Hagi: Castle Town, Coast and Craftsmanship

Hagi combines the heritage of a well-preserved castle town with coastal scenery, traditional crafts and stories from the Edo period. The castle town is one of five UNESCO World Heritage sites in Hagi. The area also offers a white-sand beach lined with green pines, an art museum and places where the region’s history comes to life. When planning your trip, you might consider whether you would most like to explore historic sites, the sea and nature, or art and local cuisine.

Castle Town and History

Kikuya Yokocho showcases a townscape typical of Hagi from the Edo period: the street is characterized by white walls and namako-style walls and was selected as one of Japan’s 100 most beautiful streets. Five buildings at the Kikuya Residence are also designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. At Tokoji, the main gate, middle gate, bell tower and main hall are likewise designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Those interested in historic architecture and the distinctive character of a castle town can find different aspects of the city’s history here.

Another way to explore Hagi’s history is through Yoshida Shoin. From 1857 to 1858, he led Matsushita Shuku, a private school located at Shoin Shrine in Tsubaki-Higashi. Yoshida Shoin is the shrine’s principal deity. The Shokasonjuku Academy in Hagi is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hagi Meirin Gakusha explains the five World Heritage components in Hagi, their context and details, and their role in Japan’s modernization.

The Ebisugahana Shipyard ruins preserve the site of a shipyard established by the Hagi domain. Two Western-style wooden sailing ships were built there at the end of the Edo period. This history adds shipbuilding of the era to the story of Hagi. The Mori family cemetery at Tokoji is another reminder of the city’s past. It is designated a National Historic Site, and more than 500 stone lanterns stand in front of the graves.

Art, Ceramics and Local Cuisine

The Hagi Uragami Museum of Art is a cultural center for ukiyo-e, East Asian ceramics, Hagi ware and related crafts. If these subjects interest you, you can complement a museum visit with a hands-on introduction to local craftsmanship: in Hagi, you can make Hagi ware under the guidance of a local craftsperson. Viewing art and working with ceramics are different ways to engage with the local design tradition.

Local cuisine also features Hagi ware. Hagi gozen is a local set menu with several dishes, served in Hagi ware bowls. For those who want to try regional food, it offers a direct connection between cuisine and craftsmanship. Along with the museum and pottery-making, this offers a different focus from the historic sites of the castle town.

Kikugahama and Mount Shizuki

At Kikugahama Beach, white sand meets green pines; the beach is near the ruins of Hagi Castle. This coastal scenery is another part of Hagi’s character, alongside its historic streets and buildings. A hiking trail leads from Hagi Castle to the summit of Mount Shizuki in about 30 minutes. This approximate time refers to the route to the summit. When choosing what to do, you can opt for a visit to the beach, an exploration of the city’s history or a hike.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

The Hagi-go Bus runs directly from Shin-Yamaguchi Station to Hagi Bus Center, a journey of one hour. This route offers a clear starting point for your journey. Hagi is also connected to Hofu and Mitajiri on the Seto Inland Sea via the historic Hagi Okan. The road is about 53 kilometers long and runs almost in a straight line between Hagi, a castle town on the Sea of Japan, and Hofu and Mitajiri.

If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Hagi, start by deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like to center it around the castle town and its UNESCO sites, experience Kikugahama and Mount Shizuki, or explore art, ceramics and cuisine? Use the experiences that matter most to you to guide your search.

More destinations: Yamaguchi, Hōfu, Shūnan, Ube, Iwakuni, Mine, Nagato, Suooshima.

Return to the main travel overview: Yamaguchi Prefecture.