The Astonishing Shapes of Sea-Sculpted Rocks [Tottori Prefecture: The Ryujindo Cave]
Located in the north-east of the prefecture, and part of the San’in Kaigan (山陰海岸) UNESCO Global Geopark, the Ryujindo (龍神洞) is one of the largest sea caves (Kaishokud
o, 海食洞) in the San’in region, found along a coastline of unusual rock formations. The Oka−Ryujin (丘龍神), which opens up halfway down the cliff, connects inside with the Kai−Ryujin (海龍神). The sounds of the wind and waves resonate within, said to sound like the roaring of the Dragon God itself. This year, a special cruise is being offered to view the Ryujindo from the sea.
Location: Hao, Iwami-cho, Iwami-gun, Tottori Prefecture
Contact: San’in Matsushima Pleasure Boat Cruises (山陰松嶋遊覧)
Website: yourun1000.com
A Breathtaking Crimson lit Lake [Shimane Prefecture: Shinjiko Sunset]
The sunset over Lake Shinjiko (宍道湖), designated one of the ‘Top 100 Sunsets in Japan,’ is best viewed from a string of spots on the eastern shore. We recommend the entrance lobby of the Shimane (島根) Art Museum, which offers free admission. The side facing Lake Shinji is entirely glass-fronted, and the museum stays open until 30 minutes after sunset from March to September, allowing visitors to relax on a sofa and enjoy the view.
Location: 1-5 Sodegishi-chō, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Contact: Shimane Art Museum
Website: shimane-art-museum.jp
A Horizon of Sunflowers and Exquisite Soft Serve! [Okayama Prefecture: Hiruzen Kogen]
Hiruzen Kogen (蒜山高原) is one of Japan’s premier highland resorts, offering rich nature, including magnificent mountains, blue skies, and scenes of cattle grazing. A beloved summer tradition is the approximately 80,000 sunflowers blooming across the vast grounds of ‘Hiruzen Jersey Land,’ along with the rich, creamy soft-serve ice cream sold on-site, made from their Jersey milk.
Location: Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture
Contact: Maniwa Tourism Bureau
Website: maniwa.or.jp/hiruzen/
A Flower Field Whose Aroma Restores Both Mind and Body [Hiroshima Prefecture: Kozan Lavender hill]
This is a tourist farm in Seracho (世羅町), known as the ‘Town of Flowers,’ located in the east-central part of the prefecture. A particular highlight is the Lavender Field, one of the largest in western Japan, which blooms from around mid-June to late July. Visitors can enjoy soft-serve ice cream made with the lavender grown on the farm. Blueberry picking is also available in August.
Location: 794-9 Bessako, Sera-cho, Sera-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture
Website: kozan-lavenderhill.com
The Enchanting Scenery You’ll Find at the Perfect Tide [Yamaguchi Prefecture: Kuguri Iwa Cave]
The Kuguri Iwa (くぐり岩) in Motoyama Misaki (本山岬) Park, which faces the Seto (瀬戸) Inland Sea, is a tunnel-shaped sea cave that is up to 3 metres high. The mystical scenery shown in the photograph can be seen when low tide coincides with sunset. Please note that you can only walk beneath the rock at low tide; it is inaccessible at high tide.
Location: 2-1 Onoda Akasaki, Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Contact: Yamaguchi Prefecture Tourism Federation
Website: yamaguchi-tourism.jp/spot/detail_12670.html
This article is a reproduction from the August/September 2024 issue of WARAKU magazine.
This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/travel/247441/
