YAMAGUCHI - Hit the Road

If you wish to really see Japan, get behind the wheel. Notable places and interesting people are waiting just off the beaten path. Our journey this time takes us to Yamaguchi Prefecture. Starting at its western tip in Shimonoseki, we'll trace the northern coastline before heading east to our destination, Kintaikyo Bridge. A rare type of wooden bridge with five interconnected arches. It's an iconic Yamaguchi landmark. But that's only part of Yamaguchi's appeal. Beyond the car window lies a panorama of two seas. We'll discover the history behind the birth of modern Japan, as well as food culture that originated right here in Yamaguchi. So hop in and buckle up. The sea is calling. Let's hit the road. Welcome to Yamaguchi. I'm your navigation system. And today, I'll be your guide on a spectacular coastal drive. We're starting in Shimonoseki. To the east lies the Seto Inland Sea, and to the west, the Sea of Japan. We'll first head for the Kanmon Strait, where these two bodies of water meet. There's the sea. This is the Kanmon Strait on the Seto Inland Sea. Across the water is Kyushu. Ahead is the Kanmon Bridge. It spans one of the narrowest parts of the strait. About 500 meters wide at its tightest, 60,000 vessels pass through this channel every year. It's one of Japan's most important maritime routes. Let's visit another spot connected to the sea. Hayadomari Market is a place that supports one of the world's most unusual seafood traditions. The Sea of Japan is coming into view. That white building up ahead is Hayadomari Market. This is the only market in Japan specializing in a single species of a highly poisonous fish. And that fearsome fish is... Fugu. Along with locally sourced, wild and farmed fugu from across Japan are brought here. In fact, as much as 80% of Japan's wild-caught fugu is traded here. That's because the area has long been home to enterprises, with the expertise needed to safely prepare and process the fish. Fugu toxin is incredibly potent. Just one milligram can be fatal. That's why anyone preparing it must be specially licensed. People in Shimonoseki have been eating fugu for generations. Centuries of accumulated knowledge and technique have helped shape this unique culinary tradition. In Japan, fugu is a prized delicacy. The most popular way to enjoy it is as sashimi. Quite an artistic presentation, wouldn't you say? So if you're visiting Japan, don't be afraid to give it a try. Now let's head somewhere you can enjoy this delicacy at an affordable price. We'll continue north to our next stop, Nichinoeki Houhoku. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the Sea of Japan. Enjoy your visit! How was the seafood from the Sea of Japan? Now let's top it off with some spectacular scenery. Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge is just up ahead. As one of Yamaguchi's most celebrated driving routes, this is a detour you won't want to miss. Let's go! Around this corner, Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge. It's almost a dreamlike feeling of gliding over the sea. The bridge stretches for 1,780 meters, linking Tsunoshima Island with the mainland. Before it was built, the island was served by just seven ferry crossings a day. When the sea turned rough, there was no way to get back and forth. For the island's residents, it was nothing less than a dream come true. A bridge to a better future. Now let's continue east to Hagi. With beautifully preserved historic streets, it's one of Yamaguchi's most charming cities. It's also the place where the modern story of fugu began. In the 16th century, fugu poisoning claimed so many lives that a ban was imposed. For centuries afterward, it wasn't something people were supposed to eat openly. Then in the 19th century, one man changed everything by lifting the ban on fugu. Ito Hirobumi, Japan's first prime minister. Hagi, the city we're heading to now, is his birthplace. We've arrived in Hagi! Hagi prospered as a castle town, and traces of that past can still be seen throughout the city today. Let's turn down this narrow street. The atmosphere of old Japan still lingers here. This district is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let's take it slow through here. Kaimagari is a feature of Japanese castle town streets, where the roads bend at right angles. Obstructing the view ahead made it easier to defend the town. Hagi is also known for producing many key figures who helped bring an end to the age of the shoguns. The story centers on a famous private academy. It still remains within a shrine's grounds. This is Shoka Sonjuku, a tiny school barely 50 square meters in size. Yet the young people who studied here would go on to help shape a new era in Japan's history. One of its students was Ito Hirobumi, the same man who lifted the ban on fugu. Now, go and try some of Hagi's local specialties. There's a michino-eki called Hagi-yokan just up ahead. Look out to the left. Natsu-mikan, or summer oranges. Citrus trees growing on the grounds of old residences are one of the sights that make Hagi unique. That large gate up ahead marks our destination. We've arrived. Enjoy your visit. Now for our final destination, Kintai-kyo Bridge. Oh, have you noticed the yellow guardrails? They're said to be inspired by the local citrus fruits. You'll find them not only in Hagi, but throughout Yamaguchi Prefecture. We're gaining elevation now. This is Akiyoshidai, one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. Those white specks are limestone formations. This landscape was formed from coral reefs that rose from the sea over 350 million years. Akiyoshidai is one of Japan's largest karst plateaus and is recognized as part of a UNESCO Global Geopark. We'll hop on the expressway for a short stretch from here. Let's exit just before the next interchange. There's a beautiful coastal road I'd like to show you. The Seto Inland Sea has come into view. At last, Kintai-kyo Bridge. Thanks for joining us on this 300-kilometer drive across Yamaguchi. Now, sit back and enjoy the bridge against the night sky.