5 Must-visit Hidden Gems Along the Southern West JR Lines From Hyogo to Kyushu

Discover southern Japan through these 5 incredible destinations hidden along the Southern West JR line.

Japan's JR train network is one of the most respected in the world for a multitude of reasons! Coming from a country like Malaysia that’s still developing its network, the efficiency, cleanliness and punctuality of Japanese trains are a joy to experience every time, alongside attractions like themed trains that offer unique experiences not found anywhere else. In addition, there are also hidden gems scattered throughout Japan's JR lines that are just waiting to be discovered.

All aboard the JR train. Photo Credit: JR-WEST

In this article, we’ll explore five amazing destinations along the JR Lines that run throughout Hyogo to Kyushu. Add one of these destinations to your itinerary, or maybe plan your own trip down the Southern West JR Line for an unforgettable adventure—but be sure that any of these destinations would be the highlight of your trip!

Himeji Castle (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture)

Himeji Castle. Photo Credit: Himeji City

The first thing you see when you step out of the Central exit of the Himeji JR Station are the majestic rooftops of Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s national treasures and a World Heritage site. The almost 700-year-old castle’s origins date back to the 14th century, when Akamatsu Norimura, a samurai of the Akamatsu clan, built a fort atop Himeyama Hill. It was dismantled in 1346 to make way for Himeyama Castle. The castle has since been restored and expanded several times before the Himeji Castle we can see today was established in 1617, after the end of the turbulent Sengoku Period.

The koi pond in Koko-en Garden. Photo Credit: Himeji City

Surrounding the castle itself is yet another marvel—Kōko-en Garden. Built in 1992 to celebrate Himeji City’s 100th anniversary, the garden contains nine separate walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo Period. This includes a pond with a waterfall and a tea garden where visitors can enjoy green tea in a tea ceremony house for an additional fee.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

Restaurant GONTA in Himeji City is just a 20-minute walk from Himeji Castle itself and serves halal wagyu certified by the Japan Halal Foundation and other local dishes—including their wagyu beef steak don. Do note in your plans that it’s closed every Sunday. The restaurant is also close to the Harima Cycle Station, which houses Himeji’s only Muslim prayer space!

Himeji Castle (Website)
68 Honmachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 670-0012
Access: From JR Himeji Station, walk 15 to 20 minutes to Himeji Castle.

Restaurant GONTA (Website)
193, Shiomachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, 670-0904
Access: From JR Himeji Station, walk for about 10 minutes to reach Restaurant GONTA.

Ritsurin Park (Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture)

Ritsurin Park. Photo Credit: Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association

A quick transfer off the JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama to the JR Marine Liner rapid train to Takamatsu brings you to the home of Ritsurin Park. Often called one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, the park was built by the local feudal lords during the early Edo Period and features 6 ponds, hills, trees and beautiful pavilions. Many of the pine trees in the park are a testament to that legacy.  The park’s ancient pines are maintained by skilled gardeners, and can be viewed on a short boat ride.

The park is divided into the north and south gardens, with the north garden undergoing renovations upon becoming a public park in 1875. The park is also home to a folk museum and some shops.

Ritsurin Park in autumn. Photo Credit: Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association

Those looking to experience a taste of high-class Japanese culture during the feudal area can visit the Kikugetsu-tei teahouse in the southwest part of the gardens, which is open to visitors. For a small fee, you can enter and enjoy tea on its verandas. The park is also in close vicinity to several guesthouses for those looking to take in the atmosphere on their visit.

Park operation hours change every month, so be sure to check the official website before making plans to visit!

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

Once you’re done taking in the sights, a 20-minute ride by car to the seaside brings you to ‘by age 18’ in Takamatsu City. Specializing in halal and gluten-free Sanuki udon, the restaurant features lunch and dinner courses and hosts a design shop filled with creatively designed products from all over the world curated by the restaurant’s founders. Be sure to make your reservation two days in advance to allow the restaurant to curate a halal menu. More information is available on the restaurant’s website.

Ritsurin Park (Website)
1-20-16 Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture 760-0073
Access: From JR Takamatsu Station, take the Kotoden Bus heading to Ritsurin Koen-mae for 18 minutes. From there, walk about three minutes to reach Ritsurin Park.

‘by age 18’ (Website)
103-8 Murecho Omachi, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture 761-0122
Access: From JR Takamatsu Station, board a train on the Kotoku Line for 27 minutes until JR Sanuki-Mure Station. The restaurant is a 5-minute taxi ride away.

Shimanami Kaido — Honshu (Onomichi City) to Shikoku (Imabari City)

Shimanami Kaido.

A ride on the Sanyo Shinkansen bound for Shin-Onomichi reveals a 60-kilometer long toll road that connects Japan's main island of Honshu (Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture) to the island of Shikoku (Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture) — one of the most scenic journeys imaginable as it passes over six small islands along the way. There are buses across the toll road as well as ferries to cross the sea, but the avid explorer will be intrigued by the option of traversing on foot or by bicycle as there are 7 bridges and 6 small islands connecting Honshu’s Onomichi to Shikoku’s Imabari.

The scenic Loop 1 on the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.

The 70km journey across Shimanami Kaido can be crossed in a single day by bicycle, but you can opt to send your luggage ahead via the takkyubin delivery service and take your time exploring the islands of Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima, which feature plenty of guesthouses along the way.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot: 

On Miyakubo Island just off the coast of Imabari is seafood restaurant Noshima Suigun. The restaurant, located just 11 minutes’ drive from the Shimanami Kaido exit on the island,  specializes in Tai meshi, which sees sea bream sashimi dipped in a special sauce and mixed with condiments and eaten over rice and offers DIY seafood barbecues on a deck overlooking the sea. Those intending to visit can call ahead for the restaurant to prepare a halal menu and non-alcoholic and vegan soy sauce at +81 0897-86-3323.

Shimanami Kaido (Website)
Onomichi Station, 1-1 Higashigosho-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture 722-0036 
Access: From JR Shin Osaka Station, take the Sanyo Shinkansen to JR Fukuyama Station, followed by a 20-minute ride on the Sanyo Main Line to JR Onomichi Station.

Noshima Suigun (Website)
1293-2 Miyakubo, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture 794-2203
Access: From the Shimanami Kaido Oshima-Kita Interchange, head northeast for 2.7km by car towards the Noshima Ferry Terminal.

Beppu Hells (Beppu City, Oita Prefecture)

The Kobato Blue Pond. Photo Credit: Kyushu Tourism Organization

A ride on the JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin Osaka to Kokura Station and a transfer to the Limited Express Sonic train will bring you to Beppu City, which is famous for its hot springs. The city is home to the Beppu Hells, a collection of 7 hot springs and geothermal features that are part of the eight distinct major thermal spring zones that lie below the city. 

Jigoku mushi, an Oita Prefecture specialty. Photo Credit: Kyushu Tourism Organization

Designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty, the 7 hot springs each display unique characteristics and vibrant colors. For example, Umi Jigoku (which means “Sea Hell”), the largest of the hells, is a stunning sight with its cobalt blue appearance and depth of 200 meters! Bathing may not be permitted in the Beppu Hells, but visitors can check out the practice of Jigoku Mushi, which sees fresh vegetables and seafood steamed using the vapors from the hot springs.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

Located in Beppu City, the Central Kyushu Masjid hosts a vibrant community and often hosts open events inviting locals to learn more about the religion. It is easily accessible from Beppu Hells via the Kamenoi Bus at Umijigoku Mae, and will bring you within 3 to 5 minutes’ walking distance of the masjid after disembarking at Mochigahama 2 Kumi.

Beppu Hells (Website)
559-1 Kannawa, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture 874-0000
Access: From JR Beppu Station, go to the west exit to take a Kamenoi Bus heading to Umi Jigoku-mae/Kannawa area. Get off depending on which hell you want to visit first.

Central Kyushu Masjid (Website)
10-19 Wakakusa-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture 874-0925
Access: From JR Beppu Station, board the Kamenoi Bus for 9 minutes until the Mochigahama stop. From there, walk about 3 to 5 minutes to Central Kyushu Masjid.

Nagasaki Peace Park (Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture)

Nagasaki Peace Park. ©NAGASAKI CITY

The solemn but resplendent Nagasaki Peace Park sits on the site of the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945, and is a reminder of the might of nuclear technology and a stark symbol of why humans should never wield them against one another. The park features two Peace Symbols Zones, which are filled with monuments to peace donated from a total of 15 countries. The park was also shown in the 1991 Akira Kurosawa film, 'Rhapsody in August'.

One of the displays inside the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Photo Credit: ©NAGASAKI CITY

Museums dedicated to the bombing can also be found within the vicinity of the park, including the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum (Nyokodo), Noguchi Yataro Art Museum and more. While this destination is more sobering than the others in this article, the weight of history at this site will live on long in the mind. 

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

A tram-way ride heading to Sakuramachi Station brings us to MALAYA Restaurant, which situated in front of the Nagasaki City Library. MALAYA Restaurant serves halal Malaysian/Indonesian and Japanese food for guests. Local favorites available include Kari Ayam and Satay.

Nagasaki Peace Park (Website)
Matsuyamamacho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 852-8118
Access: From JR Nagasaki Station, ride the Nagasaki Electric Tramway for 13 minutes to reach Heiwa Koen then walk to the Nagasaki Peace Park.

MALAYA Restaurant (Website)
4-4-1F, Kozen-Machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 850-0032
Access: From Nagasaki Peace Park, board the Nagasaki Electric Tramway to Sakuramachi Station. The restaurant is 5 minutes away from the station.

Conclusion

If you’re in the middle of planning your next trip, why not consider adding one of these destinations to your itinerary? There is so much of Japan to fall in love with, and we hope this article inspires you to embark on a Japanese train discovery and, perhaps, uncover what you truly love about Japan along the way.