Riding Japan’s Edge | Yamaguchi Coast
Project 47: Episode 10 — Yamaguchi Prefecture
I rode Japan’s “Cursed” Road (Akiyoshidai Karst Road) and discovered the hidden side of the country tourists usually miss.
This solo travel documentary journeys through the quiet coastal roads and ancient history of Yamaguchi. From the Akiyoshidai Karst landscapes to the samurai streets of Hagi, this is a cinematic look at slow travel beyond the Tokyo-Kyoto tourist trail.
Where do you go when the map doesn’t give you answers?
In this episode of Project 47, I ride into Yamaguchi Prefecture, one of Japan’s quieter and least-talked-about regions. With no big expectations and no fixed plan, the journey becomes about following the road itself — through winding mountain passes, coastal towns, ancient bridges, limestone plateaus, and unexpected human connections along the way.
From the historic Kintaikyo Bridge to the vast underground world of Akiyoshido Cave, the open karst roads of Akiyoshidai, and the dramatic coastlines near Motonosumi Shrine and Tsunoshima, this ride is a reminder that some of the best journeys aren’t about ticking boxes — they’re about staying open to what comes next.
As weather closes in and plans change, this episode becomes less about destinations and more about momentum — and knowing when it’s time to keep moving.
⏱️ Timestamps – Project 47: Yamaguchi
00:00 – Where the Road Leads
00:19 – Entering Yamaguchi Prefecture (Leaving Miyajima)
01:26 – Kintaikyo Bridge (Five-arched wooden bridge)
02:04 – Back on the Road (Riding North)
04:10 – Akiyoshido Cave (Descending underground)
06:34 – Akiyoshidai Karst Road (The “Cursed” Road?)
09:05 – Heading to Hagi (Plans adapt)
09:49 – Hagi Samurai Town (Kikuya House)
11:33 – End of Day One
12:07 – Day Two Begins (Coastal route)
13:49 – Plans Change Again (Road closures)
15:03 – Motonosumi Shrine (Red Gates & Ocean)
17:43 – A Chance Meeting (The 74-Year-Old Legend)
19:16 – Riding to Tsunoshima
20:11 – Time to Keep Moving (Storm approaching)
21:57 – What’s Next (Ehime teaser)
🇯🇵 About Project 47
Project 47 is a solo motorcycle documentary series covering all 47 prefectures of Japan. This Japan road trip explores the real country beyond the tourist trail. From motocamping spots to hidden rural shrines, this series captures the essence of solo travel in Japan. If you enjoy cinematic motovlogs, Japan travel guides, or long-format motorcycle road trips (like Long Way Round or Itchy Boots), welcome to the journey.
Watch the full Project 47 playlist — my ride through all 47 prefectures of Japan:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmfZhaoecyj7cmIPW3d5RVHgljlKch4H
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RideThruJapan/
SUPPORT THE RIDE
Join Team Riders (¥140 / $1 per month):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7QUavyzNZwmN69oLfZxsUQ/join
📍 Locations featured in this episode:
Miyajima (departure from Hiroshima Prefecture)
Kintaikyo Bridge (Iwakuni)
Akiyoshido Cave
Akiyoshidai Karst Road
Hagi (historic samurai town)
Motonosumi Shrine
Tsunoshima & Tsunoshima Bridge
Coastal Yamaguchi Prefecture
🏍️ The Bike:
Triumph Scrambler 400x
#Project47
#JapanMotorcycle
#SoloMotorcycle
#MotorcycleAdventure
#JapanTravel
#Motovlog
#CinematicTravel
#RideJapan
#MotorcycleRoadTrip
#ExploreJapan
21件のコメント
山口県の自然、観光地でもある元乃隅神社、秋吉台や萩の素晴らしい風景が見られます。角島は日本の橋ランキング1位！2024年、ニューヨークタイムズでも行くべき観光地として取り上げられてましたね🎉
Wow Adam this is an amazing video. You’re a great storyteller also. 😊
I found your channel very recently, and honestly you mix all my favorite things, japanese travelling, motorcycles and amazing visuals and presentation, Ive been feeling very down recently and binging your videos and seeing your energy and cinematography just cheers me up so much! you're living MY DREAM!! keep doing these man they're amazing! hug from portugal
Once again a beautiful video ,the one thing I found on my many visits is ,it’s nice to see all the shrines and interesting places but for me just driving around Japan is heart warming too ,so much stunning scenery wherever you go and I have been lucky enough to be a passenger in a car,so I get to take it all in ,can’t wait to see where you take us in your next video 🙏🏻
Yamaguchi didn’t jump off the map for me — but the roads here kept pulling me forward.
I’m curious: have you ever traveled somewhere with no expectations and been surprised by it?
If this is your first time here, this episode is part of Project 47 — a ride through all 47 prefectures of Japan. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmfZhaoecygo5CoOwI7k06tKIk6CYe15
👍👍
Nice vlog Man. Watching from the Philippines 😊
oh dude, that Kursed road definitely was not cursed. Great video Adam. Hopefully once finished Japan maybe head over to Europe for a little tour.
I dream of riding around Japan. Awesome video and narrator, I feel like I am there riding with you. Good job and thank you sir. 👍
So next is Ehime?! I believe the old car is in Ozu ❤
Another great vid. Each place is beautiful and stunning and have their own unique vibe. And man, the cleanliness of the surroundings is surreal.
another gem Adam mate, fabulous camera angels and some real awesome roads in this video for sure loving the series 👍
One of your best videos so far! I love how chatty everyone is. The older people always have interesting things to share! Such a good vibe in this one!
Is there even a place in Japan without a decent view? Another epic ride.
Meanwhile in northern Japan it's buried in snow. Lucky to have such warm and dry weather
19:26 yo the colors!
Kintaikyo bridge from my hometown is one hour I ll back home march from us I talk son and grand kids
This seems to be a nice area. Great episode. Thank you for giving ideas. 🙂
Very good editing. Looks more beautiful than usual Japan!
Japan is so beautiful and your drone shots are great 👍 I have never been to a Lawson's before but saw them when I was there. I am more of a 7-11 guy lol 😆 That lady at Lawson's was very nice and concerned about that cave 😱Where is the US are you from?
Sublime, as always 🙌🏻🙏🏻