The chugoku region is an area consisting of five prefectures, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi. In this article, we will introduce the recommended events that are held in the chugoku region in November, they fall into 5 categories: “traditional culture”, “food”, “nature”, “sports”, and “contemporary art”.
Events where you can experience traditional culture and history
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1. Okayama Chrysanthemum Festival: October 22-November 12, 2017
Source：flickr
Okayama Chrysanthemum Festival is an event held at Ujyo park in Okayama castle. Chrysanthemums have been a familiar flower to Japanese people for long time, and it is designated as the flower symbolizing Okayama city. Many chrysanthemums in Japan have spherical shapes and are different from the shape of Western chrysanthemums. The Chrysanthemum Festival is a traditional event held in the fall season of Okayama, and you will enjoy various chrysanthemums arranged with care by various venders. Highlights of the exhibition are “three large-sized chrysanthemum”, “three different colors” with alternately arranged red, white, and yellow chrysanthemum, and “Ookiku flower bed” that consists of a total of 16 pots of chrysanthemum to make one large flower bed. You will enjoy beautiful chrysanthemums in Japanese landscapes at the castle.
Event schedule
・October 22th, 2017 to November 12th, 2017
・Open between 9am to 5pm
Directions and address
・Ujyo Park in Okayama Castle
・25minutes walk from JR Okayama station
Or take Okayama Electric Tramway bound for Hihashiyama from JR Okayama station. Get off at Jyouka station and walk for 10 minutes
・Address : 2-1 Marunouchi, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama
・Map
Fee
Free to enter. No reservation required.
Food event
2. Jizake boat tour at Kintaikyo Bridge: Yamaguchi Prefecture
Source：岩国旅なび
The Autumn Kintaikyo Bridge Jizake Boat Tour is a tour in which you can enjoy and compare five local made Japanese sake drinks in Yamaguchi prefecture, on a boat floating in Nishikigawa River. The tour takes about an hour and you can enjoy traditional local cuisine as well as the five local made sake drinks. While you enjoy the foods and drinks that are all included in the tour price, you can take in the beautiful autumn scenery with Kintaikyo Bridge that is designed with a beautiful arch. If you plan to visit the Chugoku region in November and love drinking sake, this tour is for you. Autumnal leaves are most beautifully colored in November in Japan. Your eyes and tongue will be satisfied with this tour.
Schedule
・60 minutes Private tour for 8 guests and more available between September 11, 2017 to November 30th, 2017
Open between 11am to 2pm
・Regular tour for 2 guests and more is available between September 16th, 2017 to November 25th, 2017
Open between 12pm to 1pm
Address and direction
・Kintaikyo Bridge, Iwakuni city, Yamaguchi prefecture
・Take JR Sanyo Honsen line from JR Shin Yamaguchi station for 120minutes, Get off at Iwakuni station. Transfer to the bus to Kintaikyo Bridge for 20minutes.
・Address: 1 Iwakuni, Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi
・Map
Fee and reservation
Price: 3000 JPY per person
Need to make reservation 3 days prior to.
Website
Nature Event
3. Sunset cruise of Seto Inland Sea and Mizushima Industrial Complex: November 3,4,18, and 23, 2017
Sunset cruise of Seto Inland Sea and Mizushima Industrial Complex is a 90 minute cruise where you can enjoy the sunset and night scenery. The ship leaves before sunset to enjoy the beautiful evening landscape of Seto Inland Sea and its many scattered islands. After sunset, the ship will move to the Mizushima Industrial complex for a fantastic night view. There are more than 200 steelworks and refineries in the Mizushima Industrial complex that never stop at night and the factory area shines white and orange at night. This cruise needs a reservation in advance and will be cancelled for bad weather.
Schedule
・November 3rd (Friday), 4the (Saturday), and 18th (Saturday): Leaves at 4:30pm
・November 23rd (Saturday), 2017: Leaves at 4pm
Direction and address
・Kojima Tourist Harbor
・5 minute walk from JR Kojima station
Bus: From JR Kurashiki station, take Shimoden bus bound to Kojima station, takes about 50 minutes
・Address: 3-23 Kojimaekimae, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama
・Map
Fee and reservation
Adult: 1800 JPY
Child (Elementary school students): 900 JPY
Website:
4. Tottori Prefectual Flower Park Salvia Festival: September 16th, 2017 to November 5th, 2017
Source：flickr
The Salvia Festival is held at the Tottori Prefectural Flower Park which is the largest flower park in Japan. You can see the red hill of salvia with the mountain called Daisen characterized by a beautiful silhouette similar to Mt. Fuji. Approximately one million salvias are spread out on the hill between September to November. During the festival period, there are other events such as a petting zoo and tea ceremonies. In addition to salvia, there are other autumn flowers such as chrysanthemums, cosmos, and roses at the flower park. Please come and experience the autumn at the Tottori Prefectural Flower Park.
Schedule
・September 16th (Saturday), 2017 to November 5th (Sunday), 2017
・Open from 9am to 5pm
Direction and address
・Tottori Prefectural Flower Park
・From JR Yonago station: 25 minutes by free shuttle bus
・Address: 110 Tsuruta, Nambu-cho, Saihaku-gun, Tottori
・Map
Fee and Reservation
Adult: 1000 JPY
Child under 15 years old: 500 JPY
Website:
http://www.tottorihanakairou.or.jp/site/page/hanakairou/topics/2017salviafes/
5. Retro Bus Tour in Tottori: November 11th and 18th, 2017
Source：日本の森滝渚１００選
The retro bus tour is a tour that takes you around various locations in Tottori prefecture riding a retro “Bonnet bus” which was commonly used in Japan until 1960s. The cute retro bus will take you around popular sightseeing spots like Tottori sakyu (sand dunes), Japan’s largest desert and the Uradome coast, where you can enjoy beautiful sea color and scenery. In Iwami town, the bus will visit the place depicted in the swimming anime television series “Free!” Also the tour allows guest to wear anime costumes, so it’s an irresistible ride for anime fans. Only a few tour will be held in November, and a reservation is required in advance if you are interested.
Schedule
・November 11th (Saturday) and 18th ( Saturday), 2017
・Leaves at 10:30am and ends at 4:50pm
Direction and address
・JR Iwami station in Tottori prefecture
・From Tottori station: Take JR Sanin Honsen Line to Iwami station, 25 minutes.
・Address: 809 Uradome, Iwami-cho, Iwami-gun, Tottori
・Map
Fee and reservation
・3000 JPY per person
・Limited to 20 guest per bus only, need reservation in advance.
Website:
http://www.iwami.gr.jp/item/8282.htm
Sports event
6. The 37th Hiroshima International Peace marathon: November 3rd, 2017
Source：Hiroshima International Peace Marathon
The 37th Hiroshima Peace Marathon is a tournament held for Hiroshima citizens in the local track and field stadium. Anybody, elementary school students and older can join this marathon, and
about 12,000 people participate in this tournament. There is a 1 kilometer course for kids, 5 kilometer course for novice runners and wheelchair runners, and a 10 kilometer course, so people who don’t exercise regularly or novice marathon runners can participate without worries. At the time of application of this tournament, you are required to choose the course. And it is free if you are only going to support and visit the events. If you are in Hiroshima on the day of the marathon, it would be interesting to stop by there.
Schedule
・November 3rd (Friday), 2017
・Opening ceremony starts at 9:45am
Direction and address
・Main venue: Coca Cola West Hiroshima Stadium
The marathon start point is in front of Hiroshima Diamond Hotel
・From JR Hiroshima station: Take Hiroden Bus bound for Hiroshima Heliport and Marina Hop, get off at “Sogo ground iriguchi(General ground entrance)”. Takes about 20 minutes.
・Address
・2-11-124 Kanonshinmachi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima
・Map
Fee and reservation
・When you participate as a runner: between 600JPY to 3500JPY depending on the course. Reservation is required in advance.
・When you observe the tournament: free
Website:
Hiroshima International Peace Marathon
7.Okayama Marathon 2017: November 12th, 2017
Source：flickr
The Okayama marathon 2017 is a marathon event where as many as 16,200 runners participate every year. This marathon tournament is recognized by the Japan Athletics Federation, and you can run the official full marathon course located on the Okayama prefectural general ground located near JR Okayama station. There are two courses, a full marathon (42.195 kilometers) and fun run (5.6 kilometers). Participation qualification is 12 years old and older, and only people who can finish the course within the stipulated time limit. On the course, you can enjoy the peaceful views of Okayama like Okayama castle and Okayama Korakuen which is known as a famous Japanese garden.
Schedule
・November 12th (Sunday), 2017 starts at 8:45am
2017年11月12日（日）8:45～
Direction and address
・Okayama General Ground
・20 minutes walk from JR Okayama station
・Address: 2-1-1 Izumi-cho, Kita-ku Okayama-shi, Okayama
・Map
Fee and reservation
・Reservation required in advance when you participate as a runner
Full Marathon: 10000 JPY
Fun Run: 3000 JPY
・It’s free for observation
Website
8. The 13th Nakaumi marathon national convention: November 5th, 2017
Source：JogNote
The 13th Nakaumi Marathon national convention is a marathon tournament held at lake Nakaumi in Yasugi city, Shimane prefecture. You can choose various distance courses such as a half marathon, 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers, and 2 kilometers. A family course is available that allows parents and children to run together in pairs of two or three people. You will see beautiful scenery of Nakaumi whichever course you choose. There is also a food court called gourmet village at the venue, and you can enjoy delicious local gourmet dishes after the marathon. Enjoy beautiful Japanese autumn scenery at lake Nakamuni while you enjoy marathon.
Schedule
・November 5th, (Sunday), 2017 Starts at 9:40am
2017年11月5日（日）9:40～
Direction and address
・Wako Museum square
・15 minutes walk from JR Yasugi station
・Address: 1058 Yasugi-cho, Yasugi-shi, Shimane
・Map
Fee and reservation
・Reservation is required in advance.
Fee varies from 500 JPY to 3000 JPY depending on the course
・It is free for observation
Website:
9. Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon 2017: November 5th, 2017 in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Source：Runtrip Magazine
Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon 2017 is a marathon tournament to be held in Shimonoseki city, Yamaguchi prefecture. Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki is the base stadium, you can choose a course from a full marathon, 5 kilometer, and 2 kilometer marathon. Shimonoseki city faces the three seas of Suo nada that is on the Shokoku side, Genkai nada which is on the Kyushu side, and Hibiki nada which is on the Sea of Japan side. Due to the location of Shimonoseki, the marathon course is all ran seaside. And it is a popular marathon tournament because of the Fugu hot pot, the Shimonoseki specialty dish, which will be served to runners. You can enjoy the open sea view and refreshing autumn wind.
Schedule
・November 5th (Sunday), 2017 Starts at 8:30am
Direction and address
・Shimonoseki city, Yamaguchi prefecture
Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki
- 7 minute walk from JR Shimonoseki station
- 70 minutes travel time from JR Shin Yamaguchi station to JR Shimonoseki station
・Address: 3-3-1 Buzenda-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi
・Map
Fee and reservation
・Reservation required in advance.
Fee varies from 1000 JPY to 7000 JPY depending on the course.
・It is free for observation.
Website
Contemporary Art Event
10. Yamaguchi yurameki Corridor: November 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2017
Source：flickr
Yamaguchi Yurameki Corridor is a candle illumination event that is held in Yamaguchi city, Yamaguchi prefecture. The venue is Kozan park in the premises of Rurikoji. Rurikoji is one of the Zen sects of Buddhism, it is a temple of the Soto sect opened by Dogen at about the 11th century, and it is designated as a national treasure. There is also a five-storied pagoda at the temple. During the Yamaguchi Yurameki Corridor, about 1000 candles will light up the park, including near the five-storied pagoda. The temple and five-storied pagoda illuminated by soft candlelight are a beautiful sight to behold. As a concert in the open space is held along with the candle light to provide a romantic atmosphere.
Schedule
・November 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2017 (Saturday)
・Candles will be light up between 5pm to 7:30pm
Direction and address
・ Kozan Park in Rurikoji temple
・ 10 minute car ride from JR Yamaguchi station
・Address: 7-1 Kozan-cho, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi
・Map
Fee and reservation
・Free to enter. No reservation required.
Website:
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