Kikuya Yokocho Alley

A historic alley remains in the castle town of Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The gridded streets are lined with residences of middle- and lower-ranking samurai, and the street layout still retains its original form, preserving the atmosphere of earlier times. The alley is named after the Kikuya family, wealthy merchants of the domain, whose residence once stood along Onarimichi, the road used by the shogun. Nearby, there are also alleys bearing the names of wealthy merchants such as Edoya and Iseya, still conveying the origins of the castle town today.

Along the street are the birthplace of Takasugi Shinsaku, a patriot of the late Edo period, and the former residence that is also the birthplace of Tanaka Giichi, the 26th Prime Minister of Japan. Nearby, Shinsaku Square has been developed, and the “Statue of Takasugi Shinsaku’s Aspiration” has been erected there.

The castle-town scenery, with its rows of white namako walls, has been selected as one of the “100 Best Roads in Japan.” On sunny days, the namako walls shine brightly in the sunlight, creating an even more beautiful view. Around May, natsumikan, a local specialty of Hagi, comes into bloom. The white flowers peeking over the earthen walls, the natsumikan fruit, and their sweet fragrance are also part of the seasonal charm of this street.