All the way on the southern end of Honshu Island, just north of Kyushu, is Yamaguchi Prefecture. Often cited as “the Kyoto of the West,” Yamaguchi boasts a very rich history, blessed with many ancient structures like temples and shrines while maintaining a charming feel that allows for a more intimate experience. Yamaguchi is fully accessible with the National Japan Rail Pass as well as the JR West All Area Pass that allows for unlimited travel via Shinkansen, local train, and more on the western half of Honshu Island! Visitors can take the Shinkansen bullet train out to Shin-Yamaguchi Station and use that as a basis to get to other parts of the prefecture.