Travel / Tourism Spots in Yamaguchi / Hofu Area

  • Mohri Garden
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    4.0
    65 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Houfushi Tatara 1-15-1
    The Mohri Garden is a large garden, covering an area of 84,000 square meters, which has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. This is a garden arranged so that visitors walk around a central pond; various features—including specially positioned groups of rocks, plants, grass lawns, stone bridges and footpaths—have been arranged around the Hyotan-ike Pond. The most visually impressive part of the Garden is the area of level garden in front of the reception and study room. The Mohri Garden is also famous as a marvelous place to view autumn foliage; the autumn leaves are at their best between mid-November and late November each year.

    In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful garden in Japan. Though it is not something historical like many gardens in Kyoto, it is certainly a good example of Japanese garden which is inspired...

  • The Sesshu Garden at Joei-ji Temple
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    4.0
    83 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Miyanoshimo 2001-1
    According to tradition, the Sesshu Garden was designed around 500 years ago by the famous painter-monk Sesshu Toyo as the garden for what was then the villa of the local lord Ouchi Masahiro. A temple was later built on the site of the villa. The Sesshu Garden is located on the north side of the Hon-do (Main Hall) of the temple, the name of which was changed from the Myoki-ji Temple to the Joei-ji Temple. The Garden has been designated as a National Historic Site and as a National Site of Scenic Beauty. This traditional Japanese-style garden with forested hills behind it on the eastern, western and northern sides features a pond with four artificial islands in it, surrounded by carefully-arranged rocks and a “dry waterfall” of stones; visitors get a real sense of the culture of the Muromachi period when the garden was built.

    I visited the Jyoei Temple in the evening, shortly before closing. There was an entrance fee, but I felt it was worth it. The temple grounds and temple itself is just beautiful! There is a small...

  • Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum
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    3.5
    40 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Kameyamachou 3-1
    Built on the site of the former Kameyama campus of the Faculty of Economics, Yamaguchi University, the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum is a public art museum with a strong local flavor that is closely integrated with the local community. The Museum’s collections are oriented toward artists with a connection to Yamaguchi Prefecture; for example, they include works from Kazuki Yasuo’s “Siberia Series,” works by Kobayashi Wasaku, etc. The collections also include many outstanding Nihonga paintings (including the “Landscape Scroll After Kegong Gao,” which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property) and photographic works, etc. The Museum holds several exhibitions of works from its own collections and special exhibitions every year. The bright, cheerful cafe facing the central atrium is very popular with visitors.

    ちょうど雪舟展を開催していて 山口に来たのだから せっかくなので行ってみた 時間予約要 学芸員の説明動画が見れる パッドを無料で貸してくれます 作品の前のQRコードを読み取ると 動画が始まります 少々説明動画が長くて はしょってしまいました 空いていたので 雪舟を堪能できよかったです

  • Roadside Station Kirara Ajisu
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    4.0
    30 Reviews
    Transportation
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Ajisu 509-88
    "At this Road Station in Yamaguchi City, visitors can buy fresh seafood caught in the waters off Yamaguchi, meat at the meat market and fresh local produce. Many souvenirs made from the Ajisu brand pumpkin ""Kurimasaru"" are available. There is also an eat-in area to enjoy soft-serve ice creams and snacks."

    いわゆる道の駅だが、山口市近辺の地場産品のほか、お土産になりそうな地域の特産品も売っていた。特に水産物については、加工されたものが多く、持って帰ってすぐ食べるもよし、お土産にするもよし、という印象だった。

  • Nakahara Chuya Memorial Museum
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    4.0
    64 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Yudaonsen 1-11-21
    This is a memorial museum located in Yamaguchi City, the birthplace of the poet, Chuya Nakahara. It has been built on the site of the Nakahara clinic, Chuya’s childhood home. The museum exhibits manuscripts and personal belongings of Chuya Nakahara. There is a permanent exhibition where visitors can view books on the first floor, and visitors can enjoy CDs, a document search room and special exhibitions on the second floor.

    展示品など多すぎず、ちょうどよく感じました。 この時代の文芸作家たちとの交流、彼の人生の経過も書かれていて、作品と言うより彼の人生について知ることが出来たと思います。

  • Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine
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    3.0
    8 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Houfushi Matsuzakichou 14-1
    The Hofu Tenman-gu Shrine is a Shinto Shrine in Hofu City that is dedicated to the poet and statesman Sugawara no Michizane, deified as Tenjin, the God of Learning. It ranks alongside the Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine in Kyoto and the Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine in Fukuoka as one of the Three Great Tenjin Shrines of Japan. As Sugawara no Michizane had been very impressed by Hofu while traveling to Dazaifu in Kyushu, it was believed that his spirit had returned to Hofu after his death, and so the first Tenman-gu Shrine in Japan was built here in 904. The imposing vermillion-painted Ro-mon (two-storied gate) and the view from the Shumpuro-ro hall inside the Shrine precincts should not be missed.

    防府天満宮の階段の下に在る酒樽がお賽銭箱の珍しい神社です。説明書からですが、もともと美味しい水が出ていたところが菅公の神威により美味しい美酒の味に変わったと喜んだそうです。これだけでは酒になったのか、酒の味だけなのか分かりませんが前者なら米が焚けずに困ったのではないかと突っ込みたくなります。

  • Yuda Onsen Kitsune no Ashiato
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    4.0
    54 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Yamaguchi-shi Yudaonsen 2-1-3

    山口県、湯田温泉にある狐の足あとです。 湯田温泉は新山口からJRで30分位で気軽に来れる温泉です。 こちらの施設は200円で足湯が楽しめ、足湯に浸かりながら軽食をとれます。 山口文学セットという日本酒3種が楽しめるセットとチーズボールを頂きました。 寒い日だったので暖まりながら美味しいお酒頂きました。

  • Machinoeki Umeterasu
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    4.0
    29 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Houfushi Matsuzakichou 1-20
    This tourist facility is near Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in Matsuzaki Town, Hofu City. The facility provides tourist information of Hofu, shops selling Hofu specialty products, a bicycle rental service and conference rooms for rent, a free resting area and other services. In the cafe restaurant serving dishes using local ingredients, visitors can also enjoy a daily lunch based on vegetables called the “vege-lunch”.

    防府天満宮の鳥居を少し入ったところに有る観光案内所兼お土産屋さんといったところです。駐車場も隣接しています。

  • Yamaguchi City Saikotei
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    4.5
    39 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Tenge 1-2-7
    "This is an historical building in Yamaguchi City. The building was traditionally known as a famous Japanese restaurant called ""Gion Saikotei"" in the Meiji period (1868–1912) and was frequented by Kaoru Inoue, Hirobumi Ito, Takayoshi Kido and Aritomo Yamagata. The building is now used as a place of culture exchange and to exhibit collections of people who were once connected to the restaurant. Visitors can rent and try on kimonos for a fee, there is a rickshaw service and rental bicycles etc."

    I found Saikotei while exploring nearby temples and first saw the lovely lawn and then the house. I was not sure if this was an attraction open to visitors, but sure enough it is! There is a small...

  • Ryufukuji Temple
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    4.0
    44 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Yamaguchi-shi Odonooji 119
    "This Rinzai sect temple was constructed in 1206. Originally called ""Hoshuzan Zuiunji Temple,"" it was located in Shiraishi but was rebuilt in 1336 and became the family temple of Hironao Ouchi. The present main temple was rebuilt in 1883 after repeated being lost. As a representative temple building of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), it became a nationally-designated important cultural property in 1954. Both sides of the shrine path are lined with maple trees, and in autumn, it is famous as a spot for looking at autumn leaves because of the vividly colored tunnels formed by the trees. The site also houses the Ryufukuji Museum, which exhibits images of Yoshitaka Ouchi."

    There are quite a few temples located in this section of Yamaguchi. I found this one by looking for parking spaces and there happened to be one in front of this temple. I dont know much about the...

  • Suoukokubun-ji Temple
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    4.0
    41 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Houfushi Kokubunjichou 2-67
    This temple is located in Kokubunji Town, Hofu City. It is one of the Kokubunji temples built nationwide by the Imperial Order of Emperor Shomu in 741, but is rare because it is only one of few remaining in the same location as the original construction. The temple preserves Important Cultural Property Buddhist statues such as the sitting Yakushi Nyorai as its principal image as well as standing statues of Nikko Bosatsu and Gekko and the seated Amida Nyorai and Shitenno.

    国分寺ですから当然ながら奈良時代、聖武天皇の勅願により創建された寺院です。最盛期には7堂伽藍を擁していたとのことですが、とても想像出来そうにもない広さですね。楼門を潜って江戸時代に建てられた金堂を見ても大変大きいなと感じます。楼門も金堂も重要文化財です。

  • Roadside Station Chomonkyo
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    4.0
    22 Reviews
    Transportation
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Atouikumohigashibun 47-1
    "This is a Roadside Station at the entrance of ""Chomonkyo Gorge"" along National Route 9 in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. At the shop and direct sales market visitors can purchase fresh local produce, ""apple products"", and ""Ato Beef"" etc. In addition, the Roadside Station includes a restaurant and tourist information of the area and is popular for people visiting the Chomonkyo Gorge for sightseeing."

    休日の午後に寄ったら、駐車場が大方埋まるぐらいに結構、混んでいた。秋期限定の梨ソフトクリームは、米粉が入っているかもしれない独特のソフトの甘みと、梨の甘みが絡み合って美味しかった。

  • Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi
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    4.5
    34 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi ken Yamaguchi city Oguri
    Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi (Yamaguchi-go) is a steam locomotive that runs the 62.9 kilometer trip from Shin Yamaguchi Station to Tsuwano Station in about two hours. The sight of the powerful locomotive running with its whistle blowing and puffing smoke is impressive. The locomotive is elegant with the nickname “lady”, and each carriage has been tastefully decorated in Western and Taisho-styles. Reservations are required.

    Having been fascinated by the lure of steam locomotives since my childhood in the 1950s/1960s, I eagerly awaited the highlight of my short trip to Japan .... an excursion on the retro steam train...

  • Toshun-ji Temple
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    4.0
    37 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Mizunouechou 5-27
    Located in the Mizunoue district of Yamaguchi City, the Toshun-ji Temple is famous as the Bodai-ji (family temple) of the warlord Mori Motanari. It was also formerly the site of the Kokusei-ji Temple built by Ouchi Morimi (a Muromachi era warlord); one remaining vestige of this older temple is the Sanmon gate, which is built in the Shikyaku-mon style (with four supporting pillars and a gabled roof), and which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. The Toshun-ji Temple was originally constructed within Yoshida Castle in the Akinokuni domain in 1572, but was subsequently relocated several times as the regions controlled by the Mori family changed; the Temple was finally moved to its present site in 1868. Like the Sanmon gate, the Temple’s Kannon-do hall has also been designated as an Important Cultural Property; the hall, which was relocated here from the Taki-no-kannon-ji Temple (a temple associated with the Ouchi family), features beautiful Chinese-style architecture including a Katomado window and a Sankarado paneled wooden door. Worshippers at the Temple are greeted by Chief Priest “Maru”, a dog who has become a media sensation.

    瑠璃光寺がある香山公園の西隣に、洞春寺というお寺がありました。いかにも歴史を積み重ねた感じの山門が建ったいて、そこから境内に入りました。 この山門は、西暦1400ごろに建てられた国清寺というお寺の門だそうです。つまり、600年を越える年月を経ているんですね。本堂はそんなに古い感じはしませんでしたが、境内には観音堂という建物もあって、こちらも15世紀の建物だそうです。歴史感がすごいお寺でした。

  • Mori Museum
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    4.0
    34 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yamaguchi Pref. Houfushi Tatara 1-15-1
    The main residence of Lord Mouri of the former Choshu clan is open to the public as a museum, collecting and displaying 20,000 arts, crafts and historical items related to the Mouri family. The museum has about 9,000 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties including “Landscapes of the Four Seasons, by Sesshu” and is one of the leading museums in Japan. Special and planned exhibitions held regularly, so visitors can see a number of precious works.

    毛利家本邸玄関から入りますが、博物館はずっと奥になり料金も別になります。毛利家の資料を展示していますが、撮影は禁止です。博物館は投稿できませんので、そこまで進む毛利本邸宅内部を投稿しておきます。こちらも良いですよ。

  • Roadside Station Niho no Sato
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    4.0
    7 Reviews
    Transportation
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Nihonakagou 1034
    "This Roadside Station is located on National Route 376 in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture and sells various items such as ""Kajika rice"" cultivated in the clear stream of Niho River, and sake ""Niho no Hana"". In addition, the station includes restaurants and rest areas, a children's play zone and on the second floor there is an observation deck. The area is popular with people enjoying the nature of Niho."

    地元の農産物、情報案内、土産物、手芸品・レストランまである道の駅。となりに普通のスーパーがあり、裏にちょっとした子供用の遊具もある。土産物は、当地のローカルなものだけでなく、周南・下松・山口エリアまで広範囲の物産が手に入る。国道や高速道路が交わる交通の要衝にあるとはいえ、田園地帯のど真ん中にあるのだが、来客もそこそこあり、また寄ってみてもいいな、と思った道の駅。

  • Yamaguchi Daijingu Shrine
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    4.0
    21 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Takimachi 4-4
    "This shrine beloved by locals as ""Nishi no Ise-sama"" enshrines a division of the Ise Grand Shrine's tutelary deity. The shrine's lush, naturally rich grounds include two minor shrines, the Konomine-inari Shrine and the Taga Shrine. Other points of interest include the Anzan-ishi, a stone said to grant prayers for safe childbirth, as well as a drum said to extend one's life when struck. Known as a so-called ""power spot,"" the shrine is visited many people."

    自分が参拝した日は参拝客が多くはなかったが、共に在る多賀神社とともに、少しずつ参拝客が訪れていた。他にお稲荷さん等もあった。多賀神社はわりと参拝客が気軽にお参りできる感もあったが、一番上にある外宮と内宮は、規模こそ小さく隣接しているが、お社は伊勢神宮のそれにも似て、神秘的で厳粛な雰囲気を感じた。

  • Yasaka Shrine
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    3.5
    25 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Yamaguchi-shi Kami-tatekoji 100
    "This shrine was established in 1369 when Hiroyo Ouchi, a warlord during the Northern and Southern Courts period (1336-1392), prayed for the deity from Kyoto. The vermillion-colored large torii gate makes an impressive sight. The present shrine building was newly built in 1519. It has a roof made of Japanese cypress bark that is still in its original form. Thirteen ""kaerumata"" (sculptures that look like frog's legs) are placed around the main hall, which, along with its unusual and varied design, retains the characteristics of the Muromachi period (1336-1573)."

    JR山口駅の北側の市街地に、八坂神社がありました。境内も広くて、木々に囲まれていて、訪れる人もほとんどいない、とても静かで心安らぐ神社でした。 この神社は、14世紀に、時のお殿様、大内弘世が京都祇園社より勧請したと伝えられているそうです。ですから「八坂神社」という名前なんですね。

  • Amidaji Temple
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    4.0
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Houfushi Mure Kamisakamoto 1869
    This temple is in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Part of the Kegon sect which principally worships Amida Nyorai, this temple was built in 1187 by Chogen. Now famous for its hydrangeas, there are currently about 4,000 bushes of 80 types planted here, giving it the nickname Ajisai-ji (Hydrangea temple). Every June they hold the hydrangea festival.

    なかなか良い寺院でした。ここはあじさい寺としても有名ですが、紫陽花の季節には入山料と宝物館の入館料と両方が必要となります。通常は入山料は不要です。すでに紫陽花の季節も済んでいたのでゆっくりとがら空きの境内を拝観しました。事前に予約しておかなかったので宝物館には入れなかった。前回は予約しておいたので国宝の鉄宝塔を初めとする重文等も鑑賞出来たが・・・。仁王門の金剛力士像は鎌倉時代の快慶派の作で国の重文...

  • The Five-storeyed Pagoda of the Ruriko-ji Temple (a National Treasure)
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Kouzanchou 7-1 Inside of Kayama Park
    This is a five-tier pagoda located within Kozan Park in Yamaguchi City. The cypress shingled roofs of this pagoda, artistically stretching and decreasing in size, up to the highest tier make for a well-proportioned elegant tower. This pagoda is named one of the Top 3 most beautiful pagodas in Japan. Erected around 1442, at the height of the Ouchi culture, it is a masterpiece of the time, and a designated National Treasure. The tower is 31.2 meters in height. Set against the natural backdrop of each season, cherry blossoms, fall foliage, or snow, the pagoda is a picturesque sight. The night lit profile is also a must see.

Yamaguchi Areas

around-area-map

Heading west along Japan’s largest island, Honshu, the very last prefecture you’ll reach is Yamaguchi, separated from Kyushu by a small strip of water known as the Kanmon Straits, which the far-reaching harbor city Shimonoseki looks over. With water at every turn, the seafood of Yamaguchi is an indisputable highlight, and we’re not talking just the usual fish dishes - the notorious fugu, or puffer fish, is a Japanese delicacy that was discovered in Yamaguchi prefecture, making it the best place to try it out.

Yamaguchi Photo Album

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