A day trip to Yamaguchi Akama Pass: explore the ancient trail by boat, pray at Akama Shrine, and have a fried pufferfish and sea urchin bowl for lunch!

If you are tired of the crowded attractions in Tokyo and Osaka, you might as well arrange a day to come to the "Akama-seki" area in Yamaguchi Prefecture to experience an immersive journey combining history, nature, food and culture. This time we set off from Shimonoseki City and embarked on a journey with a very local style. 🛶Roaming the Yanagawa Fengshui Road under the boatman's shout Our first stop was to take a traditional flat-bottomed boat and slowly move along the city's waterways. The boatman wore a straw hat and traditional clothes, and used a bamboo pole to propel the boat while singing ancient tunes. With the blue sky, green willows, wooden railings and canals, the picture was like a Ukiyo-e painting from the Edo period. Unlike the water towns that are seriously touristized, there is not much noise here, only the gurgling sound of water and the breeze, which is very healing. ⛩Akama Shrine: The beautiful red scenery of the sea-facing shrine After the boat trip, we walked to the "Akama Shrine". This shrine, built facing the sea, has obvious glazed tiles, bright red torii and central gate. Going up the mountain, the main hall is magnificent, surrounded by greenery, with blue sky and harbor view, which is refreshing. The most special thing here is the "Dragon God Traveling Picture" ema, which depicts the scene of ancient warriors riding dragons and soaring into the clouds. It is said to ensure safe sailing and bring good luck. If you have a new job, start a journey or make an important decision, you might as well ask for a fortune or buy an amulet to pray for your luck. 🏛️Romantic retro: Western architectural style of Shimonoseki Station Then, we came to "Shimonoseki Station" not far from the shrine. The whole building retains the Western-style design when it opened in 1914, with a green roof and creamy white exterior walls, which looks like an old European train station in the afterglow of the sunset. This is not only a transportation hub, but also a private spot for taking pictures. 🍣Pufferfish, sea urchin, and mentaiko trio: the ultimate feast for taste buds If you come to Shimonoseki and don’t eat pufferfish, it’s a waste of time! We bought a bowl of exaggerated "Unicorn Tricolor Donburi" near Karato Market, which was piled with fresh sea urchin, salmon roe, mentaiko, and tuna paste. Every bite tasted like the sea. And that box of spicy mentaiko was even more fresh and spicy, and the more you eat, the more addictive it becomes. There is also a "Pufferfish Theme Statue" next to the market, symbolizing that this is one of the largest distribution centers for pufferfish in Japan, and it is a landmark that tourists must check in! 🚆Transportation: You can take the Shinkansen to "Shin-Shimonoseki", transfer to the conventional line and get off at Shimonoseki Station. 🎟️Experience: The boat ride takes about 30 minutes. It is recommended to make an appointment in advance, or you can wait on site. 🍽️Food: Karato Market opens before noon, and it is recommended to arrive before 10 o'clock to avoid being sold out. 🙏Good luck: Akama Jingu sells special dragon god amulets and "Wish Ema", which are deeply believed by local people. This trip to Akama-Seki is not a popular route, but it is full of depth and touching. If you want to delve into the local culture of Japan, come here!