From Wikitravel

Yamaguchi (山口) 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" in the Medieval Period. We can find lots of traces of its prosperity there.

[edit] Districts

The area of Yamaguchi is very large. Therefore, it can be devided into some districts.

• Old town of Yamaguchi(I) - Yamaguchi Station, Rurikoji, Shopping district, St. Xavier's Church, etc.
• Ouchi district including Niho and Osaba(II)
• Shin-Yamaguchi district;New town of Yamaguchi(III, IV) - Shin Yamaguchi Station
• Aio(V)
• Ajisu(VI) - Kirara Dome
• Tokuji(VII)

[edit] Understand

Yamaguchi City is the seat of prefectural government, so it functions as the "capital" of this prefecture. However, it is not a big city and impresses us as a planned city. Actually, it is a planned city where Hiroyo Ouchi, the liege lord of this region, 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 Ouchi family prospered, this city also flourished and it was called "Kyoto in the West" in those days. Especially, while Kyoto was devastated by Onin war, Yamaguchi developed as the alternative capital. Many cultured people and foreigners visited the city. It was as if Yamaguchi was practically the capital of Japan. But regrettably the destruction of this family in 1551 caused the city to fall. We can see a lot of things in this city that suggests its prosperity in medieval times.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Yamaguchi Ube Airport(UBJ) in Ube is the prefecure's largest airport. You can take a bus from the airport to Shin-Yamaguchi station.

[edit] By train

Yamaguchi's main train station(Yamaguchi Station) is located separately from Shin-Yamaguchi (新山口), a station on the San'yo Shinkansen route. Regular trains connect both stations in 15-25 minutes.

Shin-Yamaguchi is a bullet train station stop for only a few Nozomi trains, most Hikari trains, and all of the Kodama all-station trains. By a combination of bullet train and local train, Yamaguchi is about 60-70 minutes from Hakata in Fukuoka (¥5860 via Nozomi), about 2 1/2 hours from Osaka (¥12890 via Nozomi) and about 5 hours from Tokyo (¥20960 via Nozomi).

Note that you cannot use NOZOMI trains with the Japan Rail Pass.

[edit] Get around

JR Yamaguchi Line goes through the city.

[edit][add listing] See

• Rurikōji Temple (瑠璃光寺)

Famed for its five-story pagoda.

• Ichinosaka-gawa River (一の坂川)

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

• Sesshu's Garden of Joueiji Temple (常栄寺雪舟庭)

Sesshu is one of the most prominent artists in Muromachi Period. He worked in Yamaguchi and created this dry landscape garden.

• St. Xavier's Church (ザビエル記念聖堂)

The memorial church of St. Xavier, who devoted himself to the propagation of Christianity in Yamaguchi.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Festivals

• Lantern Star Festival(山口七夕ちょうちん祭り)

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

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Xavier Campana[1] - Bakery
• R. Paysan - Italian restaurant.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Teshima Ryokan
• Matsudaya Hotel
• Hotel La Francesca, Yamaguchi [2]

[edit] Get out

Other cities in Yamaguchi Prefecture

• Shimonoseki
• Hagi
• Iwakuni

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