Hagi

Aibagawa Canal

藍場川

It was built for transportation of goods, and also to supply water for extinguishing fires. Today, the path along the canal makes for a nice stroll.

Ajio Falls

阿字雄の滝

A unique waterfall that falls down columnal joints from the Abu Volcanoes.

Free

Ajiro

あじろ

Kaiseki sets of the best of the local seafood catch. May not be suitable for single diners.

Thu-Tue 11:30-14:00, 17:00-21:00, closed Wed·¥2,900-¥15,500

Aoki Shusuke Residence

青木周弼旧宅

The home of Aoki Shusuke (1803–1863), a doctor and prominent scholar in Dutch medicinal studies. He was the personal doctor of the feudal lord Takachika Mori and treated Takasugi Shinsaku, who would light the spark that would lead to the end of the Tokugawa, for smallpox at the age of 10. The house is divided into the public doctor's office and the family area.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥100

Asa Mōri Samurai Residence

旧厚狭毛利家萩屋敷長屋

A longhouse dating back to 1856 belonging to the Asa Mōri family, descendants of Mōri Motonari who were granted land in Asa (present-day Sanyo-Onoda). It was part of a larger estate that included the main house and other buildings however, none of the other buildings remain. Since it is a longhouse, each section is opened as their own exhibit. As you walk from one end to the other, you can see inside and learn about the house and Hagi samurai life.

¥220 (includes entrance to Hagi Castle)

Boat Cruise

萩八景遊覧船

The Hagi Tourist Association runs pleasant cruises on the Hashimoto River and the Sea of Japan, with a guide to direct attention to the Eight Fine Views.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥1200 adults, ¥600 kids

Chomon Gorge

長門峡

The gorge was featured in the ukiyoe series Selected Views of Japan by Hasui Kawase in 1922 and recognized as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1923. The gorge follows the Abu River from Yamaguchi to Hagi via a 5.1km hiking trail.

Daishō-in

大照院

The Mori warlords who aren't at Toko-ji are buried here - along with the graves of several retainers, who committed seppuku upon the death of their masters. The atmosphere at Daisho-in is strikingly calm, though, compared to the pomp of Tokoji. Daishoin is listed among the temples of the Chugoku 33 Temple Pilgrimage.

Closed · opens 8:30 am·¥300

Ebisugahana Shipyard

恵美須ヶ鼻造船所跡

The shogunate had banned shipbuilding in the provinces to avoid uprisings however, as outsiders took more interest in Japan, the ban was lifted in 1853 and within a few years the Choshu Domain began building warships with new Western technology from Russia and the Netherlands. The ruins of the shipyard were registered as part of Hagi's World Heritage listing.

Former Hagi Domain Boathouse

旧萩藩御船倉

A structure built to house the ships that were being constructed to protect Hagi from nautical attacks. The sea once reached the boathouse, so ships could enter and exit the port.

Only open during special periods, but it can always be viewed from the outside

Fujitaya

ふじたやそば店

A local institution — though a bit tricky to find — Fujitaya serves hot tempura and other dishes, but the specialty is seiro-soba, in which tasty soba noodles are delivered to your table in a steaming basket.

Closed · opens 11 am·¥700

Grill Restaurant Kenran

網焼きレストラン 見蘭

A grill restaurant known for Kenran Beef from a local farm. It can be eaten as steak, yakiniku, and in other dishes. In the same complex, they also have the Midoriya Honten, which in addition to offering meat to buy directly, they have foods that you can eat while you walk, such as croquettes and fried beef cutlets, as well as takeaway bentos, all of which feature their signature Kenran Beef.

Restaurant 17:00-22:00, Midoriya Honten 17:00-22:00, lunch by reservation 11:30-14:00 (closed Tue)

Hagi Castle

萩城跡 Hagi-jō

Hagi Castle was built in 1604 by the Mōri Clan serving as the political center of the Chōshū Domain for over 250 years. After the Chōshū helped topple the shogunate, they took the lead the nation in modernization. As leaders, they wanted to set an example for everyone by dismantling a primary symbol of the feudal era in their own domain; Hagi Castle. Stone walls, the moat, and gardens mark the remains of the castle today. Plum blossoms line the moats and cherry blossoms bloom throughout the castle grounds in the late winter and spring respectively. Admission includes the Mōri House, which is just south of the park.

Apr-Oct 08:00-16:30, Nov-Feb 08:30-16:30, March 08:00-18:00·¥220 adults, ¥110 children

Hagi Christian Martyrs Memorial Park

萩キリシタン殉教者記念公園

The park contains the graves of Christians exiled to Hagi from Nagasaki in 1868 with a monument for Christian martyrs. It is also associated with the story of Kumagai Motonao and Amano Motonobu. During the construction of Hagi Castle, the two men were accused of stealing stones meant to be used to make the castle walls causing a 2 month delay in the castle's construction. Mōri Terumoto, who worked directly under the Tokugawa, had the two men and their entire families killed over the incident however, rumors at the time suggested the two men may have been killed for being hidden Christians and the stolen stones story was fabricated as a cover up.

Hagi Museum

萩博物館

Built in 2004, this museum has exhibitions about samurai Yoshida Shoin and Takasugi Shinsaku.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥500 adults, ¥300 students, ¥100 children

Hagi Pudding

萩ぷりん亭

As the name suggests, they make their own puddings that you can purchase as a unique local souvenir. They also sell soft-serve that you can eat while you walk.

Hagi Samurai

萩侍

Hiroshima okonomiyaki made with sauce from Mihara (where the owner is from) and noodles from Onomichi. Food and drinks are served by "real" samurai with authentic chonmage, the shaved side and topknot hairstyle worn by samurai.

Tue-Sat19:30-27:00, Sun 16:00-21:00

Hagi Seaside Market

萩しーまーと Hagi shīmāto

A complex of shops and restaurants that sell fresh seafood and hagi-yaki.

Closed · opens 9:30 am

Hagi Uragami Museum

山口県立萩美術館・浦上記念館

Features displays of Asian pottery and Japanese ukiyo-e (wood-block prints).

Closed · opens 9 am·Adult ¥400, special exhibitions cost extra

Hirobumi Ito House

伊藤博文旧宅 itō hirobumi kyūtaku

The former residence of Hirobumi Itō, the aforementioned first Prime Minister of Japan, and himself a former Shoin student. He served four terms as prime minister and drafted the Meiji Constitution. After serving as Prime Minister, he went on to secure the signing of the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907, which gave Japan power over Korean affairs, and instated himself as Resident-General of Korea. Although Ito intended to make Korea a protectorate, a vote for annexation and internal pressure from the Imperial Army led him to agree to annex it. It didn't end up mattering, though, because his initial hesitancy was enough to get him ousted from his position by more rabid supporters. A few months after his ousting, he was assassinated on his way to meeting a Russian diplomat by a Korean nationalist. He was featured on the 1000 yen banknote from 1963-1986. Here, you can not only see his childhood home but the residence he built in Tokyo was moved here and placed beside it. Even without knowing his story, his journey to higher status is clear when comparing the houses side-by-side.

Closed · opens 9 am·Free

Hotori Tei

庭園カフェ 畔亭

Lunch sets in a lovely garden setting, in Jokamachi. Later in the evening, the same folks run Sam's Irish Pub (see Drink).

Closed · opens 11 am·¥1600

Kakure Tsubaki

かくれ椿

A lunch-only curry restaurant that also serves hot sandwiches.

Closed · opens 11 am

Kannon-in

観音院

Part of the Chugoku 33 Temple Pilgrimage, Kannon-in, also known as Tamae Kannon (玉江観音), was built overlooking the Hashimoto River. It is said that private meetings were held here by some of Hagi's most prominent and influential figures in the years leading up to the fall of the shogunate. The temple offers an incredible view of Mount Shizuki, the castle town, and the Sea of Japan.

Closed · opens 8 am

Kasayama

笠山

It is the smallest active volcano in East Asia, and offers panoramic views of the Sea of Japan. Look for the lovely camellia flowers during February and March.

Katsura Taro Residence

桂太郎旧宅

The second-longest serving Prime Minister of Japan who served from 1901 to 1913 and the first to be removed from office after a no-confidence vote, this is his childhood home. He studied at the Meirinkan from here. He was well-accomplished before becoming Prime Minister as a general in the Sino-Japanese War and the Governor-General of Taiwan. As Prime Minister, he oversaw Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese War and the annexation of Korea. His popularity waned as the public believed he was more concerned with military expansion than with improving domestic life. Eventually the Diet also lost faith with a no-confidence vote. The house has a nice garden with a statue of Katsura Taro.

Kido Takayoshi's Childhood Home

木戸孝允旧宅

A student of Shoin Yoshida at the local Meirinkan, later in life, at the behest of mentor Sakamoto Ryoma, Kido Takayoshi (1833 – 1877) joined Takamori Saigo and Toshimichi Okubo to form the new government during the Meiji Restoration and establish the Five Charter Oath, which abolished the provinces and created the modern prefectures.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥100

Kikuya House

菊屋家住宅 Kikuya-ke Jūtaku

The Kikuya merchant family lived in style, with a large house and a lovely garden. Today, their house is open to the public with over 5,000 period items on display, from dolls to a vintage phone booth.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥500 adults, ¥300 students, ¥200 children

Kodama Residence Garden

旧児玉家庭園

Former residence of a high-ranking samurai. It has its own docking port connected to the Hashimoto River that allowed the family to come and go by boat directly from their home. A nice garden was built around the docking port that you can still see today.

Koike Family Warehouse

旧小池家土蔵

A storehouse believed to have been used to house cargo from Hamasaki Port.

Kubota Residence

旧久保田家住宅

The Kubota family were kimono merchants who moved to Hagi from Omi Province (present-day Shiga). Subsequent generations abandoned kimono-making to start a sake brewery.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥100