Guide
Hagi Castle Ruins, located in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is currently maintained as Shizuki Park. Originally built in 1604 by Mori Terumoto, the site features a 'hirayama-jiro' (flatland mountain castle) structure. Although the main keep and turrets were dismantled during the Meiji-era castle abolition decree, the stone walls, moats, and various historical structures remain preserved as a national historic site. The surrounding area is dotted with culturally significant tea rooms, shrines, and the remains of samurai residences.
Hagi Castle was constructed by the Mori clan as a new seat of power following the Battle of Sekigahara. Utilizing the natural topography at the foot of Mt. Shizuki, the castle is situated on a delta surrounded by the sea on three sides. For approximately 250 years during the Edo period, it served as the political and administrative center of the Choshu Domain (Hagi Domain). While the primary structures were dismantled in 1874, the site remains a vital historical landmark, preserved through its stone walls, moats, and reconstructed architectural elements.
The park contains various remains that showcase the original castle layout. At the Honmaru (main enclosure) site, you can see the stone walls and moats where a five-story keep once stood at a height of 14.4 meters. The park also features the 'Hanae Tei' tea house, where the last daimyo Mori Takachika reportedly discussed politics with high-ranking officials and activists, as well as the 'Riba-ke Tea Room,' a relocated historical building. These sites offer a glimpse into the political and cultural life of the Edo period. Additionally, the area near the San-no-maru reflects the layout of former samurai residences.
The landscape changes beautifully with the seasons. Spring is particularly famous for cherry blossom viewing, with approximately 600 Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom. A rare highlight is the 'Midori-yoshino,' a unique variety of cherry tree with pure white petals found only in Hagi, which is designated as a natural monument of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The park also features a natural forest with various species such as Castanopsis and Camphor trees, providing a lush, green environment for nature lovers.
Visitors can experience history through modern technology via VR (Virtual Reality). Using a smartphone or tablet, you can access the 'Hagi Sekai-to-ru Adventure,' a digital reconstruction of the lost Hagi Castle Keep. Free tablets are available for loan at the information desk, allowing you to visually overlay the digital castle structure onto the current stone walls and moats. This makes it easy to grasp the scale and shape of the former main keep.
The area surrounding Shizuki Park is steeped in history. Near the castle ruins, you will find the Samurai District, a group of traditional residences designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Nearby landmarks include the Matsushita Shoka (where revolutionaries like Takasugi Shinsaku studied) and the former residence of Kido Takayoshi, making it an excellent route for a historical walking tour. For more context, the Hagi Museum offers detailed models of the castle and reconstructed structures.
As the park covers a wide area with stone walls and sloped paths, comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Please observe local etiquette as the site contains shrines and sacred historical buildings. If you wish to use the VR experience, please bring your own smartphone or use the rental service. Additionally, 'Goshuin' (castle stamps/seals) are available for purchase at the entrance for 500 JPY.