The Regional Landscape Print
中国
Where gods descended and legendary creatures still lurk in the shadows
Located at the western tip of Honshu, Chugoku is a land of two faces: the industrial and sunny San'yo coast on the Inland Sea, and the rural, myth-steeped San'in coast on the Sea of Japan. It is the setting for many of Japan's foundational myths and oldest shrines.
Chugoku plays a central role in Japanese mythology; Izumo is where the gods are said to gather annually. Historically, it was dominated by powerful clans like the Mori. In modern history, Hiroshima's tragic destruction and rebirth as a City of Peace is a defining event for the region and the world.
The San'in region in the north is known for its ghost stories and yokai folklore—Shigeru Mizuki, creator of 'GeGeGe no Kitaro', was born here. The region preserves ancient aesthetics and crafts, largely untouched by mass tourism. The San'yo side is more modernized but retains historic sites like the floating torii gate of Miyajima.
The Chugoku Mountains run east-to-west, dividing the region. The northern San'in side features rugged coasts and dunes (like Tottori Sand Dunes), while the southern San'yo side enjoys a mild, Mediterranean-like climate along the calm Seto Inland Sea.
Legendary transfer of the land from Okuninushi to the heavenly gods, centered in Izumo.
The final battle of the Genpei War, taking place in the Shimonoseki Strait, marking the rise of the samurai.
The tragic atomic bombing leads to the city's reconstruction as a global beacon for peace.
