Parks and the outdoors in Hagi

Parks and the outdoors in Hagi

1. See

   Ajio Falls

   阿字雄の滝

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

   Free

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

   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.

5. Eat

   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)

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Buy

   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.

9. Eat

   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

10. See

    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

11. See

    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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. See

    Kuchiba Residence

    口羽家住宅

    Built between the late 18th century and early 19th century, it's one of the oldest samurai residences in Hagi. It was home to one of the domain's top officials. The house has a nice view of the Hashimoto River.

    Closed · opens 9 am·¥100

15. Drink

    Seisei-an

    惺々庵

    A café with a beautiful Japanese garden, right by the Kikuya House. They have a selection of hagi-yaki on display.

    Closed · opens 9 am

16. See

    Shizuki Park

    指月公園 Shizuki-kōen

    Surrounding the castle ruins, this park is a popular spot for cherry blossom parties in the spring. Also here are a small shrine, a teahouse, the Jozangama pottery kiln (城山窯), and a hiking path leading up to the peak of Mt. Shizuki (about 140 m).

17. 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

18. See

    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 am·Free

19. 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.

20. See

    Yukawa Residence

    旧湯川家屋敷

    A samurai residence that uses water from the canal to form an attractive garden. The water is even directed into part of the house for domestic use.

    Closed · opens 9 am·¥100

21. Do

    Yuzuya Honten

    柚子屋本店

    The natsumikan is a citrus fruit that's grown in many local gardens, and squeezed into a tasty juice. At Yuzuya Honten, you can buy natsumikan and other local fruits whole, enjoy them as ice cream, or lend a hand at turning them into juice or marmalade. It's on a peninsula directly north of the city — either take a cab or walk west from JR Koshigahama Station.

    Closed · opens 9 am

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