ATT.JAPAN × JapanUp! magazine

Chugoku/Shikoku Area

Be stunned by the clear blue ocean at the Uradome Coast

At the Uradome Coast in Iwami Town, you can see rugged natural landscape features, such as caves and steep cliffs, which are created by raging waves of the Sea of Japan and wind and snow. On the other hand, the ocean is surprisingly beautiful and has such a high clarity that you can see the bottom of the water. You will be more impressed by how beautiful the ocean is when you get closer to the water by sightseeing boat or SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard)!

Get impressed by ephemeral art at Tottori Sand Museum

The Sand Museum in Tottori Sand Dunes is the world’s first art museum to exhibit sand sculptures. Based on the concept of “travel around the world in sand,” when one exhibition period of about one year is over, all the sculptures are then destroyed and new ones are created for the next exhibition. A row of huge sand sculptures that are far taller than yourself is quite a sight to see!

Immerse yourself in the famous castle and wagashi culture in Matsue

Matsue is a castle town at the foot of Matsue Castle, a National Treasure built in 1611. Since the 7th lord of Matsue domain was a tea master, the town still has many wagashi (Japanese sweets) shops offering wagashi essential to the tea ceremony. After visiting the castle, you should enjoy a delicious piece of wagashi made by the current wagashi master at “Café Kiharu” inside the Matsue History Museum next to the castle.

Be impressed by the appearance and taste of kawara-soba

Kawara-soba is a local specialty dish of Yamaguchi Prefecture, especially around Shimonoseki City, and, surprisingly, it is cooked and served on a roof tile! Cha-soba noodles (to which matcha powder is added) and some ingredients, such as shredded egg crepe, beef, and nori seaweed, are cooked on a sizzling-hot kawara roof tile and the crispy noodles are just delicious! It is also amazing how various tastes and flavors, including the aroma of tea, sweet-salty taste of beef, and the sourness of lemon, are nicely fused together to create a delicious dish on the tile.

Appreciate the beauty of Japanese swords at Bizen Osafune Sword Museum

Located in Setouchi City, Bizen Osafune Sword Museum is a must-visit place for fans of Japanese swords. You can visit a museum exhibiting various famous swords as well as a workshop of swordsmiths. The powerful demonstration of ancient hammering by swordsmiths is a must-see (can be seen only on the second Sunday and requires a reservation in advance).

Relax in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter in a leisurely manner

The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter features traditional buildings with beautiful white walls and the river lined with willow trees. The historical streetscape is filled with must-see spots, including variety stores, cafes, and art museums. Parfaits with seasonal fruits from Okayama, such as Shine Muscat grapes and peaches, are really delicious! There are also various activities available in the area, such as kimono rental, rickshaw riding, and river boat riding, so you will never get bored.

Watch the sunset from the Great Seto Bridge, one of the biggest bridges in the world

The Great Seto Bridge consists of ten bridges connecting the main island and Shikoku Island. It is one of the biggest bridges in the world, which carries both highway traffic and rail traffic. If you cross the bridges on a train in the evening, you can enjoy a romantic view created by the sun setting over the Seto Inland Sea with several small islands.

Walk on the walking pathsalong the rivers

Directly feel the energy of Tokushima Awa Odori

Said to have more than 400 years of history, Tokushima Awa Odori dance is one of the major traditional performing arts in Japan. The festival is held from August 12 to 15 every year. The female dance is lithe, while the male dance is dynamic and powerful. The beauty of the assembly of the dancers and a feeling of unity will overwhelm you. Feel the excitement at the venue through all five of your senses, such unique festival music, great dance, and beautiful costumes!

Compare two kinds of ramen in Tokushima

The standard Tokushima Ramen, a local specialty of Tokushima, is a rich ramen dish with a soy sauce-based tonkotsu soup, slices of boneless pork rib, and a raw egg. Recently, a new type of Tokushima Ramen, which is based on a simple tai-shio soup (salt-based soup with sea bream broth), has been introduced and gained popularity. Try these two distinct kinds of soup and compare them!

Experiencing the efficacy of the hot spring water at Dogo Onsen since ancient times

Said to have the longest history in Japan, Dogo Onsen is said to be effective for fostering beautiful skin. Dogo Onsen Honkan main building is a three-story wooden public bathhouse serving as a symbol of this area. Thanks to repair works, the history of reportedly 3,000 years has been carried over to the future.

Savor fresh katsuo-no-tataki (seared bonito)

As a big bonito fishing area, Kochi Prefecture has a unique way to eat the fish, which is called “wara-yaki.” You will be surprised to see a block of fresh bonito being grilled all at once with big flames from a bunch of straw! The local way to enjoy the tataki is to add a small amount of salt just before eating. If you want to try really delicious katsuo-no-tataki, you should go to “Myojinmaru,” a restaurant at “Hirome Ichiba” market, one of the biggest tourist spots in Kochi City.

*Due to damages brought about by a typhoon in 2022, the train route is currently shortened.