Spots in Hagi Area

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Hagi

Category

Old Yoshida Shoin Residence & Confinement

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Chinto 1537 Shoin-jinja

This is the house where Yoshida Shoin was confined after being released from prison for his failed attempt to stowaway on an American naval ship in 1854. He was confined to a three-and-a-half- tatami mat room on the east side. He spent his time here reading and writing, then began offering lectures on Mencius and Bukyozensho (military science), and soon he had many young students. These private lessons evolved into the Shokason-juku Academy, and produced many students who would set up the stage for the Meiji Restoration. This place, along with the Shokason-juku Academy, was named a World Heritage Site in 2015.
Old Tamaki Bunnoshin Residence

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Chinto 1584-1

"This is the former residence of Tamaki Bunnoshin, the founder of Shokason-juku Academy, and also known as the uncle of Yoshida Shoin. This is often called the birthplace of the Shokason-juku Academy. The wooden single story building with thatched roof has an eight-tatami mat room, a smaller four-tatami mat room, and a three-and-a-half mat entrance, with a four-and-a-half mat wooden floor room and a dirt floor kitchen. Tamaki taught many students at Shokason-juku Academy, and he was a guardian of Yoshida Shoin when he became an assistant professor at the Domain school of Meirinkan at the age of 10. Tamaki, a man of strict, upright character, taught with such harsh discipline that Shoin's mother went so far as to say ""It might be easier for the boy to die."""
Tenryu-gama

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Chinto 3162-4

"This pottery of Hagi-yaki is about a three-minute drive from Shoin-jinja Shrine. Founded in 1973, it has since specialized in Hagi-yaki pottery characterized by its hue called the Hagi no Nanabake (seven changes of Hagi). This unique hue is that the color looks like dyed because the pigment such as tea astringent accumulates in the cracks called ""Kannyu"" (penetration). The item's coloring itself doesn't change, however, with years of long use the coloration along the cracks can spread over the pottery, and this is called ""raising the vessel."" The shop offers a wide variety of Hagi-yaki goods, from vessels to decorations, and they also have a pottery experience area."
Hagi Ware Seiunzan Okadagama Kiln

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Chinto Mae Obata 1

"This pottery of Hagi-yaki dates back some 200 years to the Edo period. As one of the few traditional potters that inherits the vitality and wisdom of the common people who emerged during the feudal era, they continue to create works featuring gentle depth. The kiln itself is a traditional climbing kiln that has been in use since the first potter. The current 8th generation, Okada Yuh, is a Yamaguchi Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property, and his work has a high reputation for fascinating us by expressing the traditional materials of Hagi-yaki pottery with a supple modern sensitivity. In recent years, he has worked to expand Hagi-yaki pottery's field of expression based on the technique called ""ensai"", which sprays decorative soil using various patterns."
Tenchozan Kiln

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Chinto Mae Obata 4867-1

This pottery of Hagi-yaki has over 200 years of history. While making full use of traditional materials and techniques, the pottery expresses a new sense of porcelain form with its own method. They use a new creative technique called kurinuki, in which vessels aren't shaped on the wheel but by digging out a hollow in a lump of clay. This creates powerful forms that preserve an overwhelming presence of the clay, and allows for totally unprecedented pieces. They don't offer pottery workshop, but you can tour the gallery.
Tobo Taikeian Higuchi-gama Kiln

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Chinto Shiihara 21505

"This kiln specializes in Hagi's famous traditional craft of Hagi-yaki pottery. The work here is based on three principles: preserve the warmth of the soil, which is unique to pottery made of clay; create high quality through natural materials, hand work, and high-temperature firing; and offer safe and secure pieces by avoiding artificial coatings (except for flower vases). They have a huge variety of Japanese table ware including tea pots and bowls, cups, and plates, making them very popular for offering a taste of Hagi-yaki pottery's special ""seven changes of Hagi"" color styling for daily life. They also have pots for flowers and candles, as well as chopstick rests."
Kihagi Restaurant

4.5

11 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi

"This seafood restaurant is inside Roadside Station Hagi Seamart. There is a seafood market connected to the facility, meaning they have access to the freshest fish and more. Their Gokujo Akaunidon rice bowl features lavish servings of red sea urchin, sometimes called the ""phantom urchin"" for its rarity, and is only available from May to October. The elegant sweetness fills your mouth with every bite of this decadent dish! The shop's most popular dish since its founding, though, is the Kihagi Special (seafood rice bowl), which features loads of locally caught fish with a house-made sauce that brings out their natural flavor."

道の駅「萩しーまーと」にあるレストラン。「来萩スペシャル」という海鮮丼を頼みました。どの魚も新鮮さがあり、甘い醤油と合って美味しかったです。ふぐフライも単品で頼みました。こちらも肉厚でとても美味しかったです！他の料理もとても美味しそうでした。ここはお勧めできるレストランです。
Japanese Restaurant Nakamura

3.5

8 Reviews

Gourmet / Alcohol

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Hijiwara 394

This Japanese-style restaurant offers authentic Hagi flavors with lots of fresh seafood. Their popular Unidon (sea urchin rice bowl) uses a full tray of urchin for a decadent, filling treat. The price can slightly change depending on the season, but the rich flavor of Hagi's sea urchin is always a delight. The Nakamura Teishoku set meal features loads of local fish served as sashimi, or fried, and with chawanmushi savory custard, and akadashi miso soup.

料理の質は期待通り、店の雰囲気は期待以上だったが、料理の割りには高く感じた。特に刺身が割高かもしれません。
Yamaguchi Hagi Beer Co. Ltd.

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Hijiwara 608-1

This brewery produces Chonmage Beer, named after the samurai hair-style worn by the man on the label. Japan's beer market is dominated by bottom fermentation style beers that are crisp and easy to drink, but this brewery uses top-fermentation styles for aromatic, rich beers. Their products based on European beers are made with only water, hops, malt and yeast as raw materials following the Reinheitsgebot (Pure Beer Act). Their beers all share fruity aromas and rich flavors with thick froth to create a smooth mouthfeel. These unique beers make great Hagi souvenirs.
Harada Chojuen

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Higashi-tamachi 38

This shop dealing in Hagi-yaki pottery and tea ceremony goods is found at the entrance to the Tamachi shopping arcade. It has specialized in pottery from leading Hagi kilns since its founding in 1897, and the gallery on the second floor holds pieces by famous potters such as Saka Koraizaemon, Miwa Kyuwa, and Miwa Kyusetsu. Since they also offer a large number of very reasonable pieces, this shop is not only great for serious fans of Hagi's traditional pottery but also for those just getting their first taste of it. The shop also has a long tradition of specializing in tea, and their range of tea ceremony tools and tea leaves is impressive as well.
Hagi Inoue Shoten

Shopping

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Higashihamasakicho 9-1

"This is the head office and shop of Inoue Shoten, wholesaler of seafood products with branches all over the prefecture. They have offered processed seafood made from fresh catches under the watchwords of ""safety, security, and health"" since their founding in 1872. Their old standard is Shisowakame, made from moderately salted wakame seaweed mixed with flavorful shiso leaf. It's perfect not only with rice, but also on cold tofu, to flavor natto, and to add aroma to stir-fries or salads. They offer a mix-n-match package to put together a perfectly please gift."
Shinsaku Square

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Minamifuruhagimachi 11

This square is located in Hagi Castle Town. It stands near the birthplace of Takasugi Shinsaku, a loyalist of the late Edo period, and features a bronze statue of his dignified figure with a topknot, wearing haori and hakama (Japanese male formal attire) with two swords in his sash, as he would have appeared in his twenties when he was studying at the Meirinkan domain school and Shokason-juku Academy. The statue stands 180 centimeters tall, and with the base is over three meters in the air, facing the direction of his birthplace and Hagi Castle. The square also holds trees such as Hagi's specialty summer oranges, as well as Shinsaku's beloved plum blossom trees. Since its construction in 2010, it has drawn growing crowds of history fans.
Old Aoki Shusuke Residence

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Minamifuruhagimachi 3

This is the former residence of Aoki Shusuke, one of the leading scholars of European medicine in early-modern Japan. This stately house stands much as it has since its building in 1859, with barely any renovation. Shusuke was a powerful influence on the development of local medicine, and was the appointed doctor to the 13th lord of the local domain, Mori Takachika. There is an episode that Takasugi Shinsaku, who had smallpox in his childhood, received his treatment and survived. His work in establishing the Koseido, the domain's medical academy, helped greatly in the development of medicine in the region, and his knowledge of the west as passed on to Murata Seifu was influential in political reforms during the late Edo period.
Hiyako Kaimagari

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Hiyako

The term kaimagari, also called oimawashi suji, is one of the defensive measures, and refers to a special form of street that is lined with tall earthen walls on both sides, and frequently turns at right angles to break the line of sight of attackers entering into the castle town and allow the defenders to bottle them up. These streets were built to protect the houses of local nobility, and remnants can still be found near the old Tanaka villa in Hiyako, alongside the old Kuchiba family residence in Horiuchi district, and in Daikodama Yokocho. In the fruit season, the sight of bright yellow summer oranges peeking over the tall kaimagari walls is a truly Hagi-esque scene, and quiet strolls through this old-fashioned scenery are a popular pastime even today.
Kashinoki (Hagi Bijutuskanmae)

Gourmet / Alcohol

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Hiyakomachi 583-1

This shop is run by Kashinoki, a local sweets maker that has shops all over the prefecture. This location is across the street from the Hagi Uragami Museum of art, and offers manju buns, uiro sweet rice jelly, cakes, cookies, and more. Their Tsuki de Hirotta Tamago buns are made with moist, fluffy cake filled with smooth cream, and have been a beloved local treat since they first appeared in 1986. They are made with Yamaguchi Prefecture-sourced milk and eggs, and domestic chestnuts, for better food safety. The Chocolat, featuring milky chocolate cream, and Onocha, made with onocha tea from Ube city in Yamaguchi prefecture, are also popular flavors.
Old Tanaka Giichi Bettei

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Hiyakomachi 164-3

This second home was owned by Tanaka Giichi, the 26th prime minister of Japan. The building features hip-and-gable roof construction, with 22 rooms, making it a truly massive residence. The main building has been dated to the late Edo period, while the warehouse and front gate were built in the early Meiji period, and all of them are designated Historic Buildings within the Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. The grounds host displays of materials related to Tanaka Giichi, such as portraits and his general's dress uniform, allowing a better understanding of his achievements and history. Kankitsu Park, planted with summer oranges and other citrus trees, is next door.
Hagi Christian Martyrs Memorial Park

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Horiuchi

This memorial park is near the Hagi Castle ruins, and holds a monument to Christian martyrs built by French missionary Amatus Villion, as well as the graves of Christians from Urakami village in Nagasaki exiled to Hagi in 1868. This park is also a testament to the tragedy of the Gorota-ishi incident, which occurred during the building of Hagi Castle. Rumors that the Gorota-ishi (stones for the castle's bulwarks) were being stolen resulted in open conflict involving Kumagai Motonao and Amano Motonobu, and the construction of the stone walls was delayed by more than two months. Claiming that the trouble of overshoot was caused by Kumagai and Amano, Mori Terumoto, one of the Council of Five Elders appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, attacked them and slew all eleven members of their families. Rumors later spread that the two killed were hidden Christians, thus excusing their deaths.
Kikugahama Beach

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Horiuchi

"This beach of white sand and green pines spreads through Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park. Named one of the Selection of best 100 beach of Japan, it stretches from the Hagi Castle ruins, past Hagi Bay, all the way to Hamasaki Commercial Docks. The pure white sand beach offers a view of not only Hagi Castle ruins, but also mountain and islands off the coast including Mt. Kasa, Ohshima, Aishima and more. The sea here is extraordinarily clear, and in summer it's a huge draw for beachgoers. The pine grove extends from Kikugahama Beach, and has long been a famous scenic spot, that was even described in Waka (Japanese poems) as ""Abu no Matsubara"" in the old days.. This is also a famous spot to watch the sun set."
Former Masuda Family Guard House

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Horiuchi

This guard house was built in the feudal period to keep watch over the Kita-Somon (north main gate) leading from the castle town into the Horiuichi district. The stone embankment stands 180 centimeters high, and atop it there is a sturdy single-story wooden structure. It was built to allow secret observation of those coming and going through the gate, and was part of the Mori vassal Masuda's residence. After the loss at Sekigahara, the Masuda clan was pushed by Ieyasu to become Tokugawa vassals, but the 20th lord Masuda Motonaga refused. Legend says that Mori Terumoto, having heard this, felt deeply moved by the story and thus valued the Masuda as permanent chief retainers ever after.
Horiuchi Kaimagari

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Hagi-shi Horiuchi

Kaimagari, also called oimawashi suji, is one of the defensive measures, and refers to a special form of street that is lined with tall earthen walls on both sides, and which frequently turns at right angles to break the line of sight of attackers entering into the castle town and allow the defenders to bottle them up. The Horiuchi district, which is equivalent to the castle's Sannomaru (outermost region of the castle)in the feudal era, was lined with historic buildings like the old domain government offices, and the manors of the important samurai of ranks, such as Mori clan (top rank), Eidai-garo (permanent chief retainers , and Yorigumi (senior vassals). Quiet strolls through this old-fashioned scenery retaining traditional Hagi style are a popular pastime even today.

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Yamaguchi Areas

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.