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

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)

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

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 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

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

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

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

Masuda Residence

旧益田家物見矢倉

The Masuda from Masuda in Iwami Province lived here, but it is also believed to have been a secret spy location with a tower used to monitor who entered and exited the castle town.

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.

Myōjin Pond

明神池

A small pond at the foot of the mountain, which houses saltwater fish.

Ohitayama-tatara Iron Smelting Works

大板山たたら製鉄遺跡

Traditional iron-smelting technology (tatara) from the ancient Kibi Kingdom in Okayama, traditionally used for swords, was given new purpose in Hagi to produce iron for warships. The Heishin-maru is one of the ships known to be made with this iron. Today the ruins are listed as part of Hagi's World Heritage listing.

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

Sasanami Historic Preservation District

佐々並市伝統的建造物群保存地区

A small town built along the Hagi Okan (萩往還) in the Edo Period to connect the capital of Nagato Province (Hagi) to the capital of Suo Province (Hofu). It was used by travelers as a resting point with inns and shops. Many of the buildings still exist today.

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).