Hagi Castle Ruins

Hagi, Japan, Japan

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Hagi Castle Ruins are the remains of a castle built in 1604 by Mōri Terumoto in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, after he was forced to relocate following the Battle of Sekigahara.

The castle served as the political center of the Chōshū Domain and the seat of the powerful Mōri clan for more than 250 years during the Edo period. The castle was strategically constructed on Mount Shizuki beside the sea, using natural surroundings, stone walls, and moats for defense.

Although the main structures were demolished in 1874 after the Meiji Restoration, many stone foundations, moats, and sections of the castle layout remain visible today. Now part of Shizuki Park, the ruins are a major historical attraction and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. Visitors can explore the scenic grounds while learning about the history of the Mōri clan and the role Hagi played in the modernization of Japan.