Tsunoshima Island

Tsunoshima is a small island off the Yamaguchi coast, reached by a 1.7-kilometer bridge that has become one of the most photographed road crossings in western Japan, particularly at sunset when the light turns the surrounding sea gold. The island itself is quiet, with a lighthouse on the southern tip that dates to 1876, a small beach with unusually clear water, and a handful of fishing-focused settlements. The whole island can be walked in under two hours. Combine a visit with the viewpoint on the mainland side of the bridge for the classic perspective. The drive along the Chugoku coastline to get here is good in its own right.