Chugoku Region Geography
The Chugoku region (中国) is located in the western section of Honshu; Japan’s largest island. The region is comprised of five prefectures: Tottori, Okayama, Shimane, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi. Chugoku means “middle country”, and oddly enough, so does China. This is probably due to China using 中国 to refer to itself after the Republic of China was founded, and the Chugoku region name was already in place. The area is alternatively referred to as “Sanin and Sanyo region”. Sanin is more rural and is in the northern part of the region that faces the Sea of Japan. Sanyo is more industrialized and refers to the southern part that faces the Seto Inland Sea.
Cities and population
There are around 7.5 million people who live in the Chugoku region, which is much less dense than the 22 and 42 million people in the Kansai and Kanto regions, respectively. The major designated cities in Chugoku are Hiroshima and Okayama with populations of 1.2 million and 720,000, respectively. The region doesn’t have too many larger cities, especially compared to some other regions. Other cities include Kurashiki, Fukuyama, Shimonoseki, Kure, Matsue, and Tottori. All of these are core cities and have a population smaller than 500,000. The city of Hiroshima is the capital of the entire Chugoku region. The city was destroyed in 1945 by an atomic bomb during World War II. It has since been rebuilt and is now a hub for industrial businesses in the region.
Prefectures
Tottori
Tottori prefecture is located in the northeastern corner of the Chugoku region. The capital of Tottori is the city of Tottori. The prefecture lines the coast of the Sea of Japan. The prefecture has the smallest population of any other prefecture in Japan. The prefecture’s two biggest attractions are Mount Daisen and the Tottori Sand Dunes. Mount Daisen has the highest peak in the Chugoku region and the Tottori Sand Dunes are Japan’s largest.
Okayama
Okayama prefecture is located in the southeastern corner of the Chugoku region. The capital of Okayama is the city of Okayama. The prefecture has a coast along the Seto Inland Sea. The north of Okayama is filled with mountains that it shares with the neighboring Tottori prefecture. The southern side contains Okayama city and the Great Seto Bridge, which connects to Kagawa prefecture on the island of Shikoku. The major attractions include Inujima Island, the historic canal’s of Kurashiki city, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, and Okayama Castle.
Shimane
Shimane prefecture is located in the north center of the Chugoku region. The capital of Shimane is Matsue. The prefecture lines the coast of the Sea of Japan. Shimane is the second least populated prefecture. The Chugoku Mountains line its southern border, while the Sea of Japan sits on its northern side. Major attractions include Izumo Taisha (one of the oldest shrines in Japan), Matsue Castle, and Iwami Ginzan (previously a silver mine)
Hiroshima
Hiroshima prefecture is located in the south center of the Chugoku region. The capital of Hiroshima is the city of Hiroshima. The prefecture has a coast along the Seto Inland Sea. The major industries of the prefecture are automobiles (Mazda is headquartered there) and tourism. Hiroshima contains two UNESCO World Heritages sites: the Atomic Dome, one of the surviving structures from before the Atomic bomb hit, and the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima. Other attractions include Fukuyama city, Onomichi, and Tomonoura town.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi prefecture is located in the westernmost edge of the Chugoku region and the Honshu island. The capital of Yamaguchi is the city of Yamaguchi. Although Yamaguchi is the capital city, Shimonoseki is the largest city. The prefecture has a coast along both the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. Major attractions include Shimonseki city, Montonosumi shrine and it’s tunnel of torii gates, Castle town Hagi, Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni, and Akiyoshidai (a Limestone cave).
Overlooked, but Just as Beautiful
The Chugoku region is a dichotomy of rural life in the north and industrialization in the south. Both sides enjoy a coast with the Sea of Japan and Seto Inland Sea on either side. The rural areas are full of beautiful scenery and can provide great areas to hike. There are also many castles and areas of historical significance like Hiroshima. The Chugoku region is often overlooked, but contains a rich history and just as many beautiful sights as the rest of Japan. If you are looking for somewhere to explore that isn’t a typical tourist spot, then go to Chugoku.
 is located in the western edge of Honshu. The Chugoku region is a dichotomy of rural in the north and industry in the south.){kind=link}