Hagi Meirin Gakusha School Building

Hagi Meirin Gakusha is a museum where you can learn about a school that educated people who became the foundation of Japan’s modernization, tracing its history and transitions up to the present day. In the attic tour room, architectural structural features of the main building—registered as a Tangible Cultural Property—are introduced. The Hagi Domain School Meirinkan Exhibition Room explains the position of the Hagi domain school, which was among the largest in Japan, in comparison with other domain schools nationwide. The Meirin Elementary School Exhibition Room introduces the school’s history from its founding to today, and the restored classroom allows visitors to enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere unique to wooden school buildings. There are also dining spaces and a souvenir corner with local Hagi specialties and seasonal goods. Recommended items include Hagi-yaki ceramics and sweets made generously with Hagi’s famous natsumikan (summer oranges). Access to Hagi Meirin Gakusha: by car, take the Ogori-Hagi Road (via Minehigashi JCT) and exit at “Edo IC,” then about 20 minutes. By public transportation, from JR Shinkansen “Shin-Yamaguchi Station,” take the Super Hagi-go bus about 60 minutes, Bocho Bus about 95 minutes, or JR Bus about 110 minutes. Direct buses to Hagi also run from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit / Nihonbashi Exit) and Osaka Abenobashi Bus Station.