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The summer villa of Tanaka Giichi who served as a decorated member of the Imperial Army before becoming Prime Minister of Japan from 1927-1929. As a military officer, he influenced armywide policies and developed strategies that aided in Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War. After the war, he worked in Manchuria to protect Japanese interests and directed the military to go after Communists and stifle Chinese attempts at reunifying with ambitions to make Manchuria a part of the Japanese Empire and expanding from there. Not long after he became Prime Minister, the ruler of Chinese Manchuria and ally of Japan, Zhang Zuolin, was assassinated by rogue members of the Japanese army. The assassination was condemned in both China and Japan. After Emperor Hirohito made a statement against Tanaka, he and many members of his cabinet stepped down. He died just a few months after resigning.
The villa features pictures and items of Tanaka, along with his army uniforms. Outside there is a natsu mikan orchard, which was planted by the man who lived here before Tanaka.
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旧児玉家庭園
Former residence of a high-ranking samurai. It has its own docking port connected to the Hashimoto River that allowed the family to come and go by boat directly from their home. A nice garden was built around the docking port that you can still see today.
大照院
The Mori warlords who aren't at Toko-ji are buried here - along with the graves of several retainers, who committed seppuku upon the death of their masters. The atmosphere at Daisho-in is strikingly calm, though, compared to the pomp of Tokoji. Daishoin is listed among the temples of the Chugoku 33 Temple Pilgrimage.
渡辺蒿蔵旧宅
Considered a leader in shipbuilding who helped construct the Tategami dock, said to have been the best dock in all of Asia at the time. In his youth, Watanabe studied at the Shoka Sonjuku before traveling to the United States and United Kingdom to study naval architecture. He returned to become one of the heads of the Nagasaki Shipyard. The house is larger than most in Hagi. In addition to the main house, there is also a storehouse, a tearoom, and a garden.
山口県立萩美術館・浦上記念館
Features displays of Asian pottery and Japanese ukiyo-e (wood-block prints).
口羽家住宅
Built between the late 18th century and early 19th century, it's one of the oldest samurai residences in Hagi. It was home to one of the domain's top officials. The house has a nice view of the Hashimoto River.
高杉晋作誕生地
A highly-influential samurai who trained at the Shoka Sonjuku. He was the first to create a militia that recruited commoners that became known as the Kiheitai. After witnessing the defeat of his domain by Western powers, he pushed for modernization in the military, giving rifles to his Kiheitai soldiers. The simple belief that modernization would benefit Japan evolved into anti-Tokugawa sentiment as the Tokugawa actively opposed modernizing. He and his army won a civil war in the Choshu Domain to oust supporters of the Tokugawa and fended off direct attempts by the Tokugawa to regain control with weapons he'd imported from abroad. Other domains took note and began siding with the Choshu having proven their superiority. Although he died of tuberculosis in 1867, his leadership created the momentum that toppled the bakufu the following year.
The house remains with exhibits facing outside for visitors (you cannot step into the house). The well outside is where he was bathed after his birth.