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Free things to do in Hagi

7 places in Hagi with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Free things to do in Hagi

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    Ajio Falls

    阿字雄の滝

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

    Free

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    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 amFree

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    Reverberating Furnace

    萩反射炉 Hansharo

    This massive furnace was built in 1858 for the production of modern weapons, but rarely used. It's partially in ruins today, but still an impressive sight.

    Free

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    Shōin Shrine

    松蔭神社 shōin jinja

    A Meiji-era shrine dedicated to Yoshida Shōin, a young samurai who taught many of the students that went on to become major statesmen in Meiji Japan. Yoshida himself would not see it, though; chafing under the policy of sakoku, he tried to persuade Commodore Perry to smuggle him out of Japan, was imprisoned, and was later executed after plotting against the shogunate. Within the grounds of the shrine, his school Shōka-sonjuku (松下村塾) is preserved. There is also a hall dedicated to his life story (09:00-17:00, ¥650).

    Closed · opens 8:30 amFree

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    Watanabe Kozo Residence

    渡辺蒿蔵旧宅

    Considered a leader in shipbuilding who helped construct the Tategami dock, said to have been the best dock in all of Asia at the time. In his youth, Watanabe studied at the Shoka Sonjuku before traveling to the United States and United Kingdom to study naval architecture. He returned to become one of the heads of the Nagasaki Shipyard. The house is larger than most in Hagi. In addition to the main house, there is also a storehouse, a tearoom, and a garden.

    Closed · opens 9 amFree

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    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 amFree

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    Kobayashi Residence

    旧小林家住宅

    A former inn along the Hagi Okan.

    Closed · opens 9 amFree

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