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Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi Prefecture, in the western most part of Honshu (Japan's main island) played a pivotal in the launching of the historic Meiji Restoration and is presently a cultural exchange hub with adjacent Asian countries.
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| Hagi |
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| Astride a delta in the north of Yamaguchi Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan, Hagi City is the former capital of the influential Mori clan. Vestiges of the castle remain and the town itself is so well preserved, a map in use during the Edo Period is still current today. |
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Historic Town
 Hagi City is valued as a well-preserved former castle town and appreciated for 'Hagi Ware', a fine local pottery. It is the former capital of the 'Mori clan' (feudal lords) who played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Edo Shogunate thus bringing to a close Japan's feudal age (second half of the 19th century). Terumoto Mori, a 'samurai' ruler, built the Hagi Castle in 1604, and through the Edo Period (1603-1868), the town served as the capital of the Mori clan (feudal lords) governing present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture (formerly 'Choshu') for about 260 years prospering until the administration was moved to Yamaguchi City in 1863. The ruling lord and his family occupied the castle itself while his retainers and administrators resided in the nearby samurai quarters of the castle town, 'Jokamachi'. Framed by the white walls and wooden gates of former samurai mansions, several lanes are beautifully preserved in the 'Jokamachi' district of Hagi today. The facades of streets, massive old samurai residences, mud walls, 'Namako-bei' (unique black and white walls) retain the potent atmosphere of a castle town during the historic Edo Era. The Meiji Restoration, in the late 19th century provided the transition stage from feudalism to modern Japan and Hagi proudly provided many capable men, such as Shoin Yoshida (the pioneer of 'Meiji Restoration'), Takayoshi Kido and Hirobumi Ito with leading roles in the construction of today's Japan. Providentially escaping natural disasters and war damage, the town's structure and numerous historic places are so well preserved the entire municipality is a living museum. A leisurely stroll through a magnificent historic town set in a beautiful natural location is a grand pleasure.
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| Sightseeing in Hagi |
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| 'Shoka-son-juku': A private school where Shoin Yoshida taught and produced many young scholars subsequently active in the "Meiji Restoration" |
Birthplace of Shinsaku Takasugi, who later became an important leader in the overthrow of the Shogunate. |
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| Hagi Museum displays numerous historical mementos and records of the Meiji Restoration including a letter from Shoin Yoshida and Shinsaku Takasugi's cavalry regiment's flag. |
The area called 'Jokamachi' in the city centre retains historical samurai and merchant residences built under the ruling lord's patronage. |
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| Some 500 stone lanterns are lit during the festival of 'Mantoe' at Tokoji Temple on August 15. |
'Yamaguchi Prefectural Hagi Art Museum-Uragami Memorial Museum' holds and exhibits about 5,000 'Ukiyoe' works including Hokusai and Utamaro. |
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| Experience Hagi-yaki |
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Hagi Ware has 4 centuries of history dating to Korean potters invited to this area by the Mori fiefdom. Created with a plain and deep texture, Hagi Ware has long been cherished as fine utensils for Japan's ancient tea ceremony. Presently, some 100 kilns are scattered around the city many of them with small exhibition rooms. Some Hagi pottery studios provide visitors with a hands-on experience of making tea cups and bowls. It's an enjoyable opportunity to experience one facet of Japanese traditional culture.
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| Shimonoseki |
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| Amid the Kanmon Straits, scenic Shimonoseki City has witnessed numerous important historical events in the great history of Japan. |
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| Favorably located at the western tip of 'Honshu', Shimonoseki City provides a land and sea transportation hub as well as a convenient gateway to the Asian Continent. The city's geographical advantage gave it ample opportunities to regularly appear on the historical stage of Japan and this rich past is reflected in abundant and well-preserved historical sites and cultural properties. Well documented in Japanese history books, the 'Gempei' Battle (the Battle of 'Dan-no-ura') in 1185 in which the Heike clan was decimated by the Genji clan became a major turning point pushing Japan from an aristocratic centered society to a samurai dominated society. Akama Shrine commemorates the eight-year-old Emperor Antoku whose ship sank in the ocean at the losing battle; as well, Kozanji Temple and Sumiyoshi Shrine are important cultural assets designated as a national treasure site. In 'Chofu', visitors can visit a castle town and admire old samurai residences and a series of mud walls built during the Edo Era. Last but not least, the city is also marvelously scenic.
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| Sightseeing in Shimonoseki |
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| Kanmon Bridge (1068 meters) connects Honshu and Kyushu islands; seen from Mt.Hinoyama the night view offers a brilliant panoramic scene. |
Simulating the tidal current of the Kanmon Straits, this huge aquarium offers the largest display of blowfish in the world and displays the rare skeletal remains of the blue whale, the planet's biggest. |
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| 'Sentei-sai', a magnificent festival is held every May 3rd to commemrate the Heike clan at the battle of 'Dan-no-ura'. |
An impressive 143 m. in height, this spherical observatory offers a magnificent panoramic view of the area. |
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| Fuku Cuisine |
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Shimonoseki boasts of Japan's finest and abundant offerings of 'Fugu' (blowfish), truly a gourmet's delight. Called 'Fuku' (good luck), this fish brings good fortune and visitors enjoy the various flavors in delicately arranged plates of 'sashimi' (raw fish), 'Fuku Nabe' (cooked in a pot) and 'fuku' in rice porridge representing the area's traditional cuisine.
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Access to Yamaguchi
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