Yamaguchi

Japan

Yamaguchi (山口市 Yamaguchi-shi) is the capital of Yamaguchi prefecture, at the western tip of the island of Honshu, Japan. In the city, there is a beautiful Japanese town which flourished as "Kyoto in the West" during the Medieval Period.

Snow over Rurikoji Temple

Yamaguchi City is the seat of prefectural government, so it functions as the "capital" of this prefecture. However, it's not a big city; it's a planned city where Hiroyo Ouchi, the regional liege lord, placed his government in 1360. From then on, the town developed, copying the elegance of Kyoto, which used to be the capital of Japan. As the Ouchi family prospered, Yamaguchi flourished and its nickname became "Kyoto in the West". When Kyoto was devastated by the Onin war, Yamaguchi developed as the alternative capital—many cultured people and foreigners visited the city. Yamaguchi became so successful that it was practically the capital of Japan. However, the destruction of the ruling family in 1551 caused the city to decline.

There are many things in the city that suggest it was prosperous during medieval times.

  • Rurikōji, 7-1 Kayama (Bus to Kenchōmae, +81 83-924-9139. 09:00-17:00. This temple's five-story pagoda, which was built around 1442, is something of a city symbol. Also noteworthy are the lovely temple grounds (called "Kōzan park") and the tombs of several medieval lords. Free.

Ichinosaka-gawa River covered by cherry blossoms

  • Ichinosaka River. Over the clean and beautiful small river, many cherry blossoms can be seen in spring, and in summer you will find many fireflies glowing.
  • Sesshu's Garden at Jouei-ji temple, 2001 Miyanoshita (JR train to Miyano, +81 83-922-2272. )8:00-17:00. Designed by the famous Zen Buddhist monk and artist Sesshu (1420-1506). ¥300. Xavier Memorial Church
  • Xavier Memorial Church, 4-1 Kameyama-chō, +81 83-920-1549. Museum Th-Tu 09:00-17:30, Catholic mass Su 09:30. Dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, who visited Japan as a missionary in 1549–51 and spent close to a year in Yamaguchi. The first floor is a museum in honor of "Sabieru", and mass is held on the second floor. An Italian architect designed the church's dazzling white interior and angular sea-blue windows. See also Christian sites in Japan‎. ¥300 for the museum.
  • Yamaguchi Daijingu. Always open. The shrine was built as a branch shrine of Ise Shrine in the Muromachi Period. Like Ise Shrine, it is rebuilt every 20 years. The shrine was especially popular during the Edo Period among people in the west who were not able to make the pilgrimage to Ise Shrine; they came here instead. Free.
  • Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media. The Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM) was established in November 2003 as a cultural-arts complex that accommodates a hall for stage performances, an exhibition space, a mini film theatre, and the Yamaguchi City Library. A platform for sharing computer- and IT-based media technology, YCAM hosts among others a variety of theatre and dance performances, art exhibitions, film screenings, sound-related events, workshops and lectures.
  • Tojun-ji, 5-27 Mizunoue-cho, +81 83-922-1028. 08:00-17:00. Tojun-ji Temple is a historic temple near Kozan Park. The temple gate and Kannon-do Hall are registered Important Cultural Properties. It is also the 16th temple of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage. Free.

Rurikōji, 7-1 Kayama (Bus to Kenchōmae, +81 83-924-9139. 09:00-17:00. This temple's five-story pagoda, which was built around 1442, is something of a city symbol. Also noteworthy are the lovely temple grounds (called "Kōzan park") and the tombs of several medieval lords. Free.

Ichinosaka River. Over the clean and beautiful small river, many cherry blossoms can be seen in spring, and in summer you will find many fireflies glowing.

Sesshu's Garden at Jouei-ji temple, 2001 Miyanoshita (JR train to Miyano, +81 83-922-2272. )8:00-17:00. Designed by the famous Zen Buddhist monk and artist Sesshu (1420-1506). ¥300.

Xavier Memorial Church, 4-1 Kameyama-chō, +81 83-920-1549. Museum Th-Tu 09:00-17:30, Catholic mass Su 09:30. Dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, who visited Japan as a missionary in 1549–51 and spent close to a year in Yamaguchi. The first floor is a museum in honor of "Sabieru", and mass is held on the second floor. An Italian architect designed the church's dazzling white interior and angular sea-blue windows. See also [[Christian sites in Japan‎]]. ¥300 for the museum.

Yamaguchi Daijingu. Always open. The shrine was built as a branch shrine of [[Ise|Ise Shrine]] in the Muromachi Period. Like Ise Shrine, it is rebuilt every 20 years. The shrine was especially popular during the Edo Period among people in the west who were not able to make the pilgrimage to Ise Shrine; they came here instead. Free.

Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media. The Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM) was established in November 2003 as a cultural-arts complex that accommodates a hall for stage performances, an exhibition space, a mini film theatre, and the Yamaguchi City Library. A platform for sharing computer- and IT-based media technology, YCAM hosts among others a variety of theatre and dance performances, art exhibitions, film screenings, sound-related events, workshops and lectures.

Tojun-ji, 5-27 Mizunoue-cho, +81 83-922-1028. 08:00-17:00. Tojun-ji Temple is a historic temple near Kozan Park. The temple gate and Kannon-do Hall are registered Important Cultural Properties. It is also the 16th temple of the [[Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage]]. Free.

  • Lantern Star Festival. Held on August 6th and 7th. The city center becomes decorated with red impressive lanterns.

Lantern Star Festival. Held on August 6th and 7th. The city center becomes decorated with red impressive lanterns.

  • Xavier Campana, 5-2 Kameyamachō, +81 83-923-6222. Bakery
  • R. Paysan, 7395-1 Ajisu, +81 836-65-3567. An Italian restaurant.
  • ANDO Luck, Terminal Hotel 1F, +81 83-973-3246. 11:30-14:00, 17:30-23:00. Cocktails and creative takes on Japanese hors d'oeuvres. It's outside the north entrance of Shin-Yamaguchi Station. ¥3500.

Xavier Campana, 5-2 Kameyamachō, +81 83-923-6222. Bakery

R. Paysan, 7395-1 Ajisu, +81 836-65-3567. An Italian restaurant.

ANDO Luck, Terminal Hotel 1F, +81 83-973-3246. 11:30-14:00, 17:30-23:00. Cocktails and creative takes on Japanese hors d'oeuvres. It's outside the north entrance of Shin-Yamaguchi Station. ¥3500.

  • Denki Brown, Yudaonsen 4-1-8, +81 83-920-4353. Discrete, sophisticated bar in heart of Yamaguchi. Serves gourmet bar food, cocktails and notable for extensive range of authentic single malts. Very pleasant atmosphere with a hint of smooth jazz.

Denki Brown, Yudaonsen 4-1-8, +81 83-920-4353. Discrete, sophisticated bar in heart of Yamaguchi. Serves gourmet bar food, cocktails and notable for extensive range of authentic single malts. Very pleasant atmosphere with a hint of smooth jazz.

Its central location provides easy access to the rest of the prefecture;

  • Hagi
  • Hofu
  • Ube
  • Mine
  • Shunan
  • Yanai
  • Nagato
  • Shimonoseki
  • Iwakuni