Hagi and Tsuwano driving guide: castle towns, Kasayama and Susa

The Hagi and Tsuwano area stretches from the Sea of Japan coast in Hagi and Abu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to the hills around Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture. This guide separates a drive between the two castle towns from a coastal drive to Mount Kasayama and Susa Hornfels.

If you want time to walk around both towns, leave the coastal stops for another day. The tables cover 6 roads, 10 sights and 3 roadside stations, distinguishing places to park from places reached on foot.

Map of the Hagi and Tsuwano area

The lines show the route from Hagi to Tsuwano and a separate coastal route from Hagi Seamart to Susa. Numbers mark the stops: green for sights and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a number to see its name.

Recommended drives

A first day from Hagi castle town to Tsuwano

Park at Chuo Park and walk around Hagi castle town before setting off. Visit Shoin Shrine and Hagi Seamart roadside station, then follow Prefectural Routes 11 and 13 and National Route 315 to Tsuwano Onsen Nagomi no Sato roadside station. Finish by driving up to the car park at Taikodani Inari Shrine.

The route is about 54.0km, with approximately 56 minutes of driving. Distances and times are calculated from map data and exclude traffic delays. Allow extra time for walking, meals, shrine visits and the return drive.

A separate coastal drive to Kasayama and Susa Hornfels

From Hagi Seamart, visit the summit of Mount Kasayama, then take National Route 191 past Abucho roadside station to the parking area by Tsuwabuki no Yakata in Susa. This route is about 40.2km, with approximately 35 minutes of driving. It excludes the return journey from Susa.

The road up Kasayama is narrow and cannot be used by large or medium-sized buses. From the car park, the walk to the Susa Hornfels cliffs is 500m, or about 8 minutes. Wear shoes suitable for walking on the uneven rocks.

Take the chairlift and walk to Tsuwano Castle Ruins

Reach Tsuwano Castle Ruins by chairlift and on foot. The chairlift ride takes about 5 minutes, followed by a walk of approximately 20 minutes to the ruins. The lift operates from 9:00 to 16:30, with the last descent at 16:20. Return tickets cost ¥700 for junior high school students and older, or ¥500 for elementary school children and younger.

For a walk along Tonomachi Street, use a paid car park such as Azemichi, Chuo or Tago. If you want to visit the shrine, castle ruins and Tonomachi, plan your departure from Hagi around the time needed for all three.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

At Hagi's 3 car parks at Chuo Park, Hagi Museum and Hagi Meirin Center, showing the receipt from your first payment lets you use the other 2 free on the same day.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

Sunset in Yamaguchi City on October 31, 2026 is at 17:23. This time does not account for the terrain in Hagi or Tsuwano, so leave a margin when planning walks and drives through the hills.

Planning around the castle towns

Choose a car park and explore on foot instead of moving your car between individual buildings. Use Chuo Park as your starting point in Hagi and a paid car park near Tonomachi in Tsuwano, leaving time for the walks.

Roads and restrictions as of October 28

Large and medium-sized buses cannot use the road to Kasayama's summit. Drivers of ordinary cars also need care when passing on the narrow road.

Before crossing the prefectural border, check both Yamaguchi and Shimane road information for roadworks and closures. The walking sections at Tsuwano Castle Ruins and Susa Hornfels are excluded from the driving routes.

Getting there and fuel

Fill up in Hagi before heading along the coast or toward Tsuwano. Hagi Chuo SS is at 488-1 Hijiwara, Hagi. It opens Monday–Saturday 7:00–19:00 and Sunday 8:00–18:00, and closes on January 1.

If you don't have a car

See the guides to driving permits in Japan and airport car rental pickup before arranging a car.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Hagi and Tsuwano in one day?

The route from Hagi castle town via Shoin Shrine and Hagi Seamart to Nagomi no Sato and Taikodani Inari Shrine is about 54.0km, with approximately 56 minutes of driving. To leave time for walking around both towns, save the coastal stops at Kasayama and Susa for another day.

Can I drive to the Susa Hornfels cliffs?

Continue on foot from the car park. The path from the Tsuwabuki no Yakata side is 500m, taking about 8 minutes to reach the cliffs. Watch your footing on the rocks.

How much walking is needed for Tsuwano Castle Ruins?

Even with the chairlift, the walk from the top station takes about 20 minutes. Return in time for the last descent at 16:20.

Where should I park for Hagi castle town?

Chuo Park parking has 146 spaces for ordinary cars and costs ¥310 per entry. It is open 8:00–18:00, and you can walk into the castle town from here.

Can I shop at the roadside stations on winter evenings?

Hagi Seamart closes at 17:00 from November to February. The local produce market at Tsuwano Onsen Nagomi no Sato opens 9:00–21:00, but closes at 17:00 on Thursdays.

Nearby areas and guides

• Driving in Japan: permits and documents
• Airport car rental pickup