Hagi Castle Ruins, located in Hagi city, Yamaguchi prefecture, hold a significant historical legacy as ruins of a once mighty castle. Perched on a hill, these ruins offer a glimpse into Japan’s feudal past, combining interesting architecture with scenic beauty. With centuries of history, the ruins of Hagi Castle are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the area and offer you a fascinating journey through time. Hagi Castle Ruins are registered as World Heritage Sites as one of the constituent elements of “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution”. Nearby are Hagi Castle Town and Former Residence (萩城下町と旧宅) and Shoukasonjuku Academy (松下村塾), so it is recommended to visit these places as well.
Admission fee
Adult : 220 yen
Junor high school and elementary school students : 100 yen
Opening hours
8:00 ～ 18:30 (April to October)
8:30 ～ 16:30 (November to February)
8:30 ～ 18:00 (March)
※ No regular holiday
Attractions
First, buy an admission ticket at the Main gate of Hagi Castle Ruins and enter.
① Castle tower ruins
The castle tower of Hagi Castle, which was 14.4m high, 19.8m east-west, and 16.2m north-south at the time, has now been dismantled, leaving only the base. The remaining stone walls of the base are still in good condition. The surface of the moat of Hagi Castle is very quiet, so you can see the beautiful stone walls reflected on the surface of the water.
There are benches on top of the castle tower, so you can sit back and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Thinking back to those days, you may lose track of time.
② Hananoe cha tei (花江茶亭)
Hananoe cha tei is a relocated tea room that was originally located in another location. It is said that at the end of the Edo period, people held tea ceremonies in this tea room to discuss current trends and plan national affairs.
Hananoe cha tei is a one-story wooden structure with a gabled roof and thatched roof. When it was moved, the bathhouse and lavatory were removed, and a one-story building with a tiled roof was added as an antechamber.
③ Shizukiyama shrine (志都岐山神社)
Shizukiyama shrine is dedicated to the successive lords of the Hagi clan. At the foot of this shrine, there is a “Midori Yoshino” cherry tree that can only be seen here. Midori Yoshino is a rare type of cherry blossom that is characterized by its pure white flowers and green sepals, and looks pale green when viewed from a distance.
Currently, it is not possible to visit the shrine due to bees infestation near the shrine.
④ Toen (東園)
Toen is a garden that extends around the pond. A pond that had existed here for a long time was dredged and a garden was created, which became Toen. While enjoying the natural scenery, azalea flowers bloom beautifully in May.
⑤ Hagi-yaki Pottery (萩焼)
There are potteries here that produces Hagi-yaki pottery, one of Japan’s most famous traditional crafts.
Hagi-yaki is characterized by its unique soft texture, made of rough, less-fired clay. There are various types such as teacups, bowls, vases, and ornaments.
Once you find your favorite pottery, you can buy it for yourself or as a souvenir, and it will surely be appreciated.
⑥ Statue of Mori Terumoto (毛利輝元像)
Mori Terumoto was the builder of Hagi Castle and he is a feudal lord of the Warring States period in Japan. It is interesting that you can see the image of the load of Hagi castle at that time as a statue.
⑦ Former Asa Mori Clan Residence (旧厚狭毛利家萩屋敷長屋)
This is the samurai residence of the Asa Mori family, one of the Mori family clans. The house is 51m long and the largest among the existing samurai residences in Hagi. You can enter by using the admission ticket included with the Hagi Castle Ruins ticket. If you enter here without a combined ticket with Hagi Castle, you will need to pay 100 yen for here.
You can actually see a tatami room reminiscent of life back then.
You can also see things that are representative of Japanese life in those days, such as the Irori (hearth), which is rarely seen in Japan today.
⑧ Pleasure cruise
Pleasure boats that allow you to enjoy the scenery of Hagi, including the Hagi Castle Town and the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, depart from Shigetsukyo Bridge next to the Hagi Castle ruins. Courses vary depending on the season and the duration is approximately 40 minutes. Fare is about 1,000 yen, but this is also depending on the course.
Pleasure boats can sometimes be seen from the stone wall at the outskirts of Hagi Castle.
Hagi Castle ruins with cherry blossoms in spring
Hagi Castle ruins are also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. About 600 cherry trees are in full bloom in spring and many people come to see them. Usually, the best time to see them is from the end of March to the beginning of April. The combination of the castle ruins and cherry blossoms is very tasteful, so it is definitely worth visiting during the cherry blossom season.
Access
You can access Hagi castle ruins from JR Higashi Hagi station (東萩駅) or JR Hagi station (萩駅). If you access from JR Higashi Hagi station, leave the exit of JR Higashi Hagi station (東萩駅) and head west. The distance is about 3km, and it takes about 35 minutes on foot. If you access from JR Hagi station, leave the exit of JR Hagi station (東萩駅) and head north. The distance is about 4km, and it takes about 50 minutes on foot. You can also access there by buses or your car. It might be a good idea to rent a bicycle and go around Hagi area.
Summary
Hagi Castle ruins stand as a testament to the historical heritage and architectural achievements of Hagi. Perched on a hill overlooking the city of Hagi, the castle ruins offer panoramic views, seasonal beauty, and a connection to Japan’s feudal past. Why not visit the Hagi Castle Ruins and take time to immerse yourself in Japanese history?
コメント