Shimonoseki

Shimonoseki (下関) [1] is in Yamaguchi prefecture at the southwestern tip of the main island of Honshu, Japan. Together with Kitakyushu it forms the Kanmon Straits area.

Travel to Shimonoseki - Visa Requirements

By train

Shimonoseki's main train station is centrally located on the San'yo Main Line. A new station building has been completed, as the old building was destroyed in an arson fire in January of 2006.

The bullet train station is Shin-Shimonoseki, located seven minutes away by train from the town center. Only the slower, all-stopping Kodama trains make stops in this area, as do three daily Hikari trains in each direction (toward Hakata in the morning, and from Hakata in the evening).

The best calculated option for central access is to actually take a Nozomi or Hikari train under the sea and into Kokura station on Kyushu, then backtrack to Shimonoseki's main station on the San'yo Main Line via Moji. By this route, Shimonoseki can be reached by Nozomi in about 5 1/2 hours from Tokyo (¥24600) and 2 1/2 hours from Osaka (¥16850).

If you don't mind starting your trip in Shimonoseki at the bullet train station, you can transfer to a Kodama train at Hiroshima or Shin-Yamaguchi.

Remember that you cannot use Nozomi trains with the Japan Rail Pass.

Buses to Shimonoseki

An overnight bus service, the Dream Fukufuku, runs from Tokyo and Yokohama to Shimonoseki. From Tokyo, the ride takes 15 1/2 hours and costs ¥13000 each way.

Another Fukufuku service departs nightly from Osaka Umeda station, running to Shimonoseki in about 10 hours at a cost of ¥9150 each way.

By car

To get to the urban areas of Shimonoseki, exit the Chuugoku Expressway at the Shimonoseki IC. It's about 5 km to the heart of town from the IC. The suburban eastern part of the city and Chofu castle town are more readily available through the Odsuki IC further to the northeast.

By ferry

Daily ferries run by Kampu Ferry (tel. +81-83-2243000, [2]) connect Shimonoseki to Busan in South Korea. At time of writing, ferries leave from both sides at 7 PM and arrive 8:30 AM the next morning(8:00 only Monday at Busan). 2nd class one-way tickets cost ¥9000, making this the cheapest way to get from Japan to another country.

There are also twice-weekly connections to Qingdao, China on Orient Ferries ([3])and Suzho,China on Shanghai Shimonoseki Ferry ([4]).

The trip takes over 24 hours and 2nd class one-way costs ¥15,000~.

Tours and Getting around Shimonoseki

• City buses
• JR trains

Shimonoseki tourist attractions and sightseeing

• The former British consulate which holds exhibitions from time to time. Tea house in the back of the consulate.
• The Shunpanro Hall [5] where the Treaty of Shimonoseki which ended the Sino-Japanese war was signed in 1895.
• Akama Jingu shrine, which has a museum and the statue of "Mimi nashi Hoichi" (earless Hoichi) who features in a story by Lafcadio Hearn.

• The site of the Battle of Dan-no-Ura in 1185 [6] and the Bombardment of Shimonoseki in 1864 [7]. This is near the Kanmonkyo road bridge. Slightly tacky replica cannons which will produce smoke and the sound of explosions (for a small fee!) are positioned at the point where the allied troops came ashore.

• The old samurai houses of the Mori clan, Kozanji temple and General Nogi's shrine (Nogi Jinja) in Chofu which is a bus ride from JR Shimonoseki station.
• Kaikyou Yume Tower and Messe(海峡ゆめタワー・海峡メッセ), 3-3-1 Buzenda-cho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, 750-0018(7-minute walk from Shimonoseki-Eki), ☎ (083) 231-5600, [8]. Upon paying an admission fee, tourists can visit an observation deck in the glass sphere at the top of the building for panoramic views over the city and the Kanmon Straits.600yen.  
• Old Akita Shokai Building(旧秋田商会ビル), Shimonoseki Nambucho 23-11(Take the bus going to Karato you will see the building when you get off at karato.), ☎ (083) 231-4141. 9:30 - 17:00 everyday. One of many retro buildings left in the karato area. A particularly nice japanese style garden is maintained on the roof of this building. The first floor of this building has sightseeing information and a gift shop. 

Shimonoseki city tours

• Decent Shopping at SeaMall next to the station...and a Starbucks for those addicts among you.

Shimonoseki souvenirs and shopping

• Sea Mall(シーモール)

This is one of the biggest Shopping Centers in western Japan and is just a minute's walk from Shimonoseki station.

• Green Mall(グリーンモール) - Korea Town called "Little Busan" where you can use Korean Won.

Shimonoseki Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

• Fugu fish (globe fish) - Shimonoseki is the nation's number one place for this fish. Lots of place to eat it.
• Go down to the Karato Ichiba Fish Market for lunch....tons of great fresh seafood. There are some fabulous sushi bar upstairs and a lawn on the roof to relax on.

• Baghdad Cafe, 1-6 Akama-cho, Shimonoseki, 750-0003, 083-223-5361. Quirky, warm and friendly little cafe/bar down near the Kaikyo Straits. Named for the movie and run by a fun guy who likes to practice his English. Great coffee and light meals during cafe hours (11AM-5:30PM) and a nice cozy atmosphere during bar hours (5:30PM-11PM). Wonderful view of the Kaikyo Straits from the front tables.

Closed Thursdays.

Shimonoseki nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Shimonoseki cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

• Washinton Hotel Plaza. 5000 Yen for single room, Internet / Broadband TV / Nice and Clean Room.

Get out

• Kitakyushu on Kyushu is a short train ride from Shimonoseki. You can also go by ferry, road tunnel and bridge. There is a tunnel for walkers at the narrowest point across the Kanmon straits too.
• Hagi is one of the most beautiful castle towns in Japan. You can go there by railways and buses.
• Yamaguchi city — the prefectural capital.

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