Hiyako Historical District in Hagi

Hagi, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, used to be the capital of the Choshu Domain during the Edo Age (1603-1868) . Hagi declined after the Edo Age ended, because Yamaguchi City, not Hagi, became the seat of the prefectural government of Yamaguchi prefecture. As a result, Hagi still remains the atmosphere as it was in the Edo Age.

If you walk to the south from Horiuchi Historical District, you will see the main gate of KODAMA Residence. The main gate remains from the Edo Age.

Horiuchi Historical District used to be the third bailey of Hagi Castle. Please refer the page of "Horiuchi Historical District in Hagi" for more detail:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chugoku/Hagi_Horiuchi_E.html

To the south from KODAMA Residence, you will walk over the Hiyako Birdge. Hiyako Bridge is over a small river between Horiuchi Historical District and Hiyako Historical District.

Hiyako Historical District also remains the atmosphere of the Edo Age.

There is a narrow street to the south-east from the Tamae-bashi Bridge. If you walk on this street to the southeast from the Tamae-bashi Bridge, this area strongly remains the atmosphere of the Edo Age. The below picture shows the former residence of TSUBOI Kyuemon (1800-1863) .

TSUBOI Kyuemon contributed to the reformation of Choshu Domain government, however he was imprisoned and died in a prison due to the internal battle of Choshu Domain happened from 1850 to 1865.

Just after passing the former residence of TSUBOI Kyuemon, the narrow street makes the left turn and soon makes the right turn. The clank-shaped street was designed to prevent enemies from entering baileys of Hagi castle. Honey-color of the house is very impressive.

In Japan, many cities and towns used to have such clank-shaped streets during the Edo Age, but most of them were destroyed and lost. Hagi city still remains such streets in the city.

After passing through the clank-shaped corner, Mud walls with honey-colored clay line along the street. At the other end of the street, there is another clank-shaped corner.

Honey-colored mud walls surround the clank-shaped corner. The atmosphere at the crank-shaped corner seems exactly as it was in the Edo Age. It was hot in summer, when I visited Hagi. However, a refreshing wind blows there.

The gate of the residence at the corner remains from the Edo Age.
You will not be surprised, even if a "samurai" shows up from the gate.

With this kind of scenery, Hiyako Historical District is designated as a conservation district of traditional buildings in Japan.

If you walk to the east from the clank-shaped corner, you will see another gate of a residence.

This house was the second house of TANAKA Giichi (1864-1929) , who was an Army general and a Prime Minister of Japan in the Taisho Age (1912-1926) .

Windows are very wide and large. Inside the house was very bright. pleasant breeze blew into the house through windows.

Inside the house was very simple. You can see the Hashimoto River from the house.

The Hashimoto River flows at the south end of Hiyako Historical District. There is a promenade along the river. View of the river from the pronemade is also very beautiful.

How to get there
From Tokyo or Osaka, take a "Nozomi" bound for Hakata. Get off a Nozomi at Shin-Yamaguchi and take a bus to Hagi, the Meirin Center. Hiyako Historical District is located within the walking distance.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Former Shokasonjyuku School
Kikuya Avenue Historical District
Horiuchi Historical District in Hagi
Ruins of Hagi Castle
Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat