Trip to Hagi city, Yamaguchi Prefecture②- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Attraction of Hagi City
The charm of Hagi City lies in the harmony between its historical culture and beautiful natural environment. Hagi is an old castle town that has preserved samurai residences, merchant houses, and traditional streets from the Edo period, allowing visitors to feel as if they have slipped back in time. Representative sites include Hagi Castle Ruins and Shizuki Park, Shōka Sonjuku Academy, Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, and Ebisugahana Shipyard Ruins — all important historical landmarks related to the late Edo and Meiji Restoration period. These sites were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2025, highlighting their global historical significance.
Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat
The Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat offers a 40‑minute cruise around Hagi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Departing from the Shizuki Bridge next to the Hagi Castle Ruins, it takes passengers along the Hashimoto River and out to the sea, providing views of the castle town, the Horiuchi Preservation District of Traditional Buildings, and several World Heritage sites. The route passes through scenic pine groves and the Former Tanaka Villa, and when the sea is calm, extends to the Onnadaba Fortress (built by women during the Bakumatsu period) and the six volcanic islands of Hagi.
Seasonal special courses are also available: a cherry blossom viewing course in spring, a Japan Sea or sunset viewing course in summer, and an autumn leaves course in fall. The cruise operates mainly from March to November (subject to weather conditions) and sometimes extends operating hours in summer. Reservations are required, typically for groups of 10 or more, but private charters are also available. The boarding point is at 122‑1 Horiuchi, Hagi City, with free parking and wheelchair accessibility. More information is available on the official Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat website.
Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
The Chōshū Five
The “Chōshū Five” refers to five young men from the Chōshū domain who, during Japan’s late Edo period when the country faced the threat of Western colonization, risked their lives by secretly traveling to the United Kingdom in defiance of national law. They studied Western science and technology at University College London and later played key roles in Japan’s modernization and industrial development, occupying important government positions after their return.
Hagi City has deep ties to these five pioneers. Many related historical sites and materials can be found there, including Shōka Sonjuku (the private school of their mentor, Yoshida Shōin) and special exhibitions at the Hagi Museum. Hagi Station also features displays about Inoue Masaru, known as “the father of Japanese railways.” Additionally, Hagi City honors their legacy through an international exchange program, sending local junior high school students to the UK as “Chōshū Five Juniors.”
In short, the Chōshū Five were five young visionaries from Hagi who stowed away to Britain, learned Western knowledge, and returned to help lead Japan’s modernization — leaving behind many historical sites and memorials in Hagi.
The Chōshū Five- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
The Chōshū Five- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Yoshida Shōin
Yoshida Shōin was a samurai from the Chōshū domain, born and raised in Hagi. As an educator, he taught at Shōka Sonjuku and mentored many key figures of the Meiji Restoration, such as Takasugi Shinsaku and Itō Hirobumi. The Shōka Sonjuku, located in Matsumoto Village within Hagi Castle Town, is preserved as a historic private school and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015.
Hagi City retains numerous sites connected to Shōin’s life, including the house where he was confined (Yoshida Shōin’s Former Residence) and Shōin Shrine, built with the support of his pupils such as Itō Hirobumi. Within the shrine grounds are the Sonjuku school building and his former residence. His birthplace and the Meirinkan Domain School also remain as important historical spots, allowing visitors to trace his life and influence throughout the city.
As the hometown of Yoshida Shōin, Hagi is a destination where visitors can deeply feel his spirit and walk in the footsteps of the patriots who shaped Japan’s modern era.
Yoshida Shōin shrine- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Yoshida Shōin- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Yoshida Shōin’s Famous Sayings
Yoshida Shōin left behind numerous quotes that continue to inspire people today. Some of his most famous sayings include:
“Those who have no dreams have no ideals; those who have no ideals have no plans; those who have no plans have no actions; those who take no actions have no success. Therefore, without dreams, there can be no success.” — A call to cherish one’s dreams and aspirations.
“If you write just one character a day, you gain 360 characters in a year. But if you waste even one hour a night, you lose 36,000 hours in a lifetime of a hundred years.” — A reminder of the value of daily perseverance.
“Do not value being without mistakes, but value correcting them.” — Emphasizing growth through self-reflection and improvement.
“If there is hope that dying now will leave an eternal legacy, die anytime. If there is hope that living will accomplish a great deed, live at all costs.” — Expressing his readiness to devote everything to his cause.
“Every human being is born with a bit of pure gold within. The gold of the sages is no different from ours.” — Affirming the inherent worth and dignity of all people.
These words represent Shōin’s unwavering beliefs as a teacher and thinker during the closing years of the Edo period, and they still offer insight and encouragement to people today.
Shōin room- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
The Matsushita Village School
Matsushita Village School was notable for providing comprehensive education in military studies, Confucian learning, history, geography, and national studies, welcoming students regardless of gender or social rank. Among its famous students were prominent patriots such as Kusaka Genzui, Takasugi Shinsaku, and Ito Hirobumi. The school is located about 3 kilometers east of central Hagi, in the Tsubaki Higashi district, and continues to be a popular historic site and tourist attraction, with the Shoin Shrine also situated on the premises to honor the legacy of Yoshida Shoin and the school’s historical significance.was a private school located in Matsumoto Village (now part of Hagi City), Yamaguchi Prefecture, at the end of the Edo period (Bakumatsu) through the Meiji era. It was originally established in 1842 by Tamaki Fuminoshin, the uncle of Yoshida Shoin, who later became the main instructor of the school. Yoshida Shoin nurtured many key figures who played central roles in the political and social reforms from the late Tokugawa shogunate period through the Meiji Restoration. The school's building, which still exists today within the grounds of the Shoin Shrine in Hagi City, was registered as a World Heritage site in 2015.
The Matsushita Village School- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
The Matsushita Village School- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Matsushita Village School was notable for providing comprehensive education in military studies, Confucian learning, history, geography, and national studies, welcoming students regardless of gender or social rank. Among its famous students were prominent patriots such as Kusaka Genzui, Takasugi Shinsaku, and Ito Hirobumi. The school is located about 3 kilometers east of central Hagi, in the Tsubaki Higashi district, and continues to be a popular historic site and tourist attraction, with the Shoin Shrine also situated on the premises to honor the legacy of Yoshida Shoin and the school’s historical significance.
Roadside Stations: Hagi Seamart & Hagi Ōkan
At these two roadside stations, visitors can find Hagi’s specialties and fresh local produce. They are popular spots to enjoy regional gourmet foods and purchase souvenirs that showcase the area’s rich local flavors.
Washoku set- swordtip squid sashimi - Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
