Approximately 820 years ago, two powerful clans ruled Japan. At Kanmon Channel the final battle for supremacy over Japan took place between the Heike clan and the Genji clan. Here at Akama Shrine people worship the last emperor Antoku of the Heike clan who lost the battle.

Even today, Akama Shrine has festivals which recall those days.

In Hinoyama, Shimonoseki City there is a monument called “Yuginoho” which consists of a statue of a goddess standing in front of a yacht sail. The monument was a gift from Qingdao city, China in recognition of 15 years of profound friendship between Shimonoseki city and Qingdao city.
The goddess is holding an olive branch in one hand and a dove in the other as symbols of friendship and peace respectively. Additionally, 15 stars are displayed on the sail to symbolically represent the 15 years of friendship and exchange between the two cities.

Furthermore, another monument called ‘Monument to Mr. Liao Chengzhi’s accomplishments’ was presented to Shimonoseki city by Qingdao city in commemoration of 25 years of friendship. The monument is in honour of Mr. Liao Chengzhi, the first president of the China-Japan Friendship Association, whose hard life work set the foundation for a quarter century of friendship and contributed to developing economic exchange. When Mr. Liao visited Shimonoseki city in May 1979 as the leader of ‘Ming Hua’, the China-Japan friendship vessel, he proposed setting up a friendship agreement between the cities of Qingdao and Shimonoseki. In October of that year, an agreement was signed and there has been a profound friendship between the two cities ever since.
When you visit Shimonoseki city, please come to Hinoyama park and feel for yourself the deep friendship between Japan and China and the cities of Qingdao and Shimonoseki.

Kozanji Temple is a Chinese style Buddhist temple built in 1327. It is the oldest Zen building in Japan and is also a national treasure.
Kozanji Temple was the stage for many historical events. For example, Shinsaku Takasugi (who helped to bring Japan into the modern era) came here to rouse himself to action.

Kozanji Temple is also a popular spot for people to come and view cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

Built in 1903 by the 14th governor of Shimonoseki, Mototoshi Mori, it was his principal residence. The Meiji Emperor is reported to have stayed in one of the rooms which is still there. The garden is surrounded by white walls and has a true Japanese atmosphere. You can enjoy every season; from the sprouting of leaves in spring, to the changing of the leaves in autumn.

Chofu Garden was the residence of Yukinaga Nishi, the chief retainer of the Chofu Mori feudal domain. Its 30,000 square meters of Japanese garden, against a small sized mountain, includes a study, a tea room, and a little stream around the pond. Visitors can enjoy a walk around looking at the scenery.

Son Bun Ren [Sun Wen Lotus]
When Sun Wen, the father of the Chinese revolution, lived in exile in Japan, he was financially assisted by Takashi Tanaka (a marine transport business owner in Chofu, Shimonoseki.) In 1918 Sun Wen gave 4 lotus seeds to Mr. Tanaka in appreciation for his help. Later, in 1960 after Mr. Tanaka’s death, his bereaved family donated the seeds to Ichiro Oga (a famous lotus researcher.) According to Mr. Oga, the seeds were the same kind as the ones unearthed in northeast China. In 1962, one of the seeds was successfully sprouted in a laboratory at Tokyo University of Agriculture. The flower was named ‘Son Bun Ren’ [Sun Wen Lotus]. In 1994, one of the lotus plants was transplanted to Chofu Garden in Shimonoseki as a result of Mr. Tanaka’s connection to that city. It became the flower that represents Chofu Garden. Another name for this beautiful flower is ‘Suihiren’, which means the blushing cheek of a princess after sipping sweet wine. Son Bun Ren [Sun Wen Lotus] has become a symbol of friendship between Japan and China. In 1995 the Japan-China Friendship Association of Shimonoseki presented a Son Bun Ren [Sun Wen Lotus] to the Zhongshan Park in Qingdao China - a sister city of Shimonoseki – as a symbol of friendship. Today, many Son Bun Ren [Sun Wen Lotus] have been transplanted to other cities in China spreading friendship even further.

Togyoan is located in Yoshida on the outskirts of Shimonoseki. You can find the grave of Shinsaku Takasugi, an important player in the ending of Samurai rule during the Meiji restoration. Takasugi formed the ‘Kiheitai’, a militia that included both samurai and farmers who fought together. Same of their graves can be found here.
Togyoan is also famous for plum blossoms and cherry blossoms in early spring, Irises in early summer and autumn leaves in fall.