With a dynamic road splitting it from south-north, the Murotsu peninsula juts out into the Seto Inland Sea in the eastern part of Yamaguchi prefecture.

Connecting Mt. Oboshiyama and Mt. Oza, the route is used by local cyclists as a hill climbing course as it features extreme ups and lows with altitudes of 400-600 meters.

This time we’re taking you on a quick ride along the Murotsu Peninsula Skyline!

This is the starting point.

We drive past Hannya-ji Temple (link: https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/332) and head towards Mt. Oboshiyama.

An enormous windmill comes into view. There are 7 x 100 meter high windmills on the mountain.

Finally we reach the mountaintop!

It’s… it’s huge!

Looking up at it from nearby makes my neck hurt.

Though you might feel content with the view from the parking area (in the photo), the real show is only just beginning! We pass below the windmill and hurry over to the observation deck.

It offers a 360-degree panoramic view!

No matter what I do, the scale of both the view and the windmills is just too big for me to fit into one photograph.

It’s still too soon to be content?! Take a look at this!

An enormous slide has been set up at the observation deck.

Below you have a view over the sea. If you look up, you can see the large propellers turning around and around. It’s even more exhilarating than it is thrilling.

Next, we head to Mt. Ouza.

Picturesque scenery appears suddenly along the way, but we continue driving on towards the mountaintop.

There’s a large torii gate on the edge of the parking area near the peak, and beyond that, Shirakumo Inari Daimyojin Shrine.

From the main shrine building that stands by the precipitous cliffs, we have a view over the Seto Inland Sea!

Known as the ‘mountain of gods’, since ancient times Mt. Ouzan has been an object of worship. And the views from here are rather majestic, too.

Although I’ve only offered a brief introduction today, everything you see along the Skyline is just grand! Those of you who like to take photographs, be sure to bring a wide-angle lens!

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Oidemase! Come to Yamaguchi!

Murotsu Peninsula Skyline

With a total length of 20km, the Skyline runs along the ridge of the Murotsu Peninsula, which is lined with mountains such as Mt. Obashiyama and Mt. Ouza. Starting with Mt. Obashiyama’s observation deck with its 360-degree panoramic view, it allows you to enjoy a refreshing drive with islands spreading out before your eyes.

Location: 807-1 Saga, Hirao, Kumage district, Yamaguchi prefecture
http://www.hirao-kankou.net/huukei.html (Japanese)

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Masashi Fujimoto

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Written by

Masafumi Fujimoto

Masafumi Fujimoto Hi there! My name is Masafumi Fujimoto. Until the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, I was engaged in editing production at an advertising company in Tokyo. However, the earthquake was a turning point in my life and I headed home to Yamaguchi. When I arrived, I was extremely energized and motivated to help revitalize the region, but I had a hard time adjusting to the motivation level of the local people. Around that time I met an elderly lady who said: "It doesn't matter if all the people move away from the island; that's just the nature of things. Someday people will come back again." Lessening the tension I’d been feeling, those few words relieved me hugely, and I was able to finally adjust. Since then, I've been involved in writing and editing magazines, and working in advertisement production, as well as doing a little bit of farming. I also spend time walking around Setouchi searching for the many, many voices out there.

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