The problem is getting there. Once you get there you can certainly hike a bit and, if you have a bike, you can cycle a lot. And you can also get the infrequent local buses to get you to places where you can explore more by foot.
But getting there by public transport is going to be challenging.
There is a highway bus service that runs from Tsuwano to Hiroshima on that gets you there so you can get to the Muikaichi (六日市 ) Inter by that and there may be one from Yamaguchi city too.
There is an (infrequent) bus services to/from Masuda as well that goes to Hiroshima eventually. I think your best bet would be bus from Hiroshima, there seem to be various routes, but if it were me I'd use it as the overnight stop on this coast to coast bike course - https://www.kankou-shimane.com/cycling/en/cyclingroute/iwaiwaride/
What a beautiful place. Thanks for the suggestions on where to go and what to see.
If you like hiking it really is a beautiful area. And if you're OK with hills the cycling is good too - https://www.kankou-shimane.com/cycling/en/cyclingroute/yoshigatyou/
Also https://www.kankou-shimane.com/cycling/en/cyclingroute/iwaiwaride/ which I personally would not do precisely as the guide shows, because rt 9 is not a good road to ride on
Thanks for the tips.
Nice. I don't drive. Is it possible to explore the onsen and the area around on foot/public transport?
The problem is getting there. Once you get there you can certainly hike a bit and, if you have a bike, you can cycle a lot. And you can also get the infrequent local buses to get you to places where you can explore more by foot.
But getting there by public transport is going to be challenging.
There is a highway bus service that runs from Tsuwano to Hiroshima on that gets you there so you can get to the Muikaichi (六日市 ) Inter by that and there may be one from Yamaguchi city too.
Also there is a bus service from Iwakuni - see https://www.city.iwakuni.lg.jp/uploaded/life/106148_639509_misc.pdf and search for 六日市 - but those buses are infrequent and it looks like you need to change buses at least once from central Iwakuni
There is an (infrequent) bus services to/from Masuda as well that goes to Hiroshima eventually. I think your best bet would be bus from Hiroshima, there seem to be various routes, but if it were me I'd use it as the overnight stop on this coast to coast bike course - https://www.kankou-shimane.com/cycling/en/cyclingroute/iwaiwaride/
Thank you. Saved.