Things to do with kids in Hagi

Things to do with kids in Hagi

1. See

   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

2. See

   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)

3. Do

   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

4. See

   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

5. See

   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.

6. See

   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

7. See

   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

8. See

   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.

9. See

   Koike Family Warehouse

   旧小池家土蔵

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

10. See

    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

11. See

    Kumaya Art Museum

    熊谷美術館・熊谷家住宅

    Located in the former residence of the salt-merchant Kumaya family, the museum features over 3000 items from the family's collection, such as paintings from Sesshu and a Siebold piano (the oldest piano in Japan).

    ¥700

12. See

    Meirin-kan

    明倫館

    Established by the Choshu-han, this school for gifted children used to be on the third floor of Hagi Castle, but moved to its own facilities in 1863. The school building is still in use as a part of elementary school. Visitors are free to tour the grounds, but not the interior.

13. See

    Tōkō-ji

    東光寺

    This is the family shrine of the Mori clan. The beautiful gate, belfry, and temple buildings show Chinese influence; behind the temple are the graves of several Mori warlords — and 500 stone lanterns to mark their power. It's a short walk east of Shoin Shrine.

    Closed · opens 8:30 am·¥300

14. See

    Yamamura Residence

    旧山村家住宅

    A wealthy family, the Yamamura's had their main house, a teahouse, and a storehouse around a central garden.

15. See

    Yamanaka Residence

    旧山中家住宅

    The Yamanaka family were local seafood salesmen. They sold from here as well as sending fish to buyers in Kansai. Visitors can see items from the former business used by the Yamanaka's.

    Closed · opens 9 am·Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Hagi (CC BY-SA 4.0).