Japan Drive Route Guide

On this day you will head from Hiroshima to Matsue. You can drive to the Okuizumo area where there is a really unknown hidden area. The mileage is about 200km. Because of the long driving, it is recommended to drive on the expressway when GPS advises it. First, let's head to Miyoshi town in north Hiroshima by expressway. Since it is a 90km long drive, take a break at the parking area along the way. There are many amazing flower paradises such as "Serakogen Farm(世羅高原農場)" and "National Bihoku Hill Park(国営備北丘陵公園)". It is highly recommended especially from the end of March to the middle of May. After that, you can drive to "Sugaya Takadono iron mill ruin(菅谷たたら山内)". It is the only preserved iron mill ruin to produce steel for Japanese swords. There are nice restaurants on the way to the ruin and it is nice for lunch. The last and most recommended spot on this day is "Adachi museum(足立美術館)" where it is known for its best award-winning garden. It has been named the best garden in Japan annually since 2003 by the "Journal of Japanese Gardening". Although you may not be very interested in a Japanese garden, it is highly recommended to visit.

This is a day trip itinerary for two consecutive stays in Matsue city. You can relax on this day because mileage is about 90-130km only. If you haven't been to the "Adachi museum(足立美術館)" a museum with the best Japanese garden in Japan yet, it is recommended to visit first. The best highlight of this day is "Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine(出雲大社)" the most famous shrine in Japan, along with the Ise Jingu shrine. You will be amazed at how majestic it is. "Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo" is located next to the shrine and is recommended if you are interested in history and myth. This area is well known for its unique Izumo style soba noodle and "Soba En" is recommended for lunch. After the shrine, it is recommended to drive to "Cape Hinomisaki(日御碕)". You can enjoy a pleasant drive along the sheer coastline to the cape. There are the tallest lighthouse in Japan and beautiful Hinomisaki Shrine and you can enjoy strolling. Once you come back to Matsue, "Matsue Castle(松江城)" the symbol of Matsue city, is another highlight not to be missed. Additionally, there are some nice places to see flowers on this day too. You will be impressed by the peony at "Yushien Garden(由志園)". They hold a peony festival from the end of April to the beginning of May. Although it is the same as Golden Week, the longest holiday season in Japan and it gets very crowded, but it is still a must-see! Only the spots which are in good timing to visit during your travel will appear. If you find these seasonal spots on your map, it is highly recommended to visit.

On this day you will head from Matsue to Hiroshima. The mileage is more than 210km and there are many attractions along the route. It is recommended to depart at 8:00～9:00 especially if you want to visit Izumo Taisya Grand Shrine or Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Village. First, if you haven't been to the "Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine", the most famous shrine in Japan, along with Ise Jingu, it is recommended to visit first. To "Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Village(石見銀山)", please drive on the expressway. It was a prosperous silver mining and trading town and registered as UNESCO world heritage. You can stroll through the old mansions used for silver trading and the wonderful streets of the city. It is possible to see only a small part of the silver mine inside. It is also recommended to have lunch at a nice cafe in a renovated old house. Then, let's head to "Gonogawa River(江の川)". It is a wide river with dozens of beautiful bridges and the driving along the river is very refreshing. After riverside driving, it is time to enjoy flowers. The northern part of Hiroshima prefecture is a flower paradise and "Serakogen Farm(世羅高原農場)" and "National Bihoku Hill Park(国営備北丘陵公園)" are highly recommended especially from end of March to the middle of May. Hiroshima is located about 110-140km away and let's drive the expressway again. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Village is a nice spot. However, it takes at least 2hours to see and is time-consuming. If you stay in Hiroshima for one night only and feel you don't have enough time for sightseeing, or if you want to spend more time seeing flowers, you can consider skipping it.