Visit Hagi

01/04/2026

Have you tried Hagi’s famous natsumikan oranges? 🍊
This local specialty has a surprisingly rich history behind it!
This year marks 150 years since natsumikan began to be commercially cultivated, and to celebrate, Hagi Museum is holding a limited-time exhibition all about this citrus fruit. I loved seeing old photos of Hagi and learning how natsumikan were used not just for food, but even in everyday life (like natural cleaning oils!). The exhibition runs until June 21, so don’t miss it if you’re nearby! There’s also a fun stamp rally—collect them all and you’ll get a cute commemorative badge featuring Hagi’s mascot, Hagi-nyan! 🤩
Natsumikan season is around May, when you can spot the bright oranges all over the city. You can enjoy them as fresh juice, soft-serve ice cream, or even pick your own at the Natsumikan Festival on May 9–10!
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

05/02/2026

It’s that time of year again, when Hagi is beautifully decorated with Hina dolls for the Hina Dolls Festival 🎎✨

This year, I had the opportunity to help set up a display at the Kuchiba Family Residence. I’ve seen Hina dolls on display many times before, but this was my first time helping with the setup, and it was such a great experience. Seeing up close the care that goes into preserving these dolls—and imagining how much time and skill must have gone into creating them—made me appreciate them even more. There are so many beautiful details to enjoy, but I especially loved the tiny tea ceremony utensils 🍵

Until April 3rd, Hina doll displays can be seen at 15 different cultural heritage sites around Hagi. These dolls are traditionally believed to protect young girls and wish them good health, and are displayed especially for the Hina Dolls Festival. Why not come and see them for yourself? 👀🌸
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

17/01/2026

Happy New Year! ✨
In Japan, many people start the year with Hatsumode—the first shrine or temple visit of the year—where they pray for good fortune and protection from bad luck.
Although a little belated, I finally made it to Shoin Shrine for my Hatsumode this year!

Shoin Shrine is dedicated to Yoshida Shoin, a key figure in Japan’s Meiji Restoration.
There’s so much to share about this special place, but since it’s Hatsumode season, I wanted to focus on the omikuji (fortune slips).
While omikuji are usually small pieces of paper, Shoin Shrine has the cutest umbrella-shaped omikuji ☂️
It’s tradition to tie your omikuji to trees or branches to leave bad luck behind, and here the bushes and trees are decorated with these colorful little umbrellas!

I heard someone on TV recently say that technically, Hatsumode doesn’t really have a deadline… so if you happen to find yourself near Hagi sometime this year, why not stop by Shoin Shrine and experience it for yourself? 😉
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

26/12/2025

It’s almost the end of 2025—can you believe it? 😳
This year in Hagi has been full of special moments, including the 10th anniversary of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution gaining UNESCO World Heritage Site status!

To celebrate, there were a variety of fun and memorable events in Hagi, such as:
🃏 A card-collecting challenge, where those visiting the heritage sites received a commemorative card (with a rare bonus card for those who visited them all!)
⛵ A modern sailing ship visit near Ebisugahana Shipyard, one of Hagi’s World Heritage Sites, featuring sailing drills and even a mini cruise
✨ Light-ups, quiz rallies, and more!

While many of the anniversary events have now wrapped up, Hagi’s World Heritage Sites are always here—offering beautiful scenery and a glimpse into Japan’s history all year round.
I especially recommend visiting the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace and the Castle Town ruins in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, or in late spring (May), when the gentle scent of Natsumikan orange blossoms fills the air.

Have you visited any of Hagi’s World Heritage sites?
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

16/12/2025

The Christmas season is here! 🎄✨
Every year during the holidays, Hagi Station lights up with beautiful Christmas illuminations—a lot of them handmade by local elementary school students and newly created each year.
Can you spot the differences from last year’s displays? 😊

The Christmas illuminations at Hagi Station will be shining bright until January 5, 2026, so be sure to stop by if you’re in the area!
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

23/10/2025

The Hagi Open-Air Expo is back this year! 🎉
With all kinds of fun programs created by local residents and businesses, it’s a fantastic way to connect with the community and enjoy activities inspired by the town’s history, culture, food, and more.
There are lots of new programs this year too—I can’t wait to try some myself! Here are some photos from the programs I joined last year, so you can get an idea of the fun that awaits 😉
For more info, check out their website: https://hagi-machihaku.com/html/en/
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

📷Photo # 1, # 9 & # 10 by Kazuma Yoshiga
📷Photo # 2 by Yasushi Amano
📷Photo # 3 by Yuzuru Shibata

26/09/2025

"Kimono Week in Hagi" will be held from October 1st to November 15th!
Hagi City's streets still vividly preserve the feel of a samurai castle town—it's the ideal backdrop for a beautiful kimono stroll.
Easily rent a kimono (dressing included!) at local shops throughout the city.
Kimono Week is packed with unforgettable events, including photo services and hands-on Japanese cultural experiences.
Why not take this opportunity to step back into the Japan of old?
Details here: https://www.hagishi.com/kimono/

10/08/2025

⛵ Set sail and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage registration of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution! ⛵

A sailing ship based in Kobe, MIRAIE will be visiting Hagi at Ebisugahana Shipyard, one of Hagi’s Meiji Industrial Revolution World Heritage Sites on the 6th and 7th of September. Various fun activities will be held, including free onboard tours, sailing drills, mini cruises (\2,000 for adults & \1,000 for children aged 6+), guided walks of the historic shipyard ruins, and more! ⚓
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

For more information, check the link below (Japanese only):
https://www.city.hagi.lg.jp/soshiki/14/h66153.html

(Please note that some of the activities require prior registration, which can be done via an online form found on the website above. Registrations open August 12!)

〒758-8555　山口県萩市大字江向510番地 0838-25-3131(代表) 組織別問い合わせ先一覧 開庁時間：午前8時30分から午後5時15分（土曜、日曜、祝日及び年末年始を除く） ※出生、死亡などの戸籍の届出は、土曜、日曜、祝日などの閉....

04/08/2025

✨Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution Card Collection Challenge✨

Did you know? The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” will reach its 10th anniversary since its registration!
To celebrate, those who visit any of the registered heritage sites will receive special cards commemorating this milestone—and of course, this includes the sites in Hagi!

What’s more, collecting specific cards will earn you rare & special edition cards as a gift 👀🎁

Why not set off on a fun and educational adventure this summer to explore these historical sites?
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

📅 Period:
1st of July to 30th of September, 2025

📍 Locations in Hagi:
Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, Ebisugahana Shipyard, Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works, Hagi Castle Town, Shokasonjuku Academy & Meirin Gakusha Visitor Center

For details about card distribution locations outside of Hagi and more instructions, please check the official website below (Japanese only):
https://10anniversary-jmir.com/news-topics/475

「明治日本の産業革命遺産 製鉄・製鋼、造船、石炭産業」は2015年7月に世界文化遺産に登録され、2025年に10周年を迎えます。10周年に向けたプロモーションの一環として本特設サイトをオープン。記念イベントやニュースな....

24/07/2025

Ways to enjoy Hagi’s summer, Part 2: Fireworks! 🎆
Summer in Japan means fireworks festivals—and Hagi has two of them!

✨ Susa Bay Fireworks Festival (July 28th) ✨
📍 Susa Bay (about 50 minutes by car from the center of Hagi)
Set by the harbor and surrounded by nature, another thing that makes this fireworks festival extra special is that they also have anime song artists come and perform live!
🎭 Kagura performances from 4 PM
🎤 Anime songs from 7 PM (featuring Kitadani Hiroshi (who sang an opening from One Piece and is actually from Susa!) & Ishida Yoko (who sang songs from Sailor Moon and Fairy Tail!)
🎆 Fireworks from 8 PM

✨ Hagi Fireworks Festival (August 1st) ✨
📍 Kikugahama Beach
Sit back and enjoy the fireworks right from Hagi’s coast!
I especially love watching the fireworks’ reflections shimmer across the ocean.
🎆 Fireworks from 8 PM
🥳 Followed by festivals and traditional song & dance parades on the 2nd and 3rd of August (more on that soon!)

Stay tuned for more ways to enjoy summer in Hagi! 🌺
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

More info here:https://www.hagishi.com/en/search/detail.php?d=900026

19/07/2025

Ways to enjoy Hagi’s summer, Part 1: The Beach! 🏖️☀️
Summer’s in full swing, and Hagi is the perfect place to soak it all in. If you’re nearby—or planning a trip to Japan—be sure to stop by to enjoy it to the fullest!

Kikugahama Beach, a local favorite, has a designated swimming area open from mid-July to late August. There are cute little beach huts serving delicious treats like yakisoba and shaved ice, and you can even rent floaties and swim rings! ✨
The views of the Sea of Japan are so beautiful, and the water itself is the perfect temperature to cool off from the summer heat. 🌊

This year, the swimming area is open until the 24th of August!
Stay tuned for more ways to enjoy summer in Hagi! 🌺
（HAGI City CIR Hannah）

More info here:https://www.hagishi.com/en/locations/kikugahama/