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[Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Introducing five Hagi area assets from the World Heritage Site "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution"!
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We will introduce the five assets in the Hagi area of the World Heritage Site "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution," including tourist attractions and access information.
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The castle town of Hagi, including the ruins of Hagi Castle, samurai residences, townhouses, former homes of Meiji Restoration patriots, temples and shrines, has become an urban heritage that has been inherited to this day. Historic sites remain throughout the town, and Hagi is like an open-air museum.
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Table of Contents
- What is the World Heritage Site "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution"?
- "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" - Five Hagi Area Assets
- 1. Hagi Reverberatory Furnace
- 2. Ebisugahana Shipyard
- 3. Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works
- 4. Shokasonjuku Academy
- 5. Hagi Castle Town
- Learn about Hagi's 5 assets! World Heritage Visitor Center
- Summary: How to get to Hagi City
What is the World Heritage Site "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution"?
In just half a century from the end of the Edo period, Japan achieved rapid industrialization in the iron and steel, shipbuilding, and coal mining industries, and established itself as the first industrial nation in the non-Western world. This was a remarkable and rare event of great significance in world history, and the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" shows this historical process along a timeline.
It was registered as a World Heritage Site as "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining" at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in July 2015. This group of heritage sites consists of 23 properties in 11 cities in 8 prefectures, mainly in Kyushu and Yamaguchi.
"Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" - Five Hagi Area Assets
The Hagi area is the first area in chronological order to be listed as one of the "Sites of Japan's Meiji IndustrialRevolution."
It consists of five assets: the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace ,Ebisugahana Shipyard ,Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works , Shoukasonjuku Academy , and Hagi Castle Town . They tell the story of how the people of the Hagi domain studied Western technology at the end of the Edo period and attempted to modernize their industry on their own.
Now, let us introduce you to the five Hagi area assets that are part of Sites of Japan's Meiji IndustrialRevolution!
1. Hagi Reverberatory Furnace
This is the remains of a reverberatory furnace built in 1856 by the Hagi Domain, which aimed to cast Western-style iron cannons, and only the chimney (10.5m high) remains. The Hagi reverberatory furnace was an experimental furnace, and is an asset that shows the industrialization that took place during that time through trial and error.
The only remains of reverberatory furnaces that remain today are in three locations: the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace in Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture; the former Shuseikan Museum in Kagoshima City; and Hagi City.
Tourist spot!
①The bricks were stacked by hand, so the highlight is that it's tilted slightly forward!
②If the time is right, the train will pass by the blast furnace.
3. During the cherry blossom season, you can see the reverberatory furnace and the beautiful cherry blossoms together!
Basic information
Address: 4897-7 Tsubakihigashi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Opening hours: Free to visit
Holidays: None
Access: 24 minutes on foot or 4 minutes by car from JR Higashi-Hagi Station
2. Ebisugahana Shipyard
These are the remains of a shipyard established by the Hagi Domain in 1856, where two Western-style sailing ships were built at the end of the Edo period: the Hagi Domain's first Western-style warships, the Heishinmaru (total length approx. 25m) and the Koshinmaru (total length approx. 43m). Iron from Oitayama tatara was used to build the Heishinmaru. This is the only shipyard built at the end of the Edo period for sailing ships where the remains can be confirmed. A stone embankment of the same scale as at the time still remains today.
Tourist spot!
Using Virtual Reality technology, you can recreate the remains of the Ebisugahana Shipyard, which no longer exists, and the Heitatsumaru and Koshinmaru ships that were built there! (Only available on smartphones and tablet PCs)
Basic information
Opening hours: Free to visit
Holidays: None
Access: 34 minutes on foot or 6 minutes by car from JR Higashi-Hagi Station
3. Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works
This is the site of a tatara ironworks from the Edo period, where iron was made by burning charcoal and using iron sand as the raw material. This is a traditional Japanese ironmaking method, and it was in operation three times between the 1750s and 1860s. When the first Western-style sailing ship, the Heishinmaru, was built at the Ebisukehana Shipyard, iron made in the Ohitayama tatara was used for ship nails and other items. The remains of the buildings and other structures have been exposed and maintained.
Tourist spot!
①Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works are located in the mountains, a 40-minute drive from downtown Hagi, where you can enjoy nature to the fullest!
②There is the Ohitayama Tatara Museum, an exhibition and rest facility that introduces the contents of the property. Panels and videos are used to introduce and explain Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works and Sites of Japan's Meiji IndustrialRevolution.
Basic information
Opening hours: Free to visit
Holidays: None
Access: 40 minutes by car from Hagi city
4. Shokasonjuku Academy
A private school run by Yoshida Shoin, a pioneer of the Meiji Restoration. Shoin was one of the earliest to advocate the importance of engineering education from the perspective of coastal defense, and advocated achieving industrial modernization through one's own efforts. Having witnessed the military power of Europe and America when the Black Ships arrived, Shoin wanted to see the real situation overseas with his own eyes, so he even went so far as to break a national ban and board a Black Ship to stow away overseas. Many of the students who inherited Shoin's teachings went on to play important roles in the later process of Japan's modernization and industrialization.
The wooden, tiled, one-story building remains as it was.
Tourist spot!
①Inside Shoukasonjuku Academy, there are paintings and photographs of Yoshida Shoin and his students on display.
②Within the shrine grounds, there is the Yoshida Shoin History Museum, which recreates the life of Yoshida Shoin with a life-size wax figure, and the Shoin Shrine Treasure Hall - Shiseikan, where valuable treasures such as Yoshida Shoin's calligraphy and personal belongings are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.
③At Shoin Shrine, you can find cute umbrella-shaped fortune slips called "Kasa Mikuji"!
Basic information
Address: 1537 Tsubakihigashi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (within the grounds of Shoin Shrine)
Opening hours: Free to view the exterior only. Holidays: None.
Access: 18 minutes on foot or 4 minutes by car from JR Higashi-Hagi Station
5. Hagi Castle Town
A major feature of the early stage of the introduction of industrial technology is that it was introduced at the local community level, known as the feudal domain, which governed each region of Japanese society at the time. Hagi Castle Town reflects the state of politics, administration, and economy in the local communities of the time.
The property encompasses three areas: ① Castle Ruins, ② Upper Class Samurai District, and ③ Merchant District.
① Castle Ruins (Hagi Castle Ruins Shizuki Park)
The castle ruins were the political and administrative center of the Hagi domain, and the place where policies were formed regarding industrialization and the introduction of Western technology. Mori Yoshichika, the 13th lord of the Hagi domain, decided to build the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace and the Ebisukehana Shipyard, which sparked modern industrialization. Hagi Castle was the residence of the Mori clan, who ruled over the Hagi domain, and today only parts of the stone walls and moat remain from the past.
Tourist spot!
①Hagi Castle Ruins Shizuki Park is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. During cherry blossom season, 600 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom in full glory! There is also one Midori-Yoshino cherry tree in the park, which is a rare cherry tree that can only be seen in Hagi in Japan.
②Using VR (Virtual Reality) technology, you can recreate the no longer extant Hagi Castle tower! (Only available on smartphones and tablet PCs)
Basic information
Address: 1-1 Horiuchi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Business hours: [April to October] 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. [November to February] 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. [March] 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Holidays: Open everyday
Access: 26 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car from JR Tamae Station
② Upper Class Samurai District
The former upper-class samurai estate was an area between Hagi Castle and the outer moat where the residences of the feudal lords were lined up, and together with the castle ruins, it was the political and administrative center of the Hagi domain, and the place where policies regarding industrialization were formed. The areas where samurai lived and townspeople lived were strictly separated, and this area well represents the class system and socio-economic structure of the time.
Tourist attractions!
① Horiuchi Kaimagari is a unique road that is surrounded by high earthen walls on both sides and turns at right angles, making it difficult to see. It is a popular spot where you can see the typical Hagi scenery of yellow summer mandarin oranges peeking out from the earthen walls!
②Kuchiba Family Residence is one of the oldest residences of high-ranking samurai remaining in the area around Hagi Castle, and has the most magnificent Nagayamon gate still standing in Hagi. The residence is a cultural property and can be visited.
Basic information
Address: 146-1 Horiuchi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (Kuchiba family residence)
Opening hours: Free to view the townscape (Kuchiba House is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Holidays: None (Kuchiba House is closed on Wednesdays, August 13th to 15th, December 30th to January 3rd)
Access: 21 minutes from JR Tamae Station, 4 minutes by car
③ Merchant District
The "Merchant District" was an area lined with middle- and lower-class samurai residences and townhouses. Craftsmen and merchants lived here, and the area shows the traditional economy of the time based on commercial activities and small-scale manufacturing that were carried out in and around castle towns.
Tourist spot!
Kikuya Alley, a familiar street that represents Hagi City, is located in the Merchant District. This beautiful street with white walls and namako walls has been selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan"!
Basic information
Address: 1-chome, Gofukumachi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Opening hours: Free to visit the townscape.
Holidays: None
Access: 30 minutes on foot or 7 minutes by car from JR Higashi-Hagi Station
Learn about Hagi's 5 assets! World Heritage Visitor Center
The World Heritage Visitor Center, located in Hagi Meirin Gakusha Building No. 2, introduces the "Sites of Japan's Meiji IndustrialRevolution."
Among the 23 properties spread across 11 cities and 8 prefectures, you can learn about the 5 properties in Hagi, which are said to be the origin of modernization, through videos, panels, replica displays, and more! Please come and learn before visiting the World Heritage sites!
Basic information
Address: 602 Emukai, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Hagi Meirin Gakusha Building 2
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Holidays: 1st Tuesday and Wednesday of February
Summary: How to get to Hagi City
Above we have introduced the five Hagi area properties that are part of the World Heritage Site "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution". Did you find any that interested you?
We look forward to welcoming you to Hagi City!
How to get to Hagi City
Please click here for information on how to access Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The castle town of Hagi, including the ruins of Hagi Castle, samurai residences, townhouses, former homes of Meiji Restoration patriots, temples and shrines, has become an urban heritage that has been inherited to this day. Historic sites remain throughout the town, and Hagi is like an open-air museum.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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