The main train station in Hagi is JR Higashi-Hagi Station.
Buses to JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station and nearby tourist destinations (Akiyoshidai, Tsuwano, etc.) depart from this station. All buses also stop at the Hagi Bus Center in downtown Hagi. Highway buses that make round trips between Tokyo and Hagi also stop at the Hagi Bus Center.
The Hagi City Circular Hop-on Bus (Hagi Jyunkan Ma-ru Bus) is a convenient way to get around the city. This bus offers two routes around Hagi that depart every 45 minutes.
Hagi is a very flat city, so it’s easy to get around on a bicycle.
Hagi City Circular Hop-on Bus Service
(Hagi Jyunkan Ma-ru Bus 萩循環まぁーるバス)
The Hagi City Circular Hop-on Bus is a community bus that travels between the main tourism destinations in Hagi, JR Higashi-Hagi Station, and the Hagi Bus Center. The bus departs every 45 minutes, and there are two routes: an East Route and a West Route. The fare is ¥100 per ride, no matter how far you go.
- ◆ Fare: ¥100 per ride
- ◆ Bus passes: ¥500 for a one-day pass, ¥700 for a two-day pass
- Transportation-related smart cards (Suica, ICOCA, etc.) are accepted.
- Yamaguchi bus passes are accepted.
- Infants below the age of one are free.
- Up to three children from the ages of one to six may ride for free with a single adult passenger.
- ◆ Bus routes (two routes: East Route and West Route)
- West Route:
Hagi Castle Ruins, Hagi Castle Town, Kikugahama, Hamasaki, and other bus stops - East Route:
Shoin Jinja, Tokoji, Hagi Hansharo, Teramachi, Hamasaki, and other bus stops - First departure at 7:00, final departure at 17:30 (Hagi City Hall is the first and last stop for both routes.)
- *Departures every 45 minutes
- West Route:
Car rental
Because Hagi is a small city and its tourist destinations have parking lots, we suggest renting a car for sightseeing. That will allow you to enjoy the historical townscape in the city center and explore the beautiful countryside and seaside roads on the outskirts of the city.
• In order to rent a car, visitors who do not have a Japanese driver’s license must present an international driving permit.
Car rental companies
- Toyota Yamaguchi Rental & Leasing Co., Ltd., Hagi Branch
- Tel: +81 838-24-0100
Click here to make a reservation.
Parking lots
- The site of Hagi Castle
- Shizuki Parking Lot No. 1
- Hagi castle town vicinity
- Chuo Park parking lot, Hagi Museum parking lot, Hagi Meirin Center parking lot
- Shoin Shrine vicinity
- Shoin Shrine parking lot
Recommended driving destinations outside the city
- Mt. Kasa (approx. 15 minutes from the city center)
- Susa Hornfels (approx. 50 minutes from the city center)
- Unrin-ji Temple (approx. 30 minutes from the city center)
Taxi
There aren’t many cruising taxis in Hagi, so visitors can’t hail one from the street. To take a taxi, you need to either call the taxi company or wait at a taxi stand.
• The starting fare for taxis is ¥680 (as of August 2023).
Taxi companies
- Hagi Kintetsu Taxi
- Tel: +81 838-22-0924
- Hagi Daiichi Kotsu
- Tel: +81 838-25-5050
- Shin Nihon Kanko Kotsu, Hagi Office
- Tel: +81 838-22-0163
Taxi stands
- JR Higashi-Hagi Station
- Hagi Bus Center
- Hagi Meirin Center parking lot
• JR Higashi-Hagi Station and Hagi Meirin Center parking lot: if all taxis are out, one can be requested at the Tourist Information Center.
Sightseeing taxis
Sightseeing taxis are taxis that can be rented for sightseeing tours of the city, with the driver acting as a tour guide. Taxi drivers only provide guided tours in Japanese, but if you would like a tour in another language, you can ask a third-party organization to provide an interpreter. Sightseeing taxis are a convenient way to tour the city and visit destinations of your own choosing.
Fee
- Two-hour tour
- Taxi (four passengers): ¥12,400
- jumbo taxi (nine passengers): ¥19,400
- Three-hour tour
- Taxi (four passengers): ¥18,600
- jumbo taxi (nine passengers): ¥29,100
Interpreters
Bicycle Rental
Because Hagi has so many attractions to see, we recommend touring the city by bicycle. Bicycle rentals are available in the vicinities of JR Higashi-Hagi Station, the site of Hagi Castle, and the castle town.
Click here for details.Recommended bicycle tour routes
- ① Hagi castle town area
- Hagi Meiringakusha — Hagi castle town — samurai residences — site of Hagi Castle — Kikugahama
- ② Aiba River area
- Hagi Meiringakusha — Aiba River area — Daisho-in Temple
- ③ Shoin Shrine area
- Higashi-Hagi Station — Toko-ji Temple — birthplace of Yoshida Shoin — Shoin Shrine
Rickshaws
Visitors can tour the castle town by rickshaw. If you’d like a special tour of the castle town and samurai residences, we recommend a rickshaw. The rickshaw operator will take you to both famous sites and hidden gems while you experience the true atmosphere of Hagi.
- Kurumayado
- Tel: +81 838-26-6474
- 35-minute tour (famous sites in the castle town)
- ¥7,000 for one passenger, ¥9,000 for two passengers
- 60-minute tour (This is a comprehensive tour of World Heritage locations and the castle town.)
- ¥11,000 for one passenger, ¥16,000 for two passengers
Walking
Walking from the site of Hagi Castle to the castle town lets you experience the town’s history-laden atmosphere. The historical castle site, the old earthen walls, and the summer orange trees are all typical sights in Hagi. Just a short walk will take you to some temples and shrines. Talking a walk through Hagi is a great way to experience the slow passage of time in a tranquil setting.
Suggested tourist destinations to visit on foot
- The Hagi castle town and samurai residence area
- The Hamasaki Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings