Kanmon Strait: The Boundary with Kyushu Where History and Scenery Intersect

Kanmon Strait: The Westernmost Strait of Honshu Inscribed with History

The Kanmon Strait between Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a narrow strait only 650 meters wide at its narrowest. Since ancient times it has been a key transportation hub connecting Honshu and Kyushu, and has been the stage for many historical events including the Genpei War, the duel on Ganryujima Island, and the Kanmon Strait bombardment incident of the Bakumatsu period.

Battle of Dannoura

In 1185, the final decisive battle between the Genji and Heike clans — the "Battle of Dannoura" — was fought in this strait. Bronze statues of Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Taira no Tomomori stand in Mimosusogawa Park, conveying this location's history to the present.

Ganryujima Island

"Ganryujima Island (Funajima)" floating in the Kanmon Strait is famous as the site where Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro dueled in 1612. It is currently uninhabited but can be reached by scheduled ferry from Shimonoseki, with bronze statues and duel monuments installed.

Kanmon Bridge and Kanmon Tunnel

Kanmon Bridge (total length 1,068m), which opened in 1973, is a suspension bridge connecting Honshu and Kyushu. Together with the Kanmon Tunnel (road and railway), there are two transit means. The Kanmon Tunnel Pedestrian Path (which can be walked) is 780m long, offering the rare experience of walking between Honshu and Kyushu.

Access

Sightseeing around the strait from JR Shimonoseki Station by foot or bus is possible. Karato Market and Akamagaseki Shrine are also nearby.