Page 224 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

222  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

d Iwakuni f Yamaguchi
Iwakuni Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi prefecture. * 150,100. Yamaguchi prefecture. * 190,000. £
£ Sanyo Shinkansen line to Shin- n Yamaguchi stn, 1st Floor, (083) 933-
Iwakuni, JR Sanyo line to Iwakuni. 0090. _ Gion Matsuri (Jul 20–27). ∑
n at 2F bus terminal near Iwakuni yamaguchi-city.jp/w/en/index.html
stn, (082) 721-6050.
Laid out in the 14th century,
The town of Iwakuni’s main Yamaguchi was modeled on
draw is the elegant Kintai-kyo, Kyoto. When the Jesuit Francis
or “brocade sash” bridge. It earns Xavier visited here in 1550 he
its name from the rippling effect found a city of incred ible wealth
created by its five linked arches. and sophistication. The Xavier
The ori ginal structure, built in Memorial Chapel, built in 1952,
1673, was destroyed by a marks the 400th anniversary of
typhoon in 1950. Rebuilt in the priest’s two-month stay. The
an almost exact replica of the painter Sesshu (1420–1506)
original, the bridge depends on designed a garden for the tem- In the limestone Akiyoshido Cave
first-rate joinery and an invisible ple of Joei-ji on the outskirts of in the Akiyoshi-dai Tablelands
quantity of reinforced steel. town. To the north of Yama guchi,
Beyond the bridge in Kikko the temple of Ruriko-ji has a open to the pub lic. Passageways
Park are a number of samurai Japanese cypress-wood, five- are well lit, and a clear map
houses, including the beau tiful story pagoda. Nearby is a set of is provided.
Mekata House. A short stroll tombs belonging to the Mori
west of the park lies Iwakuni family, another influential clan. } Akiyoshido Cave
Art Museum, housing an Tel (0837) 62-0305. Open daily. &
impressive display of armor and g Akiyoshi-dai
weapons. A cable car takes h Hagi
visitors to Iwakuni Castle, a Tablelands
faithful 1962 recon struction Akiyoshi-dai Tablelands Hagi
of the original 1608 donjon. Yamaguchi prefecture. * 53,000
There is a good view from here Yamaguchi prefecture. @ from Yama- £ @ n (0838) 25-1750.
guchi. n at bus stn (0837) 62-0305.
of the town and surrounding _ Hagi-yaki Festival (May 1–5).
countryside and, on fine days, Akiyoshi-dai is a massive
the islands of the Inland Sea. limestone plateau of grassland An intensely cultural city, Hagi
and rocky outcrops, which tour was a minor fishing port until
E Mekata House buses pass on their way to Mori Terumoto forti fied it in
Open Tue–Sun. Akiyoshido Cave, one of the 1604. Mori samurai helped
P Iwakuni Art Museum largest limestone grottos in spark off the anti-Tokugawa
Tel (0827) 41-0506. Asia. The cave is 10 km (6 miles) revolt in the mid-19th century,
Open Fri–Wed. & deep, only 1 km (half a mile) is and many of Meiji Japan’s

Five-arched “brocade sash” bridge at Iwakuni
For hotels and restaurants see pp304–5 and pp331–3

222-223_EW_Japan.indd 222 08/08/16 3:08 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm