Chūgoku region, Administrative region in western Honshu, Japan.
The Chūgoku region occupies the western end of Honshū island and spreads across five prefectures, with the Seto Inland Sea to the south and the Japan Sea coast to the north. Its terrain alternates between coastal plains, mountain ranges running east to west, and narrow valleys opening toward the sea.
The division between the region's coastal south and mountainous north shaped its development and access to trade routes for centuries. After World War II, the southern coast grew through industry and shipbuilding while the northern side remained more rural.
The Iwami Kagura dance performances in Shimane Prefecture demonstrate regional storytelling traditions through intricate movement patterns, masks, and traditional musical instruments.
Trains link the larger cities along the southern coast, while smaller towns in the north often require local buses or regional connections. Visitors planning to explore remote coastal areas or mountain villages should allow extra travel time.
In Tottori, sand dunes stretch for several kilometers along the coast and form one of the country's few true desert landscapes. Visitors walk on the ridges and watch the wind constantly draw new patterns into the sand.
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