Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Akama Jinja (Akama Shrine) 赤間神社

Visited 27.04.2015 (Mon)

Waved to Kyushu! Made our way from Nagato Yumoto Onsen to Shimonseki city on our last day in Japan. Shimonoseki city is the westernmost city on Honshu island and separated from Kyushu island by Kanmon Straits 関門海峡. The two islands are connected by Kanmonkyo (Kanmon Bridge) to facilitate road transportation. In addition, there is a 780 m long tunnel, named Kanmon Tunnel 関門トンネル, that transverses under the sea and is dedicated for pedestrians only; making it a popular choice and unique option for visitors to commute between the two islands. As we spent less than half a day in Shimonoseki city, we did not allocate time to walk through Kanmon Tunnel this time round (yet another item added to my follow up list). Here, we visited a few other places including Karato Ichiba 唐戸市場, Karato Wharf 唐戸ワーフ and Akama Jinja 赤間神社, which are all located within close proximity to one another. Just right in front of Akama Jinja, an unobstructed view of Kanmonkyo and Kitakyushu can also be captured; a testament on how close these two prefectures (Fukuoka and Yamaguchi) are to one another.
Kanmon Tunnel 関門トンネル: http://www.oidemase.or.jp/tourism-information/spots/10471

Admiring Kanmonkyo while standing in front of Akama Jinja.

Origin. Kanmon Jinja is dedicated to the young Emperor Antoku, who was the 81st Emperor of  Japan. His grandmother, who was a nun, carried him (who was just 6 years old) and committed suicide by drowning during the period dan-no-ura 壇ノ浦の合戦 battle (final battle of Genpei War) in 1185. Upon arriving at Kanmon Jinja and passing through the first torii, Suitenmon 水天門 is the next eye catching landmark that comes into sight. My immediate response was I have seen something similar during previous trips to Japan. This elegant white and vermilion colured structure, bears close resemblance to Ryugu Shrine 龍宮神社 located in Ibusuki (Kagoshima Prefecture), which I have once visited before. Suitenmon was constructed to look like the legendary palace of the dragon god under the sea, which explained the similarities between both shrines. On 2nd May every year and over a period of three days, a ritual called Senteisai 先帝祭 is held in remembrance of the late Emperor Antoku at Akama Jinja. We happened to be here a few days before the ceremonial dates and managed to catch a glimpse of the vermilion coloured bridge which was temporarily erected to connect Suitenmon to the main shrine building. One of the highlights of the ceremony is its spectacular procession in which performers are donned in brilliantly coloured traditional costumes and the temporarily built bridge forms part of the route on which the procession walks on. For visitors who want to know more about dan-no-ura battle and the dominant clans during that era, there is a treasure hall 宝物殿 where exhibits containing related information are on display for reference.

Suitenmon.

The temporary bridge leading from Suitenmon to main shrine, in preparation for Senteisai.

The temporary bridge leading from Suitenmon to main shrine, in preparation for Senteisai.

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Akama Jinja (Akama Shrine) 赤間神社
〒750-0003　山口県下関市阿弥陀寺町4-1
Operating hours: 0600 - 1800 hrs
Free admission
Admission fee for treasure hall = 100 yen
http://www.tiki.ne.jp/~akama-jingu/

 


How to get there?

(1) By bus.
Board Sanden Kotsu bus サンデン交通バス from Shimonoseki Ekimae Bus Terminal 下関駅前バスタミナール Bus Stop 1 and 2 and alight at Akama Jinja mae 赤間神宮前. Bus ride takes approximately 9 minutes.
Bus fare = 230 yen

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Shimonoseki JR Station 下関駅

Shimonoseki JR Station (下関駅) is located on the Sanyo main line, in Shimonoseki city, the westernmost city on Honshu island. There are no limited express trains serving this train station especially when the nearest Shinkansen train station is at Shin-Shimonoseki JR Station (新下関駅), which is just two stops away from here. This is also the last train station on the Sanyo main line before the railway line crosses Kanmon Straits 関門海峡 and continues in Kyushu. Shin-Shimonoseki JR Station is on the Sanyo Shinkansen line but only served by the slower speed bullet trains such as Sakura さくら and Kodama こだま.

Latest themed sightseeing train! Previously a sightseeing themed train named Misuzu Shiosai みすゞ潮彩 operated on weekends and public holidays between Shin-Shimonoseki and Senzaki. During my last trip to Chugoku, I contemplated visiting Senzaki just because I wanted to ride on this train. Did not manage to do so eventually due to time constraint and made a mental note that I would cover this scenic route, which runs alongside the Sea of Japan, in the near future to come. While writing this blog entry, I realised that Misuzu Shiosai has ceased operation in January 2017 (after in operation for close to a decade). Not to fret as JR West has replaced Misuzu Shiosai with Marumaru no Hanashi ○○のはなし in August 2017. Operated on weekends and public holidays as well, this two carriage sightseeing train commutes between Shimonoseki and Hagi and makes one round trip per day. Wrapped with a much extravagant and elegant wallpaper, the two train carriages have completely different interior design - Car 1 is Japanese style where passengers can sit comfortably on tatami laid seats while Car 2 is Western style where all the seats are oriented to face the side where a panoramic view of Sea of Japan can be seen during the train journey. The word "ha-na-shi はなし", used in the name of the train, actually means tale/story in Japanese. Each of the three character actually comes from the name of the cities which the train passes by - "ha" from Hagi city, "na" from Nagato city and "shi" from Shimonoseki city.

Marumaru no Hanashi ○○のはなし: http://www.jr-odekake.net/navi/kankou/marumaru_no_hanashi/
Fare = 520 yen; train fare is included in nationwide JR Pass and JR West Pass.

Did not manage to ride Misuzu Shiosai before it ceased operation in January 2017. Picture taken from JR West pamphlet. 

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What's nearby?

(1) Tourist Information Center 下関駅観光案内所, located within the train station. 

Website: http://www.stca-kanko.or.jp/sightseeing/tourist/#tourist-p

(2) Shimonoseki Station Bus Terminal 下関駅バスタミナル, just outside the East Exit of train station.

- For Kamon Wharf カモンワーフ and Karato Market 唐戸市場, take the bus from Bus Stop 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 and alight at Karato 唐戸. 7 minutes by bus; fare = 220 yen.
- For Akama Shrine 赤間神宮, take the bus from Bus Stop 1 and 2 and alight at Akama Jinja mae 赤間神宮前. 9 minutes by bus; fare = 230 yen.

At Karato Bus Stop, where Shimonoseki Nabecho Post Office (in the centre) and Former Akita Co. Ltd Building (on the right) are in the vicinity.

- For Mine JR Station 美祢駅 and Akiyoshido 秋芳洞, take Bus 21 and 121 from Bus Stop 2.
- For Nagato Yumoto Onsen 長門湯本温泉 and Senzaki 仙崎, take Bus 127 (Shimonoseki ~ Tawarayama, Nagato, Senzaki line 下関～俵山・長門・仙崎線) from Bus Stop 2.

Bus schedule (departing from Shimonoseki Station Bus Terminal): http://www.sandenkotsu.co.jp/bus/route_bus/bus_stop/bg_shimonosekieki

(3) Daimaru departmental store 大丸下関, less than a minute walk away from train station.
In my previous blog entry on Tottori JR Station, I have mentioned that there are two Daimaru departmental stores in Chugoku region. Similarly, the branch in Shimonoseki city is located a stone throw away from the main train station.
Operating hours: 1000 - 1930 hrs
https://shimonoseki.daimaru.co.jp/

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Commemorative stamps:

* From tourist information center

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Day 12 Shimonoseki 下関

Day 12: 27.04.2015
* Day 5 of 7 Days Sanyo & San'in Area Pass

Kamon Wharf

Breakfast: Gyokusenkaku 玉仙閣

Free shuttle service to Nagato Yumoto JR Station.

Nagato Yumoto JR 長門湯本駅 (0800 hrs) > Asa JR 厚狭駅
by local train, via Mine line 美祢線.

Asa JR 厚狭駅 (0901 hrs) > Shimonoseki JR 下関駅 (0943 hrs)
by local train.

Shimonoseki JR Bus Stop 1, 2 > Karato 唐戸
by bus. [220 yen]

Visited:
- Karato Market 唐戸市場 http://www.karatoichiba.com/
- Kamon Wharf カモンワーフ http://kamonwharf.com/
- Akama Jinja 赤間神宮 http://www.tiki.ne.jp/~akama-jingu/

Lunch: Ten @ Kamon Wharf

Karato 唐戸 > Shimonoseki JR 下関駅
by bus. [220 yen]

Shimonoseki JR 下関駅 > Shin Shimonoseki JR 新下関駅
by local train.

Shin Shimonoseki JR 新下関駅 (1333 hrs) > Hiroshima JR 広島駅 (1444 hrs)
by Kodama こだま 744.

Collected luggage from Via Inn Hiroshima.

Hiroshima JR 広島駅 (1535 hrs) > Shin Osaka JR 新大阪駅 (1701 hrs)
by Nozomi のぞみ 38.

Shin Osaka JR 新大阪駅 (1745 hrs) > Kansai Airport 関西空港 (1843 hrs)
by Haruka はくら 35.

Dinner: Kineya @ Kansai Airport
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/index.asp

KIX (2135 hrs) > HND T2 (2245 hrs)
by NH100.

HND (2355 hrs) > SIN T2 (0615 hrs)
by NH843.

- End of 12 days Chugoku Trip - 

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Nagato Yumoto Onsen Gyokusenkaku 長門湯本温泉 玉仙閣

Stayed 26.04.2015 (Sun)
Reserved thru' Rurubu.
Three person per room with half board = 18,360 yen/pax + 450 yen (bathing tax/pax)

Onsen with a history. The origin of Nagato Yumoto Onsen dates all the way back to Muromachi period (1336 – 1573). It was discovered by the chief priest of Taineiji 大寧寺, who was told about the existent of a hot spring source in the surroundings by Sumiyoshidaimyojin 住吉大明神 while he was mediating. In fact, Nagato Yumoto Onsen has the longest history than any other hot spring areas in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The hot spring town is well secluded in a canyon where two rivers Otozuregawa 音信川 and Taineijigawa 大寧寺川 splits through the mountainous area, with hotels and ryokans established on the sides of the rivers. This place was definitely more remote and laidback than I thought; something that I learnt to appreciate a lot as a city dweller. In Nagato Yumoto Onsen, you can find high end, luxury hotel like Otani Sansou Bettei Otozure 大谷山荘 別邸音信 which cost close to 500 SGD per pax per night. Eventually decided to settle for Gyokusenkaku, a reasonably priced ryokan with has an interesting theme that arouse my curiosity.

View from our room.

Presence of Yang Guifei felt in various corners of the ryokan. 

Presence of Yang Guifei. Yes, you have not mistaken. I was referring to the legendary beauty of Tang Dynasty who is otherwise known as Yang Yuhuan 楊玉環. History documented that Yang Guifei was killed during An Lushan Rebellion, but little did I know that in Japan, an alternative ending existed. It was said that Yang Guifei did not die and managed to flee from China by boat. She eventually landed in the current Nagato city, where she stayed for the rest of her life. This legend appeared to be seemingly true because there is even a Yang Guifei Village 楊貴妃の里, a Chinese style garden with a monumental tomb built to commemorate her. Though not verified, this was still an interesting twist to the original story which I was familiar with. I have to admit that I initially thought Gyokusenkaku was a place that Yang Guifei stayed before. The only reason why Gyokusenkaku is associated with this legendary figure is because they constructed one of their hot spring pool to look like the bathtub which Yang Guifei had enjoyed in China. This lotus shaped hot spring pool is called Kihi-yu 貴妃湯, which bears the same name as the actual one residing in Huaqing Pool (華清池). You can call this a gimmick, but this is what makes Gyokusenkaku stands out from the rest of the accommodation available in this small hot spring town. Imagining yourself as Yang Guifei, while having a soak in Kihi-yu is quite a luxurious moment after all. 

A glimpse of Taishi-yu in Senraku-yu.

Royal bath. There are two communal bathhouses named Kasei-yu 華清湯 and Senraku-yu 仙楽湯 which are separated by gender and are swapped at night in order to allow guests to enjoyed both bathhouses during their stay here. Apart from Kihi-yu which is a replica of Yang Guifei's lotus shaped bathtub featured in Kasei-yu, Senraku-yu has a rectangular shaped, 90 cm depth pool named Taishi-yu (太子湯), which translates to Crown Prince's pool. The hot spring waters from Nagato Yumoto Onsen is weakly alkaline and transparent. As its alkalinity is said to be close to that of a toner, the water is said to have beautifying effects on the skin. The therapeutic waters has also been used to treat neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain and recovery from exhaustion historically. As we had walked quite a lot in the day visiting both Akiyoshidai and Akiyoshido, having a soak in the hot waters was definitely rewarding for us.

Room and facilities. In its premises, you can find numerous pictures, depicting the four beauties of the Tang Dynasty, placed along the corridor, or even identify Chinese style lanterns, dividers, backdrop and furniture in different parts of the ryokan. Despite the Chinese theme, the rooms are still very much the typical Japanese style, laid with tatami mats. There were a couple of massage tools and a set of T puzzle wooden blocks, which my parents and I cracked our brains to solve after dinner, made available in the room. There is a shop, located at the same floor as the front desk, where local specialties and souvenirs can be purchased from.

Choshu wagyu beef. Selected the half board package which came with grilled Choshu wagyu beef 長萩和牛 and abalone for dinner. Choshu wagyu beef is well known for its well distributed marbling in every slice of meat, and a pride of Nagato city. I found out an interesting trivia when researching about this premium local beef online. In Nagato city, there is a collaboration between the cow ranches and neighbouring farmers whereby the farmers provide the straw consumed by the cows and the ranch will give the compost to the farmers in return as fertilisers. This is an excellent example of organic waste recycling in agriculture.

The dinner course started with appetiser and sashimi platter which comprised of thinly sliced, almost transparent blowfish sashimi (河豚). This was my first time eating blowfish, which is a delicacy of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Frankly speaking I was not particularly amazed by its taste; subtle as compared to other types of fish I have eaten and slightly chewy in terms of texture. It tasted much better when I wrapped a slice of blowfish with scallions and dipped it in ponzu sauce.

Shortly after that, the staff placed a basket filled with fresh lobster, clams, prawns, mushrooms, corn on the cob and sliced eggplant. Next, a plate of thick, beautifully marbled Chosho wagyu beef and a small basket containing abalone, each with a scoop of butter put onto of it, were served. With all the ingredients ready, it was time to grill our food on the stove! The wagyu beef was truly the highlight of the entire meal; the fatty portion, which has a lower melting point than regular beef, disintegrated almost instantaneously in the mouth, releasing all the flavours contained in the meat. Love the buttery abalone as well. Overall, dinner was much more tiring than usual because we had to cook all the food ourselves and there were times when we accidentally overcooked/burnt some of them. If given the chance to choose again, I would prefer food directly prepared by the kitchen rather than DIY.

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Nagato Yumoto Onsen Gyokusenkaku 長門湯本温泉 玉仙閣
〒759-4103 山口県長門市深川湯本1234
Contact number: (+81)0837-25-3731
http://www.gyokusenkaku.com/

How to get there? 

(1) Complimentary pick up service from Nagato Yumoto JR Station 長門湯本駅
Gyokusenkaku provides complimentary shuttle service to/fro Nagato Yumoto JR Station. To utilise this service, you will need to inform the ryokan beforehand by phone call, on your expected arrival time at the train station. Do note that Nagato Yumoto JR Station is an unmanned train station in a rather secluded town, so taxi may be scarce. For my trip, I engaged the help of a hotel staff to make the transport arrangement on the day before my stay.

(2) By foot, takes about 10 minutes from Nagato Yumoto JR Station.

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Mine JR Station 美祢駅, Nagato Yumoto JR Station 長門湯本駅

Both Mine JR Station (美祢駅) and Nagato Yumoto JR Station are located along Mine line (美祢線). Mine line is a 46 km long railway line in Yamaguchi Prefecture which connects Asa (厚狭駅) on the Sanyo main line to Nagato-shi (長門市駅) on the San'in main line. This single track railway line is only served by single carriage trains with about 1 train operating every 1 - 2 hours.

Collected this set of stickers depicting the three themed trains operating along Mine line. 

To promote ridership along Mine line, a portion of the trains were beautifully wrapped with pictures depicting stories arising from and places in surrounding areas. Currently, there are three different themes:

- San'in Onoda-go 山陽小野田号, decorated with pictures depicting the story of "Sannen netaro" (三年寝太郎; A man called Taro who slept for three years). It is said that once upon a time in Onoda city, there lived a man called Taro who did not work and slept most of his time sleeping. After sleeping for three years and three months, he finally woke up and requested for a boat filled with straw sandals from his father. He rowed all the way to Sado island (in Niigata) and returned with damaged straw sandals which he exchanged the new ones for from the gold miners. When he washed the damaged straw sandals, he discovered gold nuggets in the waters. He used the money he earned from selling the gold nuggets to build a weir across Asa River (厚狭川) and facilities to irrigate paddy fields, which brought prosperity to the locals in the city.

On board Mine-go!

- Mine-go 美祢号, decorated with pictures of Akiyoshidai (Japan's largest karst formation), sakura (flower representing Mine city) and Akiyoshido's iconic Hyakumaizara (百枚皿, 100 plates) and Koganebashira (黄金柱; Golden pillar).

- Nagato-go 長門号; decorated with fireworks of Mine city (held annually during summer) and a poetry named "Kodamadeshoka" (こだまでしょうか; Are you an echo?) written by Misuzu Kaneko (金子みすゞ), a talented children poetry writer who was born in Senzaki, Nagato city, in 1903.

JR Mine Line (in Japanese): http://www.jrminesen.com/

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Mine JR Station 美祢駅

Nature's work of art. Mine-shi is well known for Akiyoshidai (秋吉台) and Akiyoshido (秋芳洞). Akiyoshitai is Japan's largest karst formation and is designated as a quasi-national park. The limestone which forms Akiyoshitai began life as coral reefs about 300 million years ago. The dissolution of limestone overtime created this unique karst landscape here. Akiyoshido is the largest limestone cave in East Asia, situated just below Akiyoshidai. Visited both on a day trip and I was overwhelmed by the breathtaking landscape; this is truly one of the most prominent landmark of Yamaguchi Prefecture, which I will strongly encourage everyone to visit!
Akiyoshitai and Akiyoshido: https://karusuto.com/

What's nearby?

(1) Bus stop, just in front of the train station.
For Akiyoshido:
- Sanden Bus サンデン交通バス, Akiyoshido line 秋芳洞線.
Fee = 620 yen
Bus schedule (latest): http://www.sandenkotsu.co.jp/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/TT03_300316.pdf
- Sentetsu Bus 船木鉄道バス, Anmonaito-go あんもないと号. As this is a community bus serving local residents, the bus fare is much cheaper than the former. However, there are less bus services in comparison. Also note that the bus schedules are different on weekdays and weekends/public holidays.
Fee = 200 yen
Bus schedule (in Japanese):
http://www.sentetsu.biz-web.jp/
https://karusuto.com/access/

* Please note that JR Chugoku Bus Akiyoshido/Akiyoshitai line does not stop at Mine JR Station anymore.

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Nagato Yumoto JR Station 長門湯本駅

Longest history. The origin of Nagato Yumoto Onsen dates all the way back to Muromachi period (1336 – 1573). It was discovered by the chief priest of Taineiji (大寧寺), who was told about the existent of a hot spring source in the surroundings by Sumiyoshidaimyojin (住吉大明神) while he was mediating. Nagato Yumoto Onsen has the longest history than any other hot spring areas in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The train station is located about 10 minutes walk away from the main hot spring town where hotels, ryokans and public communal bathhouses can be found.
Nagato Yumoto Onsen (in Japanese): http://yumotoonsen.com/

What's nearby?

(1) Bus stop, just outside the train station.
- Sanden Bus サンデン交通バス, Shimonoseki ~ Tawarayama, Nagato, Senzaki line 下関～俵山・長門・仙崎線. This bus service operates between Shimonoseki 下関, Tawarayama Onsen 俵山温泉, Nagato Yumoto Onsen Entrance 湯本温泉入口, Nagato, Senzaki and Otomari 大泊 (in Omijima 青海島).

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Commemorative stamp:

Boarding certificate.

Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Akiyoshido 秋芳洞, Akiyoshidai 秋吉台

Visited 26.04.2015 (Sun)

Entrance to Akiyoshido.

Wonders of nature. Made our way by bus to Akiyoshido and Akiyoshidai from Yuda Onsen. I was actually quite looking forward to visit this designated special natural monument in Yamaguchi Prefecture since this is my debut encounter with limestone caves and I was deeply attracted to the photos showcasing both attractions that were featured in many travel guides. Akiyoshido is the largest limestone cave in East Asia and is 100 m below Akiyoshidai, which on the other hand, is the largest karst formation in Japan. The name, Akiyoshido, was give by the Emperor Showa in 1926 when he was the Crown Prince on his visit to the cave.

Named Hyakumaizara 百枚皿 or "hundred plates", this is one of the most stunning limestone formations I have ever come across. In fact, there are more than 500 water collecting "plates" in this section of the limestone cave.

I felt that it looked like rice terraces as well! 

Karataki (空滝), a "frozen" or dried up waterfall lookalike. 

Majestic looking Koganebashira (黄金柱), standing at 15 m tall and 4 m in width. The flow of water from the ceiling onto the limestone walls and subsequent reaction corrosion of limestone by water gave rise to this unique structural formation. 

Daikokubashira (大黒柱).

Fujisan lookalike hidden in a limestone cave (洞内富士).

Subogaki. Does this bear any resemblances to straw wrapped persimmon? 

Exploring Akiyoshido. After alighting at Akiyoshido bus center, we passed by rows of souvenir shops before arriving at the entrance of the limestone cave. The first thing which caught my attention was the cobalt blue coloured river flowing out from the magnificent looking cave. The idea of going into a cave was quite intimidating initially. Not sure why, but we tend to associate caves with bats or other nocturnal flying creepy creatures and this preoccupation was the source of our fear. Fortunately, the limestone cave of Akiyoshido is free of bats and the tunnel has just enough lighting to ensure ease of movement. Having said that, do take care of slippery surfaces and the slightly colder temperatures (around 17 degC) while trekking through the 1 km sightseeing route inside the cave. What makes Akiyoshido so intriguing are the numerous mysteriously beautiful limestone structures/formations sculptured solely by nature's artistic pair of hands, which will leave everyone spellbound and impressed. I have to admit that my photos did not do justice to how stunning Akiyoshido look like in reality (in fact these are the best I could capture). This is definitely one attraction I hope I could have allocated more time to explore and would highly recommend all to visit in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Exploring Akiyoshidai. We boarded the lift which propelled us from underground back to ground level. It takes another 5 minutes from the lift we alighted from through a path, well shaded by tall sturdy cedar trees lined on both sides before Akiyoshidai came into sight.

Followed the trail from the lift to Akiyoshidai.

Karst Observatory.

Origin. It is said that the limestone that formed Akiyoshidai were originated from coral reefs whcih existed about 300 million years ago. The unique karst topography that we witness today is a result of dissolution of limestone by rainwater throughout the years. The numerous limestone pinnacles, protruding outwards from the vast karst plateau, is such an amazing sight to behold. Examine the surface of these pinnacles and you will notice that there are channels running vertically and irregularly in a wavelike pattern, which were created from dissolution of limestone by rainwater. Visitors can explore the karst plateau comfortably by utilising the footpaths or capture a panoramic overview of this natural formation simply from the observatory (karst tenbodai カルスト展望台). Sadly due to time constraint, we could only made our way up to the observatory to admire Akiyoshidai from an elevation before making our way back to Akiyoshido Bus Center.

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Akiyoshido 秋芳洞, Akiyoshidai 秋吉台
山口県美祢市秋芳町秋吉3506-2
Operating hours:
Mar - Nov: 0830 - 1730 hrs
Dec - Feb: 0830 - 1630 hrs
Entrance fee = 1,200 yen; discounted price for foreigners = 700 yen
https://karusuto.com/spot/akiyoshido/
https://karusuto.com/spot/akiyoshidai/

How to get there? 

(1) By bus
- From Yamaguchi JR Station 山口駅 Bus Stop 2 or Yuda Onsen Dori 湯田温泉通 Bus Stop 6, take JR Chugoku Bus heading for Akiyoshido.
Bus schedule: http://www.chugoku-jrbus.co.jp/pdf/route_bus/yamaguchi/20180317time_yamaguchi_2.pdf
Bus fare = 1,210 yen (from Yamaguchi JR Station); 1,140 yen (from Yuda Onsen)

- From Shin Yamaguchi JR Station 新山口駅, take Bocho Bus 坊長バス heading for Akiyoshido.
Bus schedule: http://www.city.yamaguchi.lg.jp/uploaded/life/40241_66647_misc.pdf
Look under 新山口駅 ⇒ 美東 ⇒ 東萩駅・秋芳洞, for buses departing from Shin Yamaguchi JR Station.
Bus fare = 1,170 yen


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Commemorative stamps: