Shimonoseki

Akama Jingū

赤間神宮

A shrine dedicated to the loser of the Battle of Dan-no-ura, Emperor Antoku of the Heike Clan, whose tomb is on the premises. Aside from the impressive vermilion gate, look for Hoichi Hall and the statue of Mimi nashi Hoichi (Earless Hoichi), who features in a well-known ghost story by Lafcadio Hearn.

Closed · opens 9 am·Free

Chofu Garden

長府庭園

An elegant Japanese garden built for a chief retainer of the Mori clan, encircled from the outside world by trees and a small mountain.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥200

Chōfu Mōri Residence

長府毛利邸, chōfu mōri yashiki

Built in 1903 by the ruling Mori family, this palatial estate and its gardens were deemed worthy of a visit by the Emperor Meiji a few years later.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥200

Daimaru

大丸下関店

Old department store. Aside from the many restaurants clustered herein, there's a Starbucks (Su-Th 08:00-17:00, F Sa to 22:00) for coffee hounds and a beer garden on the 8th floor rooftop garden (late May to early September: 17:30-21:00) with bar food and all-you-can-drink for ¥3300.

Former Akita Company Building

旧秋田商会ビル Akita Shokai

This European-style building originally housed the offices of a shipping company. There's a particularly nice Japanese garden on the roof; the first floor has sightseeing information and a gift shop.

Closed · opens 9:30 am

Former British Consulate

旧下関英国領事館

Built in 1906, with the small Shimonoseki Ijinkan Museum inside and a tea house in the back.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00

Ganryūjima

巌流島

This tiny island was the site of an epic samurai duel between Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojirō, two master swordsmen. Kanmon Kisen runs ferries from Karato Pier (ten minutes, ¥900 round-trip).

Green Mall

グリーンモール

Because of the many Korean shops and BBQ restaurants gathered here, this stretch of Takezaki-cho and its side streets are often called "Little Busan" or simply "Koreatown". Many stores will even accept South Korean currency.

Hinoyama

火の山

At 268 meters high, Hinoyama offers good views of the Kanmon Straits. There's a ropeway to the peak if you'd prefer not to hike (¥200/400 one-way/return), and a pleasant park at the top. And since there's not enough of them in the city below, you'll find a fugu restaurant (11:00-21:00) and souvenir shop (09:00-18:00) as well. Buses run from JR Shimonoseki Station.

Iminomiya-jinja

忌宮神社

This modest temple comes alive between August 7-13, when a festival is held in honor of the Emperor Chūai and Empress Jingū — particularly wild at night.

Free

Kaikyokan Aquarium

海響館

Dolphins, penguins, and sea lions join over 100 varieties of pufferfish, with four floors of exhibits about marine science and shows throughout the day. It's right next to the Kanmon Bridge, and buses run directly there.

Closed · opens 9:30 am·¥1800 adults, ¥900 children

Kaikyō Yume Tower

海峡ゆめタワー

Standing 153 meters tall, the Kaikyou Yume Tower features an observation deck in the glass sphere at the top, with panoramic views over the city and the Kanmon Straits. Internet access is available at the Yamaguchi International Exchange Association (Tu-Su 10:00-20:00).

Closed · opens 9:30 am·Observation deck ¥600 adults, ¥300 children

Kamon Wharf

カモンワーフ

There are almost two dozen restaurants and cafes on the first and second floors, with plenty of crab, sushi, and (of course) fugu, but also Korean food and okonomiyaki as well.

Most restaurants 11:00-22:00·Prices vary by restaurant

Karato Ichiba Fish Market

唐戸市場

Tons of fresh seafood — not only fugu. There are some fabulous sushi bars upstairs and a lawn on the roof to relax on. Get there early in the morning for the best selection of sushi/sashimi on the market floor — buses run from JR Shimonoseki Station beginning at 5:55AM weekdays.

04:00-12:00 or so·Entrance is free; most fish will cost between ¥100-500

Kitagawa

ふく処 喜多川

A popular fugu restaurant (since 1871) with locations in the Karato area (7-11 Nabe-cho, +81 83-232-3212) and a bit northeast, off Route 57 (4-9 Akama-cho, +81 83-232-3211).

Closed · opens 11 am·Lunch from ¥3150, dinner ¥5250

Kōzan-ji

功山寺

Although it is Japan's oldest zen temple (and a national treasure), founded in 1327, Kozan-ji has been known through the years as a place for warriors to rouse themselves before battle. The Chofu Museum (Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, ¥200) is on the grounds of the temple, with displays about the Meiji Restoration.

Closed · opens 9:30 am·Free

Nabe-cho Post Office

下関南部町郵便局

Built in 1900, this is the oldest post office still in service in Japan.

Nogi-jinja

乃木神社

A shrine dedicated to General Nogi Maresuke, a key leader in the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. Ashamed by the number of lives lost under his command in the latter, Nogi petitioned the Emperor Meiji for permission to commit seppuku. His petition was denied; the Emperor told Nogi that "if you insist on killing yourself, let it be after I have departed from the world." When the Emperor did depart, seven years later, Nogi was still ready; he committed seppuku shortly after the Emperor's funeral entourage left the palace. As a result, Nogi came to be seen as a symbol of the end of the samurai code.

Sea Mall

シーモール

One of the biggest shopping centers in western Japan, with 170 stores including Best Denki and DeoDeo (electronics), Daimaru (department store), and Daiso (¥100 knick-knacks), as well as loads of restaurants.

Hours vary by store

Shimonoseki City Art Museum

下関市立美術館

Mostly exhibits of work (paintings and other media) by contemporary Japanese artists, but there are some traveling Western exhibitions and displays of Asian relics as well.

Tue-Sun 09:30-16:30·¥200

Shimonoseki Municipal Archaeological Museum

下関市立考古博物館

Displays of Kofun and Yayoi-era archaeological finds (as far back as 500 B.C.), including a few outdoor mounds, pit dwellings, and tombs.

Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00·Free

Shinoda

しのだ

Locally-grown fruits and vegetables surround your fugu. The fugu mini kaiseki includes a pretty good amount of food for ¥5000, but if money is not an issue, deluxe sets run as high as ¥28,500.

Closed · opens noon

Shunpanrō Hall

春帆楼

The Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ended the First Sino-Japanese War, was signed on this site in 1895. There is a small museum (built in 1936) dedicated to the treaty with period furniture and some relics. It's next to an expensive ryokan (see Sleep).

Free

Shunrakukan

旬楽館

Among the more affordable places for sit-down fugu, with nice mini-sets from ¥3800, and plenty of udon, tempura, and sushi dishes in the ¥2000 range for your friend who thinks you're nuts for wanting to eat a poisonous fish.

Closed · opens 11 am

Sumiyoshi-jinja

住吉神社

A complex of shrines dedicated to the Shinto gods of the sea and sailing, with a main hall that has been designated a national treasure. There are displays of ancient scrolls, metalworks, and other relics. It's about a 20-minute walk from Shin-Shimonoseki Station, and can be reached from the Ichinomiya bus stop.

Taketsubo

竹つぼ

This small, personable restaurant provides a kettle per table and invites diners to fry some tempura, with various spices on the side for dipping. The owner is a trained sommelier and will be keen to recommend a bottle of wine.

Closed · opens 5:30 pm·Dinner from ¥4000

Uomasa Honjin

魚正本陣

While you're drinking, order à la carte from their menu of sashimi (including fugu and whale), nabe, and various fried items. And if you'd like to mix your poisons, ask for the fugu fin sake.

Closed · opens 5 pm

Yabure Kabure

やぶれかぶれ

Fugu in the boozing district — look for the big blue & white fugu head out front.

Closed · opens 11 am·Lunch sets from ¥3100; dinner ¥5250-12,600

Bakan Festival

馬関まつり, bakan matsuri

The Bakan Festival takes over the city in the last weekend of August, with food and night markets lining the streets between JR Shimonoseki Station and the Karato area, culminating in a group dance. Bakan is an old name for Shimonoseki.

Kaikyo Festival

海峡まつり, kaikyō matsuri

With re-enactments of naval battles and other historical intrigues.

Annually on May 3rd