Yamaguchi City was selected as one of the "52 Places to Go in 2024" by The New York Times!!
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- Yamaguchi City was selected as one of the "52 Places to Go in 2024" by The New York Times!!
On January 9th, 2024, The New York Times announced the "52 Places to Go in 2024", and Yamaguchi City was the only place selected from Japan. The magazine selects and announces travel destination around the world every January. In 2024, Yamaguchi City was introduced third after North America's "Path of Totality" for the total solar eclipse and "Paris," which is preparing for the Olympics.
Why Yamaguchi City was selected? The writer Craig Mod recommended the city.
The article says that Yamaguchi City is often called the "Kyoto of the West", but actually it is much
more interesting than Kyoto.
The article highlights the city's compact size, which makes it less
prone to tourism pollution, and its unique attractions such as the Ruriko-ji Temple Five-Story
Pagoda that is currently undergoing large-scale renovation, the Gion Festival that has been held for
600 years, and the Yuda Onsen known for its skin-beautifying hot springs. The article also mentions
small coffee shops and restaurants in narrow alleys.
Here are some of the spots introduced in the
article, centered around the Ruriko-ji Temple Five-Story Pagoda.
National Treasure Ruriko-ji Temple Five-Story Pagoda ~Passing on the Treasure of Yamaguchi to Future Generations through the Major Renovation of the Reiwa Era~
The "National Treasure Ruriko-ji Temple Five-story Pagoda", which was praised as
"flawless" in the article by The New York Times, is the symbol of Yamaguchi City, called the "Kyoto
of the West".
To preserve this, which is the pride of not only the citizens of Yamaguchi City but
also the prefecture, for future generations, a full-scale roof replacement project using cypress
bark is now carrying out for first time in about 70 years. Due to this, the entire pagoda is covered
with a sheet and you cannot see its usual beautiful appearance, but rather, we will introduce three
ultra-rare experiences that can only be done now because of the renovation.
Ultra-rare Experience 1 First-time relocation! Special visit to the "secret Buddha" of Ruriko-ji Temple
The "Amida Nyorai sitting statue" and the "Ouchi Yoshihiro Konyudo sitting statue" that are
usually enshrined in the five-story pagoda have been moved to the temple's main hall only during
the renovation.
As far the temple records show, it seems that this is the first time that the
Amida Nyorai sitting statue has been moved.
This is a valuable special visit for a limited
time.
*Photography and videography of the secret Buddha are prohibited. Please be noted.
| Admission fee | 1000 yen (two picture postcards come with the ticket. Admission to the Ruriko-ji Temple Museum is also possible with the admission ticket.) |
|---|---|
| Reception location | Goshuin reception desk |
Ultra-rare Experience 2 Your name is engraved on a national treasure!?
The five-layered roof of the Five-Story Pagoda, which enhances its beauty, is covered with the
bark of Japanese cypress. This time, as part of a complete roof renovation, work is being done
to replace the damaged cypress bark with new ones.
As a special experience that only occures
during this reroofing, you can write your wishes or name on the cypress bark used for the roof
of the Five-Story Pagada.
After wetting each piece of bark, they are carefully stacked layer
by layer, taking into account their height and balance, and fixed with bamboo nails.
It
should be a pleasure to see your name or wishes written on the cypress bark become part of a
national treasure, and your fondness for the pagoda will increase every time you visit.
This
is a rare opportunity that comes only once in about 70 years, as it is a major renovation. Why
not leave a commemoration while being grateful for being able to witness it?
| Application period | Until around May 2024 (the end date may be earlier depending on the progress of the work) |
|---|---|
| Fee | 10,000 yen per bundle of cypress bark (cypress bark cannot be taken home) |
Ultra-rare Experience 3 Witnessing a historic moment of the Reiwa renovation!
What kind of renovation work is being done inside the sheet?
You can watch live footage of the renovation work that everyone is curious about at the Ruriko-ji
Museum.
Since the work is progressing in real-time right inside the sheet nearby, you can
feel as if you are there and want to keep watching forever.
See the traditional techniques
that should be passed down to the next generation with your own eyes.
You can also watch a
video introducing the structure inside the pagoda.
| Admission fee | 200 yen/adult, 100 yen/junior-high and high school student, and 50 yen/elementary shool student (free for those who have a secret Buddha visiting ticket) |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
Tourist attractions featured in the article
National Treasure Rurikoji Five Storey Pagoda
This five story pagoda was planned by Ouchi Moriharu in 1442 to mourn his brother Ouchi Yoshihiro
who lost his life in the battle of Oei.
The pagoda is 31.2m in height, in Japanese style,
partly Chinese.
Roofs are thatched with cypress, sharp and very simply shaped.
One of the
remarkably excellent architecture in the mid-Muromachi period and the best work in Ouchi
culture. Counted as one of the top three towers in Japan.
| Location | Kozancho 7-1, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Reference Link | https://www.visit-jy.com/en/spots/12282 |
Ichinosaka River
Cherry blossom trees line continues for 600 meters on both sides of Ichinozaka river. Illumination during the night time in the blooming
| Location | Ushirogawara, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Reference Link | https://www.visit-jy.com/en/spots/12484 |
Toshunji Temple Sanmon Gate
The Sanmon gate inside Toshunji temple is the quadruped gate with 7.27m in width, 3.35m depth,
and cypress thatched roof.
The gate was built by Ouchi Moriharu in 1400 together with
Kokushoji temple.
Although Kokushoji temple got burned down later, the gate remained since it
was distanced from the temple.
Sanmon gate got renovated later and changed its roof from tile
roofing to cypress thatched.
| Location | Mizunokamicho 5-27, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Reference Link | https://www.visit-jy.com/en/spots/12283 |
The Yamaguchi Gion festival
The Yamaguchi Gion festival to tell summer Visit to Yamaguchi is the interval of approximately
600 years followed by the classic Festival which is in Annual festival of the Yasaka Shrine that
Ouchi Clan did 歓請 from Kyoto in The Muromachi Period to this day.
*20th God good luck 24th
Residents total Dance 27 日御還幸
| Location | Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi vertical Alley and central shopping street |
|---|---|
| Reference Link | https://www.visit-jy.com/en/spots/18470 |
Yuda Onsen
These hot springs are known for the richest amount of water in Sanyo. The springs are categorized in alkaline simple hot springs and well hydrates with the skin.
The origin is the historical hot spring since the Muromachi period. The legend tells about a wounded white fox used to heal its body by foot bathing in this hot spring.
| Location | Yuda Hot Spring, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Reference Link | https://www.visit-jy.com/en/spots/12262 |
Yamaguchi Other recommendations
Amazing views
"What is Yamaguchi prefecture like?" "What else is there besides Yamaguchi city?" If you are wondering about these questions, we'd love to tell you about the must-visit tourist spots, such as photogenic spots and places where full of stories and historical significance for history buffs. These spots are highly recommended for those who are traveling to Yamaguchi prefecture for the first time.
Onsen
Various hot springs such as Nagato Yumoto Onsen, Tawarayama Onsen, and Kawatana Onsen are gushing out all over Yamaguchi prefecture, including Yuda Onsen, which was introduced in a New York Times article. You can choose the perfect hot spring according to your purpose, whether you want to enjoy a scenic hot spring overlooking the blue sea, want to become beautiful, want to recuperate with hot springs, or want to eat and walk around the hot spring town.
Local Cuisine
"In addition to Yamaguchi's famous "Fugu (blowfish)" cuisine, Yamaguchi is also known for its
delicious local dishes such as "Kawara soba" which is fun to look at, and local sake which
has received high praise worldwide.
rom easy-to-eat dishes to luxurious ones, we will
inntroduce you to the recommended gourmet foods and souvenirs that you shouldn't miss when
you come to Yamaguchi."
Event
In Yamaguchi prefecture, various events that attract visitors throughout the year are held. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing, and in summer, you can enjoy the Yamaguchi Gion Festival, fireworks, and other events, as well as beautiful autumn leaves in autumn. In winter, there is the mountain burning of Akiyoshidai. Let's fully enjoy the local charm with the events held throughout the year in Yamaguchi.
Recommended Trip to Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi prefecture, which is blessed with attractive tourist spots such as nature, history, and
delicious gourmet food, is full of attractions!
We will introduce recommended itineraries for
touring Yamaguchi prefecture.
