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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