Yamaguchi is a pleasant and friendly city in Western Honshu, founded by Ouchi Hiroyo in the 14th century. Today it is the capital of Yamaguchi Prefecture, a region formerly known as Nagato (Choshu) and Suo province.
As the seat of the powerful Ouchi lords, Yamaguchi grew to culturally rival the war torn capital of Kyoto during Japan's age of warring states. As a result, the city is still known as the "Kyoto of the West".
The Mori, who succeeded the Ouchi as the local feudal lords, moved their capital to nearby Hagi, and played a leading role in the Meiji Restoration, bringing Japan's feudal age to an end.
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Features a very beautiful, five-storied pagoda.
A small version of the Ise Shrines.
