20 Museums in Yamaguchi worth your time

Explore Shimonoseki's history, from ancient artifacts to samurai-era documents, in a historic building.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Originated as Nagato Sonjodo, founded on October 20, 1933.
• Renamed Shimonoseki City Museum of History on April 1, 2016.
• Includes the Japan-Qing Peace Treaty Memorial Hall branch.

What to see

• Prehistoric pottery and Chofu domain documents.
• Letters and personal items of Bakumatsu patriots.
• Materials related to Wado Kaichin and the Mori family.
• Joseon Tongsinsa collection, a UNESCO Memory of the World.
• The main building, a registered national tangible cultural property.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays and the day after holidays.

Address

山口県下関市長府川端二丁目2番27号 Map

Official site

www.shimohaku.jp

Read more about Shimonoseki City Museum of History

Yamaguchi Prefectural Museum: explore local history, nature, and unique exhibits like a train simulator.

What it is

• A prefectural general museum in Yamaguchi City.
• Covers natural science and history.
• Formed in July 1950 by integrating two museums.
• Main building designed by Junzo Sakakura, opened 1967.

What to see

• Permanent exhibits of a Tyrannosaurus skeleton and dioramas.
• Exhibits machinery, specimens, and cultural heritage items.
• Simulator allows mock operation of the Yamaguchi Line train.
• Outdoor exhibits include fossils and a D60 steam locomotive.
• Main building is a five-floor reinforced concrete structure.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from JR Yamaguchi Station.

Address

山口県山口市春日町8-2 Map

Official site

www.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp

Read more about Yamaguchi Prefectural Museum

Kashiwabara Museum: discover ancient weaponry and cultural treasures, including a national treasure sword.

What it is

• A museum in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Renamed Kashiwabara Museum on October 1, 2020.
• Holds about 6,000 items.
• Known for its ancient weaponry exhibits.

What to see

• 18 designated cultural properties.
• Collection includes swords, armor, and ceramics.
• About 250 paintings are exhibited.
• Houses a national treasure sword.

When to go

• Open from 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed only during year-end and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Located in front of Iwakuni Castle Ropeway base station.
• Accessible by bus from Shin-Iwakuni Station.

Address

〒741-0081 山口県岩国市横山2丁目10-27 Map

Official site

www.iwakuni-art-museum.org

Read more about Kashiwabara Museum

This museum, in a merchant family's 1768 estate, displays 3,000 items including Japan's oldest piano.

What it is

• Art museum opened in 1965.
• Displays the private collection of the Kumaya family.
• Family residence since 1768.
• Kumaya family were powerful Edo period merchants.

What to see

• Four buildings are Important Cultural Properties.
• Collection of approximately 3,000 items.
• Paintings by Muromachi-period painter Sesshū Tōyō.
• Tea ceremony utensils by Raku ware master Keinyū.
• Folding Screen of Birds and Flowers by Unkoku Tōban.
• Oldest piano in Japan, a British-style pianoforte.

When to go

• Exhibits change a few times each year.

Address

〒758-0052　山口県萩市今魚店町47 Map

Official site

kumaya.art

Read more about Kumaya Art Museum

Explore samurai history through the Kikkawa family's 7,000 cultural treasures, including a National Treasure sword.

What it is

• A museum in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Houses 7,000 cultural properties of the Kikkawa family.

What to see

• National Treasure: Tachi sword, inscribed Tametsugu.
• Important Cultural Properties: kosode and sutra.
• Important Cultural Properties: Kikkawa family documents.
• Important Cultural Properties: Genko Shakusho and Azuma Kagami.
• Important Cultural Property: Taiheiki, by Kikkawa Motoharu.
• Prefectural Cultural Property: a landscape painting.

When to go

• Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Closed on Wednesdays.

Address

山口県岩国市横山2-7-3 Map

Official site

www.kikkawa7.or.jp

Read more about Kikkawa Historical Museum

Explore ancient Japan through artifacts and reconstructed dwellings at this free archaeological museum.

What it is

• A public archaeological museum.
• Opened on May 13, 1995.
• Dedicated to archaeological materials from Yayoi and Kofun periods.
• Adjacent to the Ayaragi-go Site.

What to see

• Exhibits of Yayoi and Kofun period artifacts.
• Outdoor ruins park with restored burial mounds.
• Outdoor ruins park with restored pit dwellings.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Annual special exhibitions are held.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Kajikuri-godaiji Station.
• Located along Prefectural Road 248.

Address

山口県下関市大字綾羅木字岡454番地 Map

Official site

www.koukohaku.shimonoseki.yamaguchi.jp

Read more about Shimonoseki City Archaeological Museum

Explore the life and works of poet Nakahara Chūya at his birthplace museum.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to poet Nakahara Chūya.
• Built on the poet's birthplace.
• Opened to the public in 1990.

What to see

• Exhibits of Nakahara Chūya's belongings.
• Displays of the poet's manuscripts.
• Permanent theme exhibitions.
• Special exhibitions changing regularly.

When to go

• Permanent theme changes annually.
• Special exhibitions change every two to three months.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Yuda Onsen Station.
• Free parking is available nearby.

Address

山口県山口市湯田温泉1-11-21 Map

Official site

www.chuyakan.jp

Read more about Nakahara Chūya Memorial Museum

Explore a historic government complex, a National Important Cultural Property, showcasing early 20th-century architecture.

What it is

• A historical material exhibition room and multi-purpose hall.
• Comprises the former prefectural government office and assembly hall.
• Construction began in 1913 and finished in 1916.
• Designed by Goichi Takeda and Yoshikuni Okuma.

What to see

• Two two-story brick structures.
• Both buildings are National Important Cultural Properties.
• The former governor's office is on display.

Getting there

• 20 minutes walk from JR Yamaguchi Station.
• Near the Prefectural Office bus stop.

Official site

www.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp

Read more about Yamaguchi Prefectural Government Museum

Learn about Japanese emigration to Hawaii in a historic building.

What it is

• A museum about Japanese emigration to Hawaii.
• Introduces the history of government-contracted emigrants.
• Housed in a 1926 private residence, donated in 1995.

What to see

• Exhibits on government-contracted emigration history.
• Displays on emigrant labor and daily life.
• A theater room for video presentations.
• A search corner for emigrant data.
• The two-story wooden building itself.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Yashirobashi bus stop.

Read more about Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaii

Hagi Museum: a modern museum built in samurai style, showcasing local history and science.

What it is

• General museum in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Founded as a science museum in June 1946.
• Reopened as Hagi Museum on November 11, 2004.
• Constructed on the former site of the Ohno Mori family residence.

What to see

• Museum structure is a samurai residence style.
• Outdoor exhibits are free to view.
• Separate exhibition room is free to view.
• Planetarium is open on Fridays.

When to go

• Visit on Fridays for the planetarium.

Address

〒758-0057　山口県萩市大字堀内355 Map

Official site

www.city.hagi.lg.jp

Read more about Hagi Museum

Modern museum in Ube's Tokiwa Park, known for its vast outdoor sculpture garden and botanical collection.

What it is

• A museum in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Part of Tokiwa Park facilities.
• Opened in 2007, integrating three existing facilities.

What to see

• Outdoor sculpture exhibition area, 28,000 square meters.
• Permanent and special exhibition areas.
• Botanical garden with eight zones.
• Renovated botanical garden, opened in 1995.

When to go

• UBE Biennale held biennially in special exhibition area.
• Closed on Tuesdays.

Official site

www.tokiwapark.jp

Read more about Ube Tokiwa Museum

Explore the salvaged remains of a WWII battleship at this unique museum.

What it is

• A municipal museum dedicated to the battleship Mutsu.
• Completed in November 1972, relocated in 1994.

What to see

• Exhibits of artifacts and relics from the battleship Mutsu.
• A bow anchor and anchor chain are displayed at the entrance.
• Outdoor exhibits include a screw and a 14cm secondary gun.
• A salvaged bow section of the battleship is on display.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 to 16:30.
• No closing days.

Official site

nagisapark.jimdofree.com

Read more about Mutsu Memorial Museum

The Mōri Museum offers a glimpse into a historic family's residence, garden, and treasured artifacts.

What it is

• Part of the Mōri family's main residence.
• Opened in 1967.
• Main residence completed in 1916.
• Houses approximately 20,000 cultural artifacts.

What to see

• Main residence with 10 buildings and 60 rooms.
• Wooden, tile-roofed structure made of cypress.
• Garden with a 7,934 square meter pond.
• National treasures and important cultural properties.

When to go

• National Treasure exhibition every November.

Address

〒747-0023　山口県防府市多々良1-15-1 Map

Official site

www.c-able.ne.jp

Read more about Mōri Museum

A unique museum dedicated to fireflies, offering a fascinating look at these luminous insects.

What it is

• A museum in Toyoda Town, Shimonoseki City.
• Opened on June 5, 2004.
• Also known as Shimonoseki City Museum of Natural History since 2020.
• Exhibits firefly specimens and related materials.

What to see

• Building modeled after the Genji firefly.
• Various special exhibitions.
• Nature observation events.

Getting there

• Located near Michi-no-Eki Hotaru Kaido Nishinoichi.
• Located near Koya River.

Address

〒750-0441　山口県下関市豊田町中村50-3 Map

Official site

www.hotaru-museum.jp

Read more about Firefly Museum of Toyota Town

Modern art museum in Shimonoseki, featuring Japanese and Oriental art, worth visiting for its diverse collection.

What it is

• A public art museum in Shimonoseki City.
• Opened in 1983.
• Houses the Kawamura Collection.
• Holds about 2400 items as of May 2021.

What to see

• Works by Takashima Hokkai and Kishida Ryusei.
• Ancient Oriental artworks.
• Works by Kano Hogai.
• The Kawamura Collection of about 300 works.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays, except holidays.
• Closed during year-end and New Year holidays.

Address

〒752-0986 山口県下関市長府黒門東町1-1 Map

Official site

www.city.shimonoseki.lg.jp

Read more about Shimonoseki City Art Museum

Kanmon Plaza is a unique rest stop with a shop and special spring water.

What it is

• Material exhibition facility operated by West Nippon Expressway Company.
• Formerly known as Shimonoseki PA.
• Shop with eat-in, takeout, and tourism information opened in 2021.

What to see

• Outdoor faucet with spring water containing seawater.
• Disaster-responsive vending machines installed in 2006.

Getting there

• Next to the Kanmon National Tunnel pedestrian entrance.

Read more about Kanmon Plaza

This museum commemorates Kaiten torpedo pilots, offering a poignant look into a WWII weapon.

What it is

• Opened in 1968, renovated in 1998.
• On the former site of Kaiten crew quarters.
• Dedicated to human-piloted Kaiten torpedo weapon pilots.
• Operated by Shunan City.

What to see

• About 300 items on display from 1,000 artifacts.
• A Kaiten monument stands on the site.
• A bell tower is also on the premises.
• View a restored Kaiten model.
• Grave markers with names line the entrance.

Official site

www.city.shunan.lg.jp

Read more about Kaiten Memorial Museum

This museum showcases ukiyo-e and ceramics, featuring works by Hokusai and Utamaro.

What it is

• An art museum in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Opened on October 14, 1996.
• Specializes in ukiyo-e, oriental ceramics, and pottery.
• Founded on a donation of 2280 items by Toshiro Uragami.

What to see

• Main building designed by Kenzo Tange.
• Ceramics building added in 2010.
• Works by Katsushika Hokusai and Kitagawa Utamaro.
• Received two stars in the Michelin Green Guide.

Address

〒758-0074　山口県萩市平安古町586-1 Map

Official site

www.hum.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp

Read more about Hagi Uragami Museum

Explore Shunan's art and history, featuring photographer Tadahiko Hayashi and local heritage.

What it is

• A museum in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Opened on September 4, 1995.
• Exhibits photography, art, and history materials.
• Focuses on works by photographer Tadahiko Hayashi.

What to see

• Permanent collection exhibition room.
• Tadahiko Hayashi Memorial Room.
• Art by artists connected to Tokuyama.
• Historical exhibits on Tao, Mori clans, Tokuyama Domain.

Official site

s-bunka.jp

Read more about Shūnan City Museum of Art and History

YCAM is a modern arts and media center with unique architecture and exhibitions.

What it is

• A complex facility for arts and media.
• Opened in 2003, also known as YCAM.
• Focuses on media art exhibitions and production.
• Designed by architect Arata Isozaki.

What to see

• The distinctive building designed by Arata Isozaki.
• Media art exhibitions and production facilities.
• A library, hall, and art museum.
• Located within Yamaguchi City Central Park.

Official site

www.ycam.jp

Read more about Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media