Shimonoseki City (下関市) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.  It is at the southwestern tip of Honshu, facing the Tsushima Strait (対馬海峡) and also Kitakyushu City (北九州市) across the Kanmon Straits (関門海峡).
  The city was founded on April 1, 1889.  It is known for fugu (swellfish/blowfish), as this is where the largest catch of these fish is taken in Japan each year.  The city has a population of 276,576 (as of July 1, 2012) with a density of 386 persons per sq. km. The total area is 716.17 sq. km.
  On February 13, 2005, the city of Shimonoseki merged with the towns of Hohoku (豊北町), Kikugawa (菊川町), Toyota (豊田町), and Toyoura (豊浦町) from Toyoura County (豊浦郡) to form the new city of Shimonseki.  Since October 1, 2005, the city has been designated as a Core City (中核都市) by the Japanese Government.
  The geographical position of Shimonoseki has given it historical importance, especially with the Bombardment of Shimonoseki in 1864 and the Treaty of Shimonoseki (下関条約), where a defeated China handed over Taiwan, Penghu, and Port Arthur to the victorious Japanese in 1895.  The Heike clan and the Genji clan fought at Dan-no-Ura (壇ノ浦の戦い, 1185) near the present Kanmonkyo Bridge (関門橋).
  On January 7, 2006, the wooden station building at Shimonoseki Station, which had dated back to 1942, was destroyed in a fire, the cause of which is suspected to be arson.  As South Korea is very close geographically, there is an Honorary Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Shimonoseki.  (Referred to the site of "Wikipedia.")
  

IMAGE

IMAGE NO.

DATA

JR Shimonoseki Station

JR Shimonoseki Station (JR下関駅) is now a small station after JR Shin-Shimonoseki Station was made, but it still functions as the west gate to the city located at the western edge of the Honshu Island of Japan.

ysm2010-001

(Tuesday 23 March) JR Shimonoseki Station (JR下関駅)

ysm2010-006

(Tuesday 23 March) A view from a platform of JR Shimonoseki Station (JR下関駅)

Karato Fish Market (Site of Dosaki Pier)

Karato Fish Market (唐戸市場) is very close to Site of Dosaki Pier (堂崎の渡し場跡) where St. Francis Xavier [Francisco Javier, 1506-1552] landed in Shimonoseki in autumn (late October or early November) 1550 to meet the powerful lord Yoshitaka Ouchi (大内義隆, 1507-1551). Xavier came to Yamaguchi again in March 1551 when he was finally allowed to propagandize Christianity in the Ouchi dominions. In 1586 a church was built in Shimonoseki as a strategic point of missionary work. The Xavier's landing monument was erected by the Shimonoseki City Council on November 30, 2002. For further information of St. Francis Xavier [Francisco Javier, 1506-1552], 1. go to the "Juan Goto and Crypto-Christians" page. 2. go to the "Sakai City" page. 3. go to the "Yamaguchi City" page. 4. go to the "Hioki City" page. 5. go to the "Kagoshima City" page. 6. go to the "Nagasaki City" page. 7. go to the "Oita City" page.

ysm2010-011

(Tuesday 23 March) Inscription of the Monument of St Francis Xavier's Landing in Shimonoseki (聖フランシスコ・ザビエル下関上陸記念碑), Karato Fish Market, Shimonoseki City

ysm2010-015

(Tuesday 23 March) Part of the Monument of St Francis Xavier's Landing in Shimonoseki with a stone from Xavier Castle, Navarre, Spain and a biblical quotation that made Xavier decide to engage in missionary work in East Asia: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26)

ysm2010-019

(Tuesday 23 March) Monument of St Francis Xavier's Landing in Shimonoseki near Karato Fish Market, Shimonoseki City

ysm2010-025

(Tuesday 23 March) Part of the Monument of St Francis Xavier's Landing in Shimonoseki near Karato Fish Market, Shimonoseki City: Relief of Xavier with his family crest.

ysm2010-030

(Tuesday 23 March) Part of the Monument of St Francis Xavier's Landing in Shimonoseki near Karato Fish Market, Shimonoseki City: Xavier's family crest.

ysm2010-033

(Tuesday 23 March) Karato Fish Market, Shimonoseki City

ysm2010-035

(Tuesday 23 March) Karato Pier near Krato Fish Market, Shimonoseki City

ysm2010-036

(Tuesday 23 March) A nursery (farm) near Karato Pier, Shimonoseki City

Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine

Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine (厳島神社) is a branch shrine of Itsukushima-jinjya, Miyajima, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima. The address is 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City (下関市上新地町1丁目1−11). It was founded by local people in 1185 (文治元年) after the Battle of Dan-no-Ura. Shinsaku Takasugi (高杉晋作) prayed here for their victory before the battle against the Tokugawa Shogunate government known as Shikyo War (四境戦争) in June 1866 (慶応2年). On August 1, 1866 the Choshu army brought a big drum from Kokura-jo Castke (小倉城) as a booty. It is still kept in the precincts of the shrine.

ysm2012-002

(Monday 12 March) Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine, 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-006

(Monday 12 March) Poster of Shinsaku Takasugi, Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine, 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-009

(Monday 12 March) Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine, 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-010

(Monday 12 March) Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine, 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-011

(Monday 12 March) Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine, 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-014

(Monday 12 March) Taiko-do (太鼓堂), Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine, 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-016

(Monday 12 March) Taiko-do (太鼓堂), Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine, 1-1-11 Kamishinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

Place of Shinsaku Takasugi's Death

The Place of Shinsaku Takasugi's Death (高杉晋作終焉の地) is located at 3 Shinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City (下関市新地町3番) or near Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine. Takasugi died here of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 27 on May 17, 1867. Not long before he died, a nun tanka poet and one of his supporters, Moto-ni [or Boto-ni] Nomura (野村望東尼, 1806-1867) came to see him. Takasugi began to write his farewell tanka poem: おもしろき (Omoshiroki) こともなき世を (Koto mo naki yo wo) おもしろく (Omoshiroku) (Let us change The world without fun Into the world full of fun.) Up to this point he could not write the rest. Then Nomura composed the rest in place of Takasugi. すみなすものは (Suminasumono wa) こころなりけり (Kokoro narikeri) (The world can be seen anyway, Depending on how you feel it.) Reading her composition, he just said, "Interesting." (trans. Eishiro Ito) The tanka is a traditional Japanese poem of thirty-one syllables (5-7-5-7-7).

ysm2012-018

(Monday 12 March) Stone Shrine Gate to the Place of Shinsaku Takasugi's Death, 3 Shinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-020

(Monday 12 March) Place of Shinsaku Takasugi's Death, 3 Shinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-021

(Monday 12 March) Place of Shinsaku Takasugi's Death, 3 Shinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-024

(Monday 12 March) Place of Shinsaku Takasugi's Death, 3 Shinchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

Hiyoriyama Park

Hiyoriyama Park (日和山公園)

ysm2012-025

(Monday 12 March) Statue of Shinsaku Takasugi, HIyoriyama Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-027

(Monday 12 March) Statue of Shinsaku Takasugi, HIyoriyama Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-029

(Monday 12 March) Statue of Shinsaku Takasugi, HIyoriyama Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-032

(Monday 12 March) A view from the statue of Shinsaku Takasugi, HIyoriyama Park, Shimonoseki City

Ganryu-jima (Funashima)

Ganryu-jima Island (巌流島) is officially called Funashima (船島). It is located 0.4 km from Hikoshima, SHimonoseki City The address is Funashima, Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City (下関市大字彦島字船島). This small island (0.103 sq. km) is very famous for Japanese people as the place of the duel between Musashi Miyamoto (宮本武蔵) and Kojiro Sasaki (佐々木小次郎) reportedly on May 13, 1612 (慶長17年4月13日).

ysm2012-034

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-035

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-040

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-042

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-047

(Monday 12 March) A raccoon living in Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-058

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-059

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-060

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-063

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-064

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-067

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-068

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-071

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-072

(Monday 12 March) Ganryu-jima Island (Funashima), Hikoshima, Shimonoseki City

Fuku-no-Kawaku

Fuku-no-Kawaku (ふくの河久) is a restaurant specializing blowfish dishes, located near Karato Fish Market at 5-1 Karato, Shimonoseki City (下関市唐戸5-1).

ysm2012-081

(Monday 12 March) Fuku-no-Kawaku, 5-1 Karato, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-083

(Monday 12 March) Fuku-no-Kawaku, 5-1 Karato, Shimonoseki City

Sino-Japan Peace Treaty Memorial Hall

Sino-Japan Peace Treaty Memorial Hall (日清講和記念館) is the place where the treaty was signed on 17 April, 1895 after the First Sino-Japanese War (1 August, 1894 - 17 April, 1895): Entered into Force 8 May 1895 by the exchange of the instruments of ratification at Chefoo. The address is 4-2 Amidaji-machi, Shimonoseki City (下関市阿弥陀寺町4-2).

ysm2012-106

(Monday 12 March) Sino-Japan Peace Treaty Memorial Hall, 4-2 Amidaji-machi, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-107

(Monday 12 March) Sino-Japan Peace Treaty Memorial Hall, 4-2 Amidaji-machi, Shimonoseki City

Akama-jingu Shrine

Akama-jingu Shrine (赤間神宮) is a Shinto shrine in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It is dedicated to Antoku (安徳天皇), a Japanese emperor who died as a 8-year-old boy in the Battle of Dan-no-Ura (aka Dannoura), which occurred nearby in 1185. This battle was important in the history of Japan because it brought an end to Gempei War in which the Minamoto clan defeated the rival Taira clan, and ended the Taira bid for control of Japan. The shrine is situated on the waterfront of the Kanmon Strait, between the centre of Shimonoseki and the tourist restaurants of Karato, Kanmon Wharf. The bright red main gate makes it a very visible sight. It is located at 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City (下関市阿弥陀寺町4-1). (Extracted from the site of "Wikipedia")

ysm2012-113

(Monday 12 March) Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-114

(Monday 12 March) Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-115

(Monday 12 March) Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-119

(Monday 12 March) Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-121

(Monday 12 March) Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-123

(Monday 12 March) Stone memorial columns for the Heike clan, Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-126

(Monday 12 March) Miminashi Hoichi (耳なし芳一; Hoichi the Earless) Hall, Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-128

(Monday 12 March) Miminashi Hoichi (耳なし芳一; Hoichi the Earless) Hall, Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-129

(Monday 12 March) Grave stones of the Heike clan, Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-131

(Monday 12 March) Grave stones of the Heike clan, Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-132

(Monday 12 March) Grave stones of the Heike clan, Akama-jingu Shrine, 4-1 Amidaji-cho, Shimonoseki City

Kanmon-kyo Bridge

Kanmon-kyo Bridge (関門橋) is a suspension bridge crossing the Kanmon Straits, a stretch of water separating two of Japan's four main islands. On the Honshu (本州) side of the bridge is Shimonoseki (下関, which contributed "Kan" to the name of the strait) and on the Kyushu (九州) side is Kitakyushu (北九州), whose former city and present ward, Moji (門司), gave the strait its "mon." The Kanmonkyo bridge was opened to vehicles on November 14, 1973 and connected to the Kyushu Expressway (九州自動車道) on March 27, 1984. It is the 34th largest suspension bridge in the world with a central span of 712 metres. (Cited from the site of "Wikipedia")

ysm2012-136

(Monday 12 March) Kanmon-kyo Bridge, viewed from Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-140

(Monday 12 March) Kanmon-kyo Bridge, viewed from Shimonoseki City

Mimosusogawa Park

Mimosusogawa Park (みもすそ川公園) is located near Kanmon-kyo Bridge facing the two battle sites of Dan-no-Ura (壇ノ浦) in 1185 and Shimonoseki War (下関戦争) between 1863-1864.

ysm2012-146

(Monday 12 March) Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-149

(Monday 12 March) Statues of Yoshistune Minamoto (源義経) (left) and Tomonori Taira (平知盛) visualizing the Battle of Dan-no-Ura 1185, Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-150

(Monday 12 March) Statues of Yoshistune Minamoto (源義経) (left) and Tomonori Taira (平知盛) visualizing the Battle of Dan-no-Ura 1185, Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-151

(Monday 12 March) Statue of Yoshistune Minamoto (源義経) visualizing the Battle of Dan-no-Ura 1185, Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-152

(Monday 12 March) Statue of Tomonori Taira (平知盛) visualizing the Battle of Dan-no-Ura 1185, Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-153

(Monday 12 March) Inscription Stone indicating the drowning point of the Tragic Emperor Antoku (安徳天皇, 1178-1185; r.1180-1185) at the age of seven, Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-154

(Monday 12 March) Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-156

(Monday 12 March) Replica cannons of Shimonoseki War, Mimosusogawa Park, Shimonoseki City

Kanmon Tunnel of the Pedestrian and Bicycles Way

Kanmon Tunnel of the Pedestrian and Bicycles Way (関門トンネル人道, 780 m long) between Dan-no-Ura, Shimonoseki and Moji-ko (near Mekari Park), Kitakyushu. You can walk across the Kanmon Channel for free (about 15 minutes' walk). There`s a separate tunnel for vehicles that runs parallel to the pedestrian/cyclist tunnel.

ysm2012-157

(Monday 12 March) Kanmon Tunnel Entrance of the Pedestrian and Bicycles Way

ysm2012-159

(Monday 12 March) Kanmon Tunnel of the Pedestrian and Bicycles Way heading for Moji

ysm2012-161

(Monday 12 March) Borderline between Yamguchi Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture in the middle of the Kanmon Tunnel of the Pedestrian and Bicycles Way

Dan-no-Ura

Dan-no-Ura (壇ノ浦) Historic Battlefield, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-165

(Monday 12 March) Signboard of Dan-no-Ura (壇ノ浦) Historic Battlefield, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-168

(Monday 12 March) Site of "One Cup of Water for the Heike Clan," Shimonoseki City. Legend tells that after the Battle of Dan-no-Ura some Heike warriors managed to swim to the shore and drink the spring water here: They could drink pure water at first sip but the water somehow changed to seawater at second sip.

ysm2012-170

(Monday 12 March) Site of "One Cup of Water for the Heike Clan," Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-173

(Monday 12 March) Site of "One Cup of Water for the Heike Clan," Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-175

(Monday 12 March) Dan-no-Ura, viewed from the of "One Cup of Water for the Heike Clan," Shimonoseki City

Kin-zan Kozan-ji Temple

Kin-zan Kozan-ji Temple (金山 功山寺) is located at 1-2-3 Chofukawabata, Shimonoseki City (下関市長府川端1丁目2-3). It is a temple of the Soto-sect (曹洞宗) of Buddhism. It was founded as Chofuku-ji Temple (長福寺) of the Rinzaishu-sect (臨済宗) in the 2nd year of Karyaku (嘉暦2年) or AD1327. On January 12, 1865 (元治元年12月15日) Shinsaku Takasugi (高杉晋作) raised an army (only 84 warriors) against the Choshu-chan Zokuron-ha (長州藩俗論派; the Choshu conventionalists). His coup d'etat is also called "Kaiten-Gikyo" (回天義挙) which caused the Civil War of Genji (元治の内乱).

ysm2012-200

(Monday 12 March) Kin-zan Kozan-ji Temple, 1-2-3 Chofukawabata, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-204

(Monday 12 March) San-mon Gate of Kin-zan Kozan-ji Temple, 1-2-3 Chofukawabata, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-207

(Monday 12 March) "Butsu-den" (仏殿), Kin-zan Kozan-ji Temple, 1-2-3 Chofukawabata, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-220

(Monday 12 March) Equestrian statue of Shinsaku Takasugi, Kin-zan Kozan-ji Temple, 1-2-3 Chofukawabata, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-222

(Monday 12 March) Equestrian statue of Shinsaku Takasugi, Kin-zan Kozan-ji Temple, 1-2-3 Chofukawabata, Shimonoseki City

Nogi-jinjya Shrine

Nogi-jinjya Shrine (乃木神社) is located at 3-8 Chofumiyanouchi-cho, Shimonoseki City (下関市長府宮の内町3-8). This small shrine was founded in the 3rd year of Taisho (大正3年) or 1914 to be dedicated to General Maresuke Nogi (乃木希典, 1849-1912) who was born and raised up here in Chofu. Now it is worshipped by local people as God of Learning.

ysm2012-238

(Monday 12 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine, 3-8 Chofumiyanouchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-239

(Monday 12 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine, 3-8 Chofumiyanouchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-247

(Monday 12 March) Statues of Mr. and Mrs. Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine, 3-8 Chofumiyanouchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-248

(Monday 12 March) Statues of Mr. and Mrs. Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine, 3-8 Chofumiyanouchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-255

(Monday 12 March) Restored childhood house of Maresuke Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine, 3-8 Chofumiyanouchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-256

(Monday 12 March) Restored childhood house of Maresuke Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine, 3-8 Chofumiyanouchi-cho, Shimonoseki City

Monument of the Cradle of the Meiji Restoration

Monument of the Cradle of the Meiji Restoration (維新発祥之地碑), 200 meter way from Iminomiya-jinjya Shrine (忌宮神社) along the shrine, Chofu, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-269

(Monday 12 March) Monument of the Cradle of the Meiji Restoration, Chofu, Shimonoseki City

ysm2012-270

(Monday 12 March) Monument of the Cradle of the Meiji Restoration, Chofu, Shimonoseki City

        

Copyright (c) 2010-2012 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.