Explore Japan off the beaten track: Iwakuni & Suo-Oshima

Fans of the samurai will love the Iwakuni Art Museum, where the exhibits showcase the military elite’s illustrious history from the Nara period (710-794) right through to the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). Out of the museum’s 6,000-item strong collection – some of which are National Important Cultural Properties – 200 pieces are on permanent display.

2-10-27 Yokoyama, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi (Kawanishi Station). 0827 41 0506. 9am-5pm daily, Dec-Feb until 4pm. ¥800, university and high school students ¥500, junior high and primary school students ¥200, FREE for younger children.

This historic wooden structure, complete with five arches stretching across massive stone pillars, is the most popular attraction in Iwakuni. It was originally built in 1673 but suffered major damage from typhoons and floods. The bridge was later reconstructed using exclusively traditional techniques to return it to its former glory.

1-2 Iwakuni, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi (Kawanishi Station). 0827 29 5116. Open 24 hours. Round trip ¥310, primary school students ¥150.

Japanese emigration to Hawaii formally began with the Kanyaku Imin (government-contracted emigration). The first ship arrived at Hawaii in 1885, with one-third of those on board from Oshima; throughout the Kanyaku Imin period, about 3,900 people from Oshima crossed the ocean to Hawaii. The museum was established to document this notable period in Japanese-Hawaiian history. It has searchable records of about 135,000 Japanese across the  country who moved to Hawaii. The museum receives many visitors from Hawaii, America and Japan, who come searching for their roots.

2144 Nishiyashiro, Suo-Oshima, Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi. 0820 74 4082. 9.30am-4.30pm, closed Mon (Tue if hols). ¥400, junior high and primary school students ¥200, FREE for younger children.

Suo-Oshima is famous for its fresh fruit, especially mikan (mandarin oranges), which is made into an amazing jam at Setouchi Jam’s Garden. The shelves at this fruit specialist are
lined with up to 30 varieties of fruit preserves and you can sample most of them before purchase. Flavours range from kabosu citrus and kiwi to strawberry and apple. There’s even a small café on-site, offering delicious sweet treats featuring the shop’s original marmalades, jams and fresh fruit.

331-8 Hikuma, Suo-Oshimacho, Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi. 0820 73 0002. 10am-5.30pm (Summer hols; Sat, Sun & hols between Mar-Nov), 10am-5pm (Dec-Apr & Mon-Fri from Mar-Nov), closed Wed & Thu (jam shop is open on Thu, café is closed).

The perfect beach getaway, this resort in Suo- Oshima comes complete with blue ocean views, a white sandy beach, and plenty of swaying palm trees. If you love being in water, you’ll be glad to know that the hotel has indoor and outdoor pools (open at different times of the year) as well as a hot spring bath. On Saturday evenings in summer, don’t miss the hula dance performances under the stars.

Hirano Katazoegahama, Suo-Oshimacho, Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi. 0820 78 2121.