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Within Japan’s tropical paradise of Okinawa, visitors can enjoy water sports,
nature and wildlife that can only be observed here.
Within the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa is the 90% jungle/mangrove island of Iriomote.
And here, visitors may be able to see the endangered species of the Iriomote Yamaneko,
a type of “wild cat” which resides only on this island.

It is thought only 100 Yamaneko remain on the island. As such,
the Yamaneko Museum or Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center is both a wildlife/eco museum as well as a refugee center for Iriomote
Yamaneko that have been rescued after being injured in a traffic accident. 

Visitors to the museum are able to learn about the ecology of the animals found on the island,including the Iriomote Yamaneko.
Explanations are provided in English throughout the museum.
As far as the rescued Iriomote Yamaneko, they can only be viewed via a live video feed.

Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Okinawa served an important role in Okinawa’s history.
Though presently a district of Naha, Shuri was the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom.  
Until Okinawa became a Japanese Prefecture in 1879, Shuri Castle was both the administrative center
as well as residence for the Ryukyu kings for several centuries.

The castle was originally constructed in the late 1300s.  
Destroyed many times through war and fires, the current buildings are a result of the reconstruction efforts from 1992.
To approach the castle, located on the top of hill, visitors need to pass through many gates, including the well known Shureimon Gate.

The castle’s main hall, the Seiden was the former venue for many governmental events. A landmark of Okinawa, the Seiden’s flamboyant decoration,
architecture and vermillion color shows the difference in castle style between Okinawa and mainland Japan. 

Visitors will find the Una Plaza in front of the Seiden.
Here many ceremonies were held. The Una Plaza is enclosed by the Hokuden (North Hall), Nanden (South Hall) and the Hoshinmon (Hoshin Gate).
The Hokuden and Nanden were administrative buildings which were also used as venues to welcome visitors from China and mainland Japan.

Visitors are welcomed to view the interior of these historic halls.
 The interiors of the Hokuden and Nanden are like modern museums with informative displays about Ryukyu Kingdom as well as
the Okinawa’s history with the Japanese mainland and China. Visitors can also view local historic artifact as well as cultural replicas received during foreign trade.

The Seiden has been reconstructed in its original style.
The richness and fine furnishing the Ryukyu kings were accustomed to are displayed in the Seiden.
Visitors can even view a replica of the king's throne and crown are among the exhibits.

Facility Information:
Hours: 8:30 to 19:00 (until 18:00 from December to March, until 20:00 from July to September) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: First Wednesday and Thursday of July
Admission: 820 yen
Level of English: Good

Shikinaen, located in Okinawa, was the second residence of the Ryukyu kings.
It was constructed in the 18th century.
The building were relatively simple, wooden palace buildings incorporating the Chinese red tile roofs
with a spacious Japanese garden and its a central pond.
The garden is meant to be viewed as visitors stroll around.
With both the Chinese and Japanese influence, visitors can appreciate Shikinaen’s truly unique Okinawa style.

Shikinaen was completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa of 1945.
However, a 20 year restoration plan began in 1975.
 In 2000, it was among the sited registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title Gusuku Sites
and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

From the forest, visitors walk along a stone-paved road, made from Ryukyu limestones to the main entrance.
From here, visitors will stroll along a 300 meter circular path to view the garden.
There are many interesting parts of the garden, not limited to…
**Ikutokusen—the spring filled with clear water.
 It is designated as a national monument as it is the birthplace of the red alga
**Stone Bridge: There are two stone bridges which connect to the palace as well a small islet in the middle of the water.
**Udun Palace:  built in the 17th century, before the garden and pond, this spacious palace has 15 rooms
**Rokkaku-do: a Chinese-style hexagonal pavilion located on a nearby island

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:30 from October to March) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Wednesdays (or following day if Wednesday is a national holiday or falls on June 23) 
Admission: 400 yen

Japan’s southern island paradise has a rich and unique history which can learned here,
at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum.  Relocated in 2007,
the museum is housed in a contemporary building in central Naha.
There are two separate museums: a history museum and an art museum.

The history museum covers a wide time span:
from before the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom to the modern times of today.
The museum includes collections of natural history, folklore, crafts and archaeology.
Due to the cast amount of Okinawa cultural information presented, visitors could spend a few hours exploring the facility.

The art museum is a bit smaller compared to the history museum.
However the collections are displayed in multiple galleries, in art forms including sculptures, paintings,
sketches and videos.
There is a focus on local artists and themes.
The art is rather modern.  And there are special exhibitions which require additional fee for viewing.

Facility information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing time
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) as well as December 29th to 31st
Admission: 410 yen (history museum), 310 yen (art museum),
　　　　　 separate fees for special exhibitions
Level of English: Good (history museum)

Naha's Tsuboya district has been an Okinawan pottery center since the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom,
and where many pottery workshops are still located.
The Tsuboya Pottery Museum illustrates the history and the techniques of Tsuboya pottery.

Facility Information:
Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:30)
Closed: Mondays and December 28 to January 4
Admission: 315 yen

Hagi (萩), a former castle town, is located along the coast of the Sea of Japan in Yamaguchi Prefecture.  Historically, it is known as the capital of the Mori Clan which governed Yamaguchi Prefecture for over 250 years.

Hagi is best known for its local Hagiyaki Pottery.  This type of pottery is among the best in Japan.

Hagi is well preserved. With several old samurai and merchant residents still intact, visitors can enjoy this historic town.

By JR Bus
**8-11 round trips per day between Yamaguchi Station and Higashi-Hagi Station. The one-way cost is 1760 yen and the length of the journey is 60 to 80 minutes.
In addition, other bus lines are connected to the Shin-Yamaguchi Station (Sanyo Shinkansen). From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, the one-way cost is 2060 yen and the length of the journey is about 90 minutes.
NOTE: The Japan Rail Pass is valid on these JR buses.

By Bocho Bus
**13-18 round trips per day between Shin-Yamaguchi Station and Higashi-Hagi Station. Note:  The buses do not stop at Yamaguchi Station. The one way cost is 2060 yen and the length of the journey is about 90 minutes.
NOTE:  The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.

By train
**via JR Sanin Line.  However, it is not convenient as the number of trains per day is low and the service is slow.
From Shimonoseki Station, the local trains costs 1940 yen and the length of the journey is 3 hours.  In addition, there is no direct route, so one or two transfers are required.
Alternatively, from Asa Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen (only via Kodama Shinkansens), you can utilize the JR Mine and Sanin Line (transfer at Nagatoshi).  The cost is 1320 yen and the length of the journey is 2 hours

Hagi Castle (萩城), built in 1604, was the ruling home for the Mori Clan, one of the most powerful clans in Japan.  At the end of the feudal era (second half of the 19th century), the castle was destroyed.  Only its moats and walls remain today.

The castle ruins are located in the Shizuki Park in the northwestern tip of the city. Besides the remains of the castle, the park has a teahouse and shrine.  With bicycles allowed in the park, visitors can see people cycling around or taking a leisurely walk.  Mount Shizuki is located in the park and visitors can climb to the peak in about 20 minutes.


Access Information:
**By Bicycle: 10-20 minute bicycle ride from Higashi-Hagi Station
**On foot:  30-45 minute walk from Higashi-Hagi Station
**By Bus:  “Maru Bus” West Loop and disembarking at Shizukikoen Iriguchi bus stop. From the bus stop, a 5 minute walk

Hours: 8:00 to 18:30 (April to October)
8:30 to 16:30 (November to February)
8:30 to 18:00 (March)
Closed: Opened all year round
Admission: 210 yen

The Hagi Uragami Museum, located in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, was rated by  “Michelin Green Guide Japan 2009” as a two-star tourist attraction.  Next to Iwakuni’s  “Kintai-kyo Bridge”, one of the three most beautiful bridges in all of Japan, this is the highest ranked attraction in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The Hagi Uragami Museum is located within a short walking distance from the former castle town. It was founded in 1996.  It displays the donated collection of Hagi-born entrepreneur Toshiro Uragami.

Hagi Uragami Museum
The museum features art works of Hagiyaki Pottery, ukiyo-e and contemporary art. Among them are valuable Hagiyaki pieces, some of which have been preserved for centuries. Also on display are documents and films on Hagiyaki wares.

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed on the following day), New Year holidays
Admission: 300 yen

Access Information:
**a short walk to the south from the former castle town

Yamaguchi Daijingu (山口大神宮, Yamaguchi Daijingū) is a much smaller and simpler version of the Ise Shrines. It was built in 1518 after the local lord had traveled to Ise and returned home wishing to have a shrine that houses the same deities as those at Ise. Henceforth, the locals who were unable to travel to Ise in person had the opportunity to visit Yamaguchi Daijingu instead, and the shrine became known as the "Ise Shrines of the West".

Like the Ise Shrines, Yamaguchi Daijingu consists of an outer and an inner shrine, which are rebuilt every 20 years. Unlike the Ise Shrines, however, the shrines of Yamaguchi Daijingu are located just next to each other. The shrine structures come with a simple, wooden appearance, portraying a purely Japanese architectural style with little influence from mainland Asia. Yamaguchi Daijingu is located within a forest at the outskirts of the city, providing the serene setting for a tranquil visit.

Access:
Yamaguchi Daijingu stands about two kilometers northwest of Yamaguchi Station. It can be reached on foot (30 minutes) or by rental bicycles, which are available outside the station (300 yen for two hours or 700 yen for the whole day).
Alternatively, take a bus from the station bound for Yamaguchi Daigaku (山口大学) or Nakaoguchi (中尾口)　and stop at Kenchomae (県庁前) bus stop (6 minutes, 170 yen, 2-3 departures per hour). From the bus stop it takes five minutes to walk to the shrine.

Hours: Always open
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

The St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church (サビエル記念聖堂) was built in honor of the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier.  Francis Xavier was a fundamental member in spreading Christianity to Asia in the 1500s. Seven years after the first Europeans arrived in Japan, Francis organized a mission from Kagoshima to Kyoto. It was at this time Francis Xavier spent a few months in Yamaguchi, a city forever dear in his heart.

The original church was constructed in 1952 but fell victim to a fire in 1991.  The current, beautiful building was reconstructed in 1998. Visitors are given to the opportunity to roam through the church, appreciating the beautiful contemporary interior. With light pouring in from the stained windows, it is the perfectly place to feel a spiritual connection.

There is a museum on the first floor where visitors can see Christian paintings, statues, medallions, clothing and other religious items from the past.  In addition, old maps detailing the spread of Christianity in Japan as well as those showing the route of Xavier's travels are on display.

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: The Church is opened all year round.  However, the museum is close on Wednesdays (if a national holidays falls on a Wednesday, the museum will be closed the following day)
Admission: Admission into the Church is free; however, donations are encouraged. 
There is 300 yen admission fee into the museum.

Access Information:
The St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church stands about 1.3 kilometers northwest of Yamaguchi Station.
By Foot:
**15 to 20 minutes from Yamaguchi Station
By Bicycle
**Bicycle can be rented outside the station (300 yen for two hours or 700 yen for the whole day)

Hagiyaki Pottery (萩焼), the local pottery style of Hagi City, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is very well-known both in Japan and overseas. Hagiyaki’s techniques were brought to Japan from Korea in the early 1600’s.  During the Edo Period, Hagiyaki was very popular with its tea wares being highly praised at tea ceremonies.

One unique characteristic of Hagiyaki is the color of the items change over time.  It is said tea residuals enter the microscopic openings within the items causing the color change. Tea enthusiasts are particularly delighted by this.

Hagiyaki is popular even today.  Visitors to Hagi will find more stores around this old-fashioned town selling tea ware, cups and bowls of Hagiyaki.  There are museums here as well where visitors can learn more about Hagiyaki as well as places offering visitors a chance to try their hand to create their own Hagiyaki.

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Visitors to Hagi Town in Yamaguchi Prefecture will see many stores around the town selling items produced in the local Hagiyaki Pottery style.  Hagiyaki is highly regarded in Japan and a favorite among tea lovers.

Visitors interested in Hagiyaki may be interested to visit the Hagiyaki Pottery Museum.

Located on the second floor of a souvenir store outside the entrance gates of the Hagi Castle Ruins, this small museum displays valuable Hagiyaki pieces from the 1600’s.
 

Hagiyaki Pottery Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 500 yen