The sea, hot springs, performing arts, and mikan oranges. Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Suo-Oshima Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Suo-Oshima Town, centered around Yashiro Island floating in the Seto Inland Sea of Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a town surrounded by the sea. You access it by crossing the Oshima Ohashi Bridge from Yanai City on the opposite shore in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

In the town you’ll find Suo-Oshima Onsen as well as several other hot springs such as Ryuzaki Onsen and Soegahama Onsen. They attract not only locals but many tourists as well. Suo-Oshima Town, which has a sister-island relationship with Kauai in Hawaii, is dotted with sightseeing spots such as a museum where you can learn about the history of immigration, a stay-type sports facility inspired by Kauai, and a memorial museum that shares the achievements of honorary town citizen Tetsuro Hoshino.

1. A rare sepia-colored, tide-scented hot spring “Ryuzaki Onsen”

Ryuzaki Onsen, located near the center of Suo-Oshima, is a famous hot spring boasting one of the finest water qualities in the Chugoku region. Its pride is an extremely rare, even by national standards, sepia-colored, highly saline chloride hot spring.

From the bathtub known as “Shiokaze no Yu” (Bath of the Sea Breeze), you can look out over Asagesho Bay right before your eyes. In addition to the sea breeze, the sound of the waves is soothing, and you can also enjoy a view of the majestic form of Mt. Kasayama, also called “Oshima Fuji.” It is a luxurious healing space where you can soak in the water and enjoy spectacular views of both the sea and the mountains.

Since Ryuzaki Onsen is right in front of the sea, the restaurant inside the facility serves fresh seafood dishes. The recommendation is “Mikan Nabe” (mikan hot pot), which can only be eaten here anywhere in the country. About 80% of the Unshu mikan produced in Yamaguchi Prefecture are grown on this island, so this is a dish unique to Suo-Oshima that makes the most of the local specialty.

2. Lose yourself in the beloved songs of the Showa era “Tetsuro Hoshino Memorial Museum”

Tetsuro Hoshino, famous for writing the lyrics to the theme song of the nationally beloved film series “Otoko wa Tsurai yo” starring Kiyoshi Atsumi, is originally from Suo-Oshima Town. In recognition of his achievements, he has been chosen as an honorary citizen of the town.

At the Tetsuro Hoshino Memorial Museum, you can learn about Hoshino’s life and encounter many of his works. It is one of Suo-Oshima Town’s most popular tourist facilities, and singers connected to Tetsuro Hoshino—such as Sachiko Kobayashi and Ichiro Toba—also visit the museum. During commemorative events, there are sometimes live song performances as well.

Inside the museum there is a video hall where you can watch Hoshino’s works, a “song bar” where visitors themselves can sing, and the “Enka Box,” which houses around 1,600 of his representative songs. The setup allows you to fully immerse yourself in “Hoshino World.” One of the pleasures of sightseeing in Suo-Oshima Town is to sing the songs you learned at this memorial museum in high spirits while soaking in the island’s hot springs.

3. Learn the immigration history of Suo-Oshima and Hawaii “Japan–Hawaii Immigration Museum”

Suo-Oshima Town is home to a slightly unusual tourist facility: the Japan–Hawaii Immigration Museum. In 1885 (Meiji 18), Japan’s first overseas immigration began, and about 30% of those immigrants were people from Suo-Oshima, it is said. From then on, ties with Hawaii deepened, and especially with Kauai Island, with which the town still maintains exchanges today as sister islands. The “Japan–Hawaii Immigration Museum” was built against this background.

The building itself was originally the residence built by Mr. Fukumoto, a native of the town who emigrated to San Francisco and succeeded in the trade business, which the town acquired and relocated. It may be difficult to associate the exterior with Hawaii, but inside, materials that vividly document the lives of the immigrants are on display, and you can also learn about the history of exchanges that has been passed down to the present day. It is a valuable museum where you can discover an unexpected side of Suo-Oshima Town’s history.

4. Stay-type sports facility “Green Stay Nagaura”

Green Stay Nagaura is a facility unique to Suo-Oshima Town, which has a sister-island relationship with Kauai in Hawaii. Green Stay Nagaura is a stay-type sports complex that offers a wide range of sports: in addition to standard indoor sports facilities such as a multi-purpose sports ground and tennis courts, there are also a mountain bike course, a roller-skating area, and more.

The buildings are designed with Hawaii in mind: the visitor center is modeled after Kauai’s city hall, and the log houses serving as accommodation are designed to resemble Hawaiian homes. At Green Garden, a restaurant reminiscent of those on Kauai, you can enjoy their specialty “Mikan Nabeyaki Ramen” (mikan hot pot-style ramen).

Furthermore, a facility unique to Suo-Oshima Town, which is surrounded by the sea, is the Shioburo Health Bath. The bath uses seawater drawn from the Seto Inland Sea, heated for bathing, which gives a sensation of buoyancy and is said to be good for beauty and health. It will also soothe the fatigue of your travels.

◎ Summary

Suo-Oshima Town has produced many notable figures, not only Tetsuro Hoshino but also former Japan national football team player Daiki Iwamasa. It is also famous as a filming location for Kazue Fukiishi’s debut work “Tokimeki Memorial,” and Katazoegahama is one of the busiest beaches in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The island is dotted with many oddly shaped rocks such as Ganmon and Tateiwa, and it is popular as a scenic spot where you can enjoy the coastal beauty blessed with the landscapes of the Seto Inland Sea, the sunrise rising from the water’s surface, and the breathtaking views of sunsets that dye the islands red as the sun sinks.

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The sea, hot springs, performing arts, and mikan oranges. Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Suo-Oshima Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture