Why go
- City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
- Served by Yamaguchi Ube Airport (UBJ).
History
Shimonoseki is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The city used to be referred to as Bakan (馬関). As of 30 June 2023, the city had an estimated population of 248,193 in 128,762 households and a population density of 350 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 716.18 square kilometres (276.52 sq mi). It is the largest city in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the fifth-largest city in the Chūgoku region in terms of population. It is nicknamed the 'home of Fugu' for the locally caught and cooked pufferfish, and is the largest harvester of the pufferfish in Japan.
Where to stay
1-12 Dannouracho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 751-0814, Japan · instagram.com
2-1 Chofusotouracho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 752-0985, Japan · hotel-kazenoumi.co.jp
4-1 Arcaport, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0036, Japan · hoshinoresorts.com
3-16 Honmachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 801-0834, Japan · beds24.com
3-40 Hosoeshinmachi, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0017, Japan · dormy-hotels.com
9-11 Minatomachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 801-0852, Japan · premier.kenhotels.com
3 Chome-13-23 Takezakicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0025, Japan · sumire-ryokan.com
31-2 Nabecho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0006, Japan · sgh.co.jp
Japan, 〒751-0813 Yamaguchi, Shimonoseki, Mimosusogawacho, 8−8 下関ホテル関門の宿源平荘 · genpei-sou.com
11-28 Nishikimachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 801-0862, Japan · grand-base.jp
3-50 Hosoeshinmachi, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0017, Japan · superhotel.co.jp
1-14 Karatocho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0005, Japan · instagram.com
3-75 Mimosusogawacho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 751-0813, Japan · shimonoseki-manjuso.jp
1-7 Nishikimachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 801-0862, Japan · grand-base.jp
11-29 Sakaemachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 801-0863, Japan · portmoji.co.jp
Japan, 〒801-0841 Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, Moji Ward, Nishikaigan, 2 Chome−１１−2 · route-inn.co.jp
2 Chome-7-10 Buzendacho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0018, Japan · toyoko-inn.com
2-8 Mimosusogawacho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 751-0813, Japan
11-10 Hananocho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0014, Japan · plazahotel.co.jp
4 Chome-2-33 Takezakicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0025, Japan · viainn.com
3 Chome-11-2 Takezakicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0025, Japan · koko-hotels.com
1 Chome-4-1 Yamatomachi, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0067, Japan · washington.jp
4 Chome-4-1 Takezakicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0025, Japan · smile-hotels.com
2 Chome-31-54 Maeda, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 752-0997, Japan · umiiro.net
1 Chome-2-18 Miyadamachi, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0002, Japan · list.hayama-hotels.com
3 Chome-10-7 Takezakicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0025, Japan · s-prince.net
1 Chome-16-13 Takezakicho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0025, Japan · greenhotelshimonoseki.jp
Indoor
Indoor
Restaurants & places to go
Japanese, Udon, Restaurant · Wikipedia: ja:資さんうどん · map.sukesanudon.com
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 · 8, 下関市 · saizeriya.co.jp
Curry, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-20:30 · curry-honpo.com
Western, Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-02:00
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · maps.lotteria.jp
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · search.kfc.co.jp
Beef Bowl, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · maps.sukiya.jp
Sushi, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · maps.hama-sushi.co.jp
Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-23:00
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-20:00 Features: step-free access
Ramen, Restaurant · Ramen restaurant · yamanotaramen.com
Pasta, Restaurant · Pasta restaurant
Chinese, Gyoza, Restaurant · Chinese/Gyoza restaurant
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo, Th off · aimainakyoukai.com
Noodle, Restaurant · Noodle restaurant · 2929udon.co.jp
Fish, Japanese, Restaurant · Fish/Japanese restaurant · toyomarusuisan.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: 18:00-22:00 · 1, 北九州市 · instagram.com
Meat, Korean, Restaurant · Meat/Korean restaurant
Indian, Restaurant · Indian restaurant
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant
Cake, Curry, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Cake/Curry cafe
Fast Food · fast food
Ice Cream · ice cream
Japanese, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Curry, Restaurant · Curry restaurant
Western, Restaurant · Western restaurant
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 750-0036
Chicken, Restaurant · Opening hours: 17:30-22:30; Su off
Beef Bowl, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-15:00,17:00-21:00 · sushiyoukan.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: 11:00-18:00; Tu,We off · 北九州市, 801-0862
Steak House, Restaurant · Steak House restaurant
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant
Cafe · Opening hours: Th-Tu 11:00-23:00 · nine-shimonoseki.com
Noodle, Restaurant · Noodle restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant · mojirenga.jp
Indian, Restaurant · Indian restaurant
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant
Fast Food · fast food
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant
Western, Restaurant · Western restaurant
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Sushi, Restaurant · Sushi restaurant · senryou.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: takeaway
78 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Kitakyushu Airport (KKJ) 15 km to the centre
Kitakyushu, 40, JP — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 3 airlines (All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines Domestic, Star Flyer) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Tokyo (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 1 direct destination
- All Nippon Airways NH (A320) · 1 route: Tokyo*
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (737-800) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Star Flyer 7G (A320) · 1 route: Tokyo
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Yamaguchi Ube Airport (UBJ) 31 km to the centre
Ube, 35, JP — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 3 airlines (All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines Domestic) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Tokyo, Seoul (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 2 direct destinations
- All Nippon Airways NH (767) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Asiana Airlines OZ (A321) · 1 route: Seoul
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (737-800) · 1 route: Tokyo
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Ozuki Airfield 14 km to the centre
Shimonoseki, 35, JP
Getting there by ferry
Karato Pier
Ferry terminal · 0.2 km from the centre
下関港(唐戸桟橋)
Ferry terminal · 0.3 km from the centre
下関港国際ターミナル
Ferry terminal · 1.9 km from the centre · 下関市港湾局
門司港
Ferry terminal · 2.1 km from the centre
Marine gate Moji
Ferry terminal · 2.2 km from the centre · 関門汽船株式会社
舟島(巌流島)
Ferry terminal · 2.7 km from the centre
関門連絡船
Ferry route
巌流島連絡船
Ferry route
巌流島連絡船 (北九州(門司港)=>舟島(巌流島))
Ferry route · 関門汽船
六連島航路
Ferry route
小倉～馬島・藍島航路
Ferry route · 北九州市
若戸渡船
Ferry route · 北九州市
蓋井島航路
Ferry route
Busan - Shimonoseki
Ferry route · Kampu Ferry Co.,Ltd., Pugwan Ferry Co., Ltd.
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Yamaguchi Ube Airport (UBJ); 4 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: UBJ has direct flights to 2 destinations on 3 airlines (incl. Tokyo, Seoul). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Karato Pier, 0.2 km); routes include 関門連絡船, 巌流島連絡船, 巌流島連絡船 (北九州(門司港)=>舟島(巌流島)).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Shimonoseki, Japan. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
National rail
National rail
National rail
National rail
National rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Charter, management · Gulfstream, Global · Tokyo and Hong Kong business-jet operator.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.