Chugoku region includes Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Yamaguchi and Tottori. They have mountains and seaside that source their reputation for their delicious food. Each prefecture has own history and culture. Seto Inland Sea offers you beautiful islands and sea view that is called Tatoubi. They also have sections of old town preservation. In this article, you can find out about events in this region, why don’t you stop by to take a look if you are planning to come and visit.
Traditional Festival
1.＜Hiroshima＞Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine New Year Ceremony – 2018.1.1～3
Source: 4travel.jp
Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine would start their New Year celebration from December 31st at 17:00. At 23:15 they would start their main ceremony
Kazaritaruhonosai. At 00:00 they would start a new year with Hatsukaguratatematsuso. (Ceremonial dance) On 1st of January, they would do
Saitansai and Honoginei. On the next day, they would do Futsukasai and Honoshakuhachi. On the third day, they would do Genshisai, Kyudohatsujarai and Honoyokyoku. They are all very traditional ceremonies; you would surely see authentic Japanese a New Year tradition. There are expecting about six hundred thousand visitors over those three days. The Shine would offer holly alcohol as well as there would be a panty of stalls that sells food, drinks, sweets and some other stuffs. Their famous local baseball team would come here every year for a New Year ceremony. The shine is located inside of the Hiroshimajoshikoen, so the castle is near by. It’s an easy access from the main station therefore; it’s quite popular sightseeing spot.
Schedule
2018.1.1～3
【1st】Hatsukaguratatematsuso 0:00～、Saitansai 10:00～、Honoginei 10:30～
【2nd】Futsukasai 10:00～、Honoshakuhachi 13:00～
【3ed】Genshisai 10:00～、Kyudohatsujarai 10:30～、Honoyokyoku 11:00～
Access ＆ address
・place
Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
・time from the nearest station
Hiroshimadentetsu Kamiya-cho-higashi Station about 10 min walk
・time from the main station
JR Hiroshima station about 15 min bus ride
・address 21-2 MotomaChugokuka, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Japan
・Map
Price＆booking
free
No need to book
Official site
2.＜Tottori＞Tottori Hakuto Shrine New Year Ceremony – 2018.1.1～3
Source: flickr
Hakuto Shrine would have thirty thousand visitors over a New Year period. During those days, they offer holly alcohol as well as Usagiyaki. (burnt rabbit) Don’t worry, Usagiyaki is a Japanese sweet! Hakuto Shrine is famous for a good luck for a successful relationship. The first Japanese traditional love story took place here. The story was about a white rabbit. Since then this place was the officially a holly place for love. Around the shrine, there are many souvenir shops and resting places. There are also Shinwanosato Shirousagi, Hakuto Beach, and Hatuto Hill. Why don’t you check them out and walk around there to find out more.
Schedule
2018.1.1～3
Access ＆ address
・place
Hakuto Shrine
・time from the nearest station
Hiromaru Bus Hakuto Shrine Front stop
・time from the main staiton
Form JR Tottori station about 40 min
・address 603 Hakuto Tottori, Tottori, Japan
・map
Price＆booking
Free
No booking necessary
Official site
none
3.＜Shimane＞Shimane Izumotaisha New Year ceremony- 2018.1.1～3
Over a New Year period of Jan 1st to 3rd, this shrine would have more than six hundred thousand visitors. On 1st of January, from at 7:00am, they would start a worshipping ceremony to Ohkuninushinoookami; this is called Ohmikesai. On 3rd of January, from 13:00, at Mitosenoyashiro (this place is about 300m away from the main building) they would do Fukugeisai. At the end of this ceremony, they offer worshippers Fukushiba. People believe that Fukushiba would bring a year of happiness. Therefore, they would queue up join this ceremony.
People would come to this shrine to pray for a happy relationship and happiness.
This shrine is also well known for its construction; it is the oldest one in Japan. It was built in 1744 and registered as the National Treasure. They style of their worship is differ to other shrine; it’s 2 bows and 4 handclaps.
Schedule
2018.1.1～3
Access & address
・place
Izumotaisha
・time from the nearest station
Ichibata Electric Railway, Izumotaisha Front station about 7 min walk
From JR Saninhonsen, Izumo Shi station, take Izumotaisha Bus and get off Izumotaisha
・Matsue station take Saninhonsen, Ichibata Electric Railway about 1 hour 10 min
・address 195 Taishacho Kizukihigashi, Izumo, Shimane, Japan
・map
Price ＆ booking
free
no booking necessary
Official site
http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp
Traditional cultural experiencing & leaning history event
4.＜Okayama＞Okayama Kourakuen Hatsuharusai – 2018.1.1～3
Source: 全国ご当地キャラニュース
Kourakuen Hatsuharusai would take place from 1st to 3rd of January. Visitors would come and see Red-crowned cranes walk around their garden gracefully. Visitors are also able to see authentic Japanese traditional demonstrations: Sokyokuenso, Kyogen and tea ceremony. From 23rd of December to 8th of January, there is a photographic exhibition you can enjoy.
Kourakuen is the one of the best Japanese garden in Japan; like Kairakuen in Mito and Kenrokuen in Kanazawa. They are also Kaiyu shiki garden which means that you can walk around it to see and enjoy. This garden is one of the Japanese government must see special place. This garden was build around 1700, since then it was renovated, redesigned and expanded. One of the great views would be Sawanoike (a pond) and Yuishinzan (a mountain); and the area around them.
You may be able to see two other mountains in the distance from the garden; that would also create a wonderful view.
Schedule
2018.1.1～3
am8:00～pm5:00
Access ＆ address
Okayama Kourakuen
・time from the nearest station
From JR Okayama station, express bus about 10 min
Fujiwara Danchi Bus (local bus) about 15 min and get off at Kourakuen Front Stop
Okayama Electric Tramway Jouka stop : about 10 min walk
・time from main station
Okayama station about 10 min bus ride
・address 1-5 Kourakuen, Kita, Okayama, Okayama Japan
・Map
Price ＆ booking
1st of Jan entrance is free
2dn～3rd/adults :400yen、over 65: 140yen、under 18 : free（2017.4.1～2018.3.31※you need student ID）
No booking necessary
Official site
http://www.okayama-korakuen.jp/
Nature observation event
5.＜Yamaguchi＞Kaikyō Yume Tower – a New Year early opening -2018.1.1
Kaikyō Yume Tower was built as a symbol; it represents the light tower of Shimonoseki a town of a channel. They open especially early on 1st of January because people would want to see the first sunrise of a year from the viewing platform on the top floor which is about 143m high from the ground. The sun would rise between islands and the channel. From 1st to 3rd of January, visitors may be able to get a present. At the night, the tower would be light up specially with two colours: red and white.
The tower height is 153m; the top floor is 143m from the ground. You would take about 70 second to get to the top floor by a grass elevator. You would see the 360-degree panorama view from there. You would see the channel, islands and sea. You can spend relaxing time at this observation point. There is a shrine here too. Their fortune telling lucky dip is quite popular. You shall visit this place with your lover to wish a happy life together.
Schedule
2017.1.1
Time/6:30～21:30（last entry 21:00）
Light up
Time/12.31 23:55 to 1.1 1:00、6:00am to 7:00、From 1.1 to 3 17:45 to 21:45
Access ＆ address
・place
Kaikyō Yume Tower
・time from the nearest station
JR Saninhonsen Shimonoseki station about 7 min walk
・time from main station
from Shimonoseki station about 7 min walk
・address 3-3-1 Buzendacho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan
・map
Price＆booking
entrance to tower /adult : 600yen、7-16 years old・over 65 ・students ・tourists form abroad : 300yen ※ID required
no booking necessary
Official site
If this got you interested in experiencing deep local culture first hand, we, MagicalTrip provide unique night tours with a friendly local guide in Japan. You’ll get to go to local Izakaya bars to enjoy authentic food and drinks, why don’t you give MagicalTrip’s Bar Hopping Food Tours.