Fukuoka Airport to Hakata Bus Station
¥420 – Fukuoka Subway Hakata station to Nakasukawabata station (Airport Line) (roundtrip)
¥300 – Tottori Loop Kirinjishi bus one way (coins only)
¥380 – 39bus Sand Dunes to Tottori Station (coins only)
¥420 – bus from Matsue station to castle bus stop (roundtrip)
¥2000 – Shared taxi 1000yen one way, so 2000yen both ways to/from Bitchu Matsuyama castle and Bitchutakahashi station (Starts at 10am)
¥380 – local train from Utazu to Marugame station (roundtrip)
¥100 – Miyajima ferry tax
¥200 – Yamaguchi bus one way station to Rurikoji temple
Activities:
¥1000 – Hikone Castle Entrance ticket
¥680 – Matsue Castle Entrance ticket
¥500 – Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Entrance ticket
¥400 – Marugame Castle Entrance ticket
¥300 – Itsukushima shrine entrance fee
Locker Rent :
¥400 – JR Okayama Station Locker Rent
¥500 – JR Hiroshima Station Locker Rent
Accommodation via Trip.com:
₱2841.15– WeBase Hakata Hostel (1night) Bed In Bunk Bed In Male Dormitory Room
¥200 – Fukuoka hotel tax (pay upon check-in)
₱1461.77 – Okayama Ekimae Universal Hotel
(1night) Standard Single Room-Non-Smoking with Dinner and Breakfast Buffet
₱1274.22 – TRUST HOTEL (1night) Deluxe Male Dormitory Room With 1 Bed-Non-Smoking (Breakfast Buffet included)
₱2338.23 – Hotel Wan Osaka Ebisu (1night) Standard Double Room
Accommodation via Booking.com:
¥4680 – Y Pub & Hostel Tottori (1night) Bunk Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
¥1000 – Late arrival surcharge
Pocket Wifi: ₱3950 – BigSkyNation Wifi after PH Immigration with 1k security deposit refundable
Travel Insurance: ₱1288 – Standard Insurance 7 days via Gcash Ginsure
D1: Fukuoka FUK Arrival, JR Pass redemption, seat reservation and check-in.
D2: Fukuoka to Osaka, Hikone and Tottori (Start using JR Sanyo San’in Pass)
D3: Tottori, Matsue and Okayama
D4: Takahashi, Marugame and Hiroshima
D5: Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and back to Osaka
D6: Kansai KIX departure (still using JR Sanyo San’in Pass)
JR Sanyo San’in Pass on entire stay in Japan. It saved us on purchasing individual train and ferry tickets especially on long distance travels below:
Hakata-ShinOsaka Station – ¥16020 (Nozomi shinkansen reserved seat)
Himeji-Tottori (reserved seat) – ¥5500
Tottori-Matsue (reserved seat) – ¥4890
Matsue-Okayama (reserved seat) – ¥6140
Okayama-Bitsuchutakahashi (reserved seat) – ¥2150
Okayama-Hiroshima – ¥5610 (Nozomi shinkansen reserved seat)
Hiroshima-ShinYamaguchi – ¥4840 (Sakura shinkansen reserved seat)
ShinYamaguchi -Yamaguchi (non-reserved seat) – ¥1000
ShinYamaguchi-ShinOsaka – ¥13390 (Nozomi shinkansen reserved seat)
ShinImamiya-KansaiAirport(Osaka) – ¥1080
TOTAL EXPENSES (EXCLUDING FOOD AND SHOPPING): ₱41670.28
Notes:
1. Because of CebPac’s Piso base fare booked last Jun09 even one-way, I booked it already. As I was hoping to be granted Japan ME Visa, unfortunately I received Single entry visa so I pushed this trip on a short notice and booked a return flight with layover at Guangzhou, but sadly I was not granted Temporary Entry Permit so I slept in the airport’s lounge area couch. Despite this, I really enjoyed this trip focusing on #castlegoals and visiting all Chugoku region’s prefectures; bonus are Shiga (Kansai) and Kagawa (Shikoku) prefectures. 
2. Be mindful of train etiquette. Be quiet inside trains because some are sleeping inside. Priority seating for seniors, buntis, with kids. When in escalators, normal is stand on LEFT and walk/run on RIGHT. Trains are very frequent, even the transfer is on the same platform only. Be aware on what train to ride (local, express, semi-express, limited express, rapid express, etc) and correct platform to arrive in your destination. Japan travel App and Google Maps are very helpful due to accuracy.
3. JR Sanyo San’in Pass is very worthy because it includes bullet train tickets from Fukuoka to Osaka even the limited express trains and free seat reservations at all JR stations. You can maximize if you’ll spend 7 days in Chugoku region, Kansai Region and Fukuoka multi city travel but it already pays-off even I used it for 6 days. Still, it’s big savings. For train and bus rides not covered by JR Pass, just use your IC card (ex. ICOCA, SUICA, etc) and load it. You can use IC cards in 7-11 when buying food. I only withdraw cash when necessary.
4. Stay at 7-11, Ministop, Family Mart and Lawson and bought snacks, meals not more than ¥500. The items in konbini have tax, so look on the price underneath. I usually buy 2L water because it’s cheap then refill only and bring it in hostel so I can drink inside. I also buy snacks the night before since I’m on the road at morning. Sometimes, I eat at local resto like in Hiroshima where they have their own version of okonomiyaki which is a bit healthier due to generous amount of cabbage. A bit expensive but delicious. I’m thankful to free breakfast buffets of my hotels in Okayama and Hiroshima (the best) because they’re delicious! I love their Western and Japanese-style breakfasts so I survived the long walks and hike in castles.
5. It is highly recommended to visit the castles in spring because of cherry blossoms but autumn foliage is fine. The yellow ginkgo trees are beautiful in person! Note that early December is still autumn season so even there’s no snow yet, the temperature can drop below 5 degrees Celsius so still bring a jacket.
6. There is more to explore within Chugoku region which are lesser known destinations especially on the northern part (San’in coast) that has beaches and hot spring towns! A Japanese (nihonjin) in the resto I dined at Hiroshima laughed because why I went to Tottori (lesser known prefecture) when there was nothing to see there…hehe The travel brochures are very informative and there are discount and freebies so visit the nearest tourist center in JR Stations Information Center for maps and more. It turned out to be a combination of city, heritage and nature tours. Be prepared when entering original castles like Bitchu Matsuyama (Takahashi) castle because you need to hike/trek 20mins (hardest castle to reach so far). Rest for a while between walks. Better customize your tours at your own pace so you’ll enjoy your Japan trip.
Survival apps: MAPS.ME, Japan Travel App by Navitime (for train routes) and Google Maps for Navigation. I frequently use Google Maps because of accurate info of place to visit/tourist spot. I recommend to plan your accommodation when doing multi-city trip. Avail hotels near JR stations and with free breakfast so it will be worthy.
Chugoku region of Japan has UNESCO World Heritage sites like Itsukushima Shrine and Peace Park. I haven’t been to Peace Park due to time constraints since I need to go to Yamaguchi then back to Osaka. If ever I have chance to return, I would like to visit other cities like Kurashiki and Wakayama. To those planning to visit Chugoku area, research first before purchasing any pass (Sanyo San’in Pass or JR West Pass), so it will pay off. With plenty of options on transpo, accommodation, attractions, food and shopping, you can do it! Enjoy your Chugoku trip!
#sharingiscaring#JapanJapanSagotSaKahirapan#JapanJaFun#chugokugoals#solotrip#japantravel#endlessdiscovery
#autumn2024#CastleGoals
feeling accomplished in Japan.
Ben Goes Where 
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