Yamaguchi Japan Guide: Tips to Remember
Yamaguchi Japan Map
The Yamaguchi prefecture is found in the Southern region of Japan, on the main island of Honshu. It is the largest city found inside this main island. There is a total of thirteen cities inside this prefecture, which include the popular places of Hagi, Yamaguchi, and Nagato. There are also four districts which include the Abu district, Kuga district, Kumage district, and the Oshima district.
It is not difficult to get information about the city from different travel books and journals. Although it does not promise a lot of nature trips, beaches and the like, the place does have a wealth of historical sites and temples. A lot of travelers go to this place just to get a glimpse of what it must be like to be in the ancient Japanese times.
Yamaguchi Japan Weather and Yamaguchi Japan Climate
Just like most of the southern cities of Japan, the Yamaguchi prefecture has a subtropical climate. This means that it does not have the severe winters and autumns present in the northern regions. The place is very humid with precipitation in significant amounts every year. Cyclones and typhoons are also quite common in the area.
Although it is has a subtropical climate, there are still some very few times of the year where the temperatures drop especially during wintertime. Its summer season is also quite rainy, which contributes to more humidity. The summers can also be pretty hot, during the months of July, August, and September. However, the problem with this is that the amount of yearly rainfall are quite difficult to forecast.
Getting to Yamaguchi
This place can be best reached from Tokyo by plane since it is very far from the capital city via the Yamaguchi Ube Airport. There are also railway systems such as the Nishikigawa Railway, West JR lines and more. Expressways include the Sanyo Expressway and the Chugoku Expressway.
The best way to reach Yamaguchi city is through the Shin-Yamaguchi station which is one of the shinkansen stations in the region. To get to around the city from this station, a person can take different routes. The best one, so far, is through the JR Yamaguchi line. To get to the city center, it usually takes about 20 minutes and 240 yen.
Traveling via Shinkansen does not necessarily promise a speedy arrival. Even though this is one of the fastest trains in Japan, it will still take hours to get from the north to the southern region of the country. This is why from the northern part of the country like Tokyo, it might be best to reach Yamaguchi by plane. This is to reduce the travel time.
Getting around Yamaguchi is not really that difficult. There are train stations in almost every corner of the region. There are also bus lines and other local trains. The fun part is that there are certain portions of the city that rent bikes for tourists so they could save time and sweat from too much walking. A bicycle rental may range from 300 to 500 yen for two hours.
Important Organizations in Japan
Yamaguchi Japan Jamboree: The Yamaguchi Japan World Jamboree Site of Kirarahama
The 23rd World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) was held in Yamaguchi in August of 2015 and this was held specifically in Kirarahama, Yamaguchi, Japan. What is special about this place is that it is a large flat area found in the center of Kirarahama where a natural park is hidden. In this place, there are preservations of Japanese wildlife. This is a very apt place for the scouts because they can surely exercise all their camping and wildlife skills.
However, to make the place much more interactive for the young scouts, the park in Kirarahama was upgraded with the addition of water supply and sewage systems. There was also a sports arena added complete with a large swimming pool. There were also temporary public facilities such as grocery stores and hospitals to accommodate the large number of visitors who went to the 23rd WSJ. The scouts were able to enjoy sports and even outdoor activities such as zip lining.
The entire event included about 500 scouts from almost a hundred countries all over the world and the event lasted from the 28th of July to the 8th of August. It is one of the largest international events held in Japan for the last five years. The main goal of this jamboree is to promote the ideals of harmony, unity, and oneness.
Places to go in Yamaguchi Japan
Hagi Yamaguchi
This place is one of the most popular destinations in all of Yamaguchi because it gives an interesting insight into the history of the region. Hagi is known to be a former castle town in the prefecture and held an important place in the trade, commerce, and transportation of the region. It is located in one of the major sea transports in the country.
During the ancient times, Hagi held an important and strategic power in the military as famous lords and clans have fought and clashed for the lordship and ownership of the land. It was home for the samurai clan of Mori during the feudal era. Other than that, this place is also one of the most preserved historical sites in all of Japan.
There are historical places in the region which include the Aiba Waterway. This is a historical residential area with ancient canals which has served the locals in the early 1400s to 1800s before the modernization of public roads. Most of the houses are made of wood, and walking around the town feels like traveling through time.
There are also good places for worship which include the Daishoin Temple, a place where most Mori lords were laid to rest. There is also the Shoin Shrine and the Tokoji temple, both of which are a place where Mori lords were buried.
In Hagi, their primary product is the traditional making and baking of pottery which has been done for hundreds of years in the area. The region boasts of their fine clay pottery, ceramics, and more.
Ruriko Temple Five-Story Pagoda
Also known as Ruriko-Ji, this is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Japan. It was built as a memorial for the family of a famous 16th-century samurai. What makes this place very popular is the 5-storeyed pagoda, an unbelievable historical architecture. Impressively, this particular pagoda is named a National Treasure in Japan and is considered as one of the most impressive 16th-century architecture or structure. The fact is, it is also considered among the three greatest pagodas in all of Japan.
It is a great place to visit because of the scenic tranquillity it offers to its visitors. Located at the top of a hill, it gives a very impressive view of the city’s skyline which is found amidst the green of trees.There are gardens and pathways surrounding the temple. There are also souvenir shops that surround the area. There are museums inside the temple that show pictures, models, and design concepts of the pagoda. There is a historic bell tower as well.
One of the favorite spots inside the compound is the Uguisubari Stone pavement which is impressively designed to echo sounds made with the hands and feet. Further ahead of this stone pavement is the burial site and memorial spaces built for the famous Mori clan.
Kozan Park
This is one of the most famous historical sites in all of Yamaguchi and it is one of the primary reasons why both local and foreign travelers love this place. This park is the site of the Rurikji temple where the 5-storey pagoda is built. There is a large lake inside the park which is surrounded by different species of plants, shrubs, and other greenery. Hidden within the towering height of trees is the wooden pagoda which seems to blend with its beautiful environment.
This is the place where the founding fathers of the Yamaguchi prefecture can be found because their primary burial site was built here. The historical importance of the place simply gives weight to its need for further preservation.
Inside the Kozan Park, there is a bronze bust built to memorialize Hiroyo Ouchi, a man who suffered from radiation poisoning. He was one of the main specimens of how doctors and Japanese medicine tried to discover how to protect individuals from the fatalities of a deadly dose of radiation. Although he did not survive, his death has shown a number of lessons to modern doctors.
Saikotei
A building which was built in the 1800s, this Saikotei was one of the most innovative ideas of the 1800s This building was originally built as a restaurant by a well-known imperial cook. What is special about the place was that it was the go-to place for both local and foreign residents in the area for western food.
In the 1800s, there was no other place in Japan that served this kind of delicacy. This is why it was immediately popular. It became a place for politicians, noblemen and more. The sad part is that it is not open anymore and was in operation until 1996. Saikotei is now merely a museum which remains well-preserved for its role in history and gourmet.
Visiting the Saikotei building is a great way to enjoy the architecture of the time. It is a good way to see how the Western and Japanese cultures intertwined. Furthermore, they have activities that allow their visitors to learn calligraphy and even wear a beautiful kimono.
Inoue Park
This is a small and simple park in the center of the Yamaguchi city and it was built to memorialize the birth of the famous Kaoru Inoue. There is a garden inside the park which is a great place to have a simple picnic. The entire place is a good place to relax and have a simple, scenic afternoon.
Jippotei
Just like most of the tourist destinations in Yamaguchi, JIppotei is a popular place because of its many historical landmarks. It is a house built in the 1800s and was a home to one of the wealthy families of the Yamaguchi prefecture. The house itself is declared by the Japanese government as an Important Cultural property and its preservation is held very important.
Inside the compound is a small, yet majestic garden known as the Kijo which is a popular Cherry blossom viewing spot in Yamaguchi. During the months of April and May, a number of tourists visit this place. It is like traveling back through time. Through the years, it was turned from a residence to a lodging facility for important persons of the government. This is why it is quite important for the Japanese historians.