Old history and affluent culture ― Stage of historical dramas
Shimonoseki City, located at the western edge of Honshu, has prospered as a key nexus for marine and land traffic since time immemorial by making use of its geographical advantages especially its location; it faces Kyushu across the Kanmon Straits and stands close both to the Korean Peninsula and the Chinese continent. Such advantages have also encouraged an influx of different cultures introduced from the continent to the City, making it a melting pot of cultural interaction. Shimonoseki City also has relationships with many stages of Japanese history as a place where various dramas have unfolded.
The Setting-up of the Former Shimonoseki Aquarium and Hinoyama Ropeway ― The Beginning of a Tourist City
Whale House of the former Shimonoseki Aquarium
The construction of the Shimonoseki Aquarium, which it was claimed was the largest in the East at that time, was completed in 1956. The Hinoyama Ropeway opened in 1958 and Hinoyama and Manju/Kanju islands were incorporated into the Setonaikai National Park. Shimonoseki City thus began its history as a tourist city.
Shimonoseki Fishing Port, the Largest Fish Landing ever in Japan ― One of the Best Fishery and Whaling Bases in Western Japan
Catcher boat of Shimonoseki Port
In the Meiji Era, Japan Steamship Trawling Marine Cooperative Association was organized, which allowed Shimonoseki City to lay the foundation for the start of its marine industry. In 1966, the Shimonoseki Fishing Port achieved the largest haul of fish ever in Japan. In 1899, a branch of the Norway style whaling company was launched for the first time in Japan and Shimonoseki became the pioneer city of modern whaling. After the war, the city was prosperous as a base for whaling ships working in the Antarctic Ocean as well as a base for distributing and processing whale meat.
The Restart of Kampu Liner between Shimonoseki and Busan － International Interaction for a New Age
Restart of the Kampu liner
The Kampu ferry route, which was suspended due to the war, restarted as Kampu Liner in 1970. In 1995 the Qingdao route opened followed by the Shanghai route in 2005, which allowed Shimonoseki City to become the best international ferry base in Japan. As well as this, Shimonoseki City began promoting international interaction by establishing a sister city relationship and friendship with Santos City, Brazil in 1971, Istanbul City, Turkey in 1972 and Busan City, South Korea in 1976, and Qingdao City, China in 1979. Furthermore in 2000 with Pittsburg City, California, U.S.A. became our 5th Sister City tie.
The opening of Kanmon Bridge and Sanyo Shinkansen Bullet Train － Development of Express Traffic Network
Completion of the Kanmon Bridge
Kanmon Bridge and Chugoku Expressway (between Shimonoseki and Ozuki) opened to traffic in 1973. In 1975, the Sanyo Shinkansen Bullet train also opened to traffic and the new Shimonoseki Station was set up. The City’s new traffic network allowed rapid progress to be made. In 2001, Sanyo Expressway was extended to Ube and a junction was constructed in Yoshida.
Urban Development and Waterfront Development Project － Creation of an Attractive City
Opening of Kaikyokan
The Civic Center was opened in 1977 and the City Art Museum was completed in 1983. The renovation of the City Central Hospital, the Shimonoseki Port International Terminal and the Shimonoseki Stadium, as well as the development of the public sewerage system made steady progress. Various tourist facilities were developed, including a new aquarium called “Kaikyokan” and the new Karato Market, opening in 2001 as well as a new municipally-operated inexpensive hotel called “Kaikyo View Shimonoseki” and a new fisherman’s wharf called “Kamon Wharf”, opening in 2002. Attractive facilities were also developed in the four towns. Examples are “Kikugawa Community Center Avenir” and “Roadside Station ‘Kikugawa’” in Kikugawa Town, “The Firefly Museum of Toyota Town” and “Roadside Station ‘Hotarukaido Nishinoichi’” in Toyota Town, “Refresh Park Toyoura” in Toyoura Town and “The Doigahama Site and Anthropological Museum” and “Tsunoshima Nature Museum” in Hohoku Town. The opening of the Tsunoshima Island Bridge encouraged a growth in the number of tourists
The Establishment of the New Shimonoseki City ― The Great Merger of the Heisei Era
Opening ceremony of the new Shimonoseki City
On 13 February 2005, as a result of the one city and four town merger involving Shimonoseki City, Kikugawa Town, Toyota Town, Toyoura Town and Hohoku Town, the new Shimonoseki City, the largest city in Yamaguchi Prefecture, was established. On the same day, the opening ceremony took place.
The Establishment of a core city ― Heading towards the realization of “Shimonoseki Car License Number”
On 1 October 2005, the new Shimonoseki City became the first core city within Yamaguchi Prefecture and the 36th such city within Japan. As for car registration, the introduction of the “Shimonoseki Car License Numbers” was also informally decided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in July 2005 and it was decided to begin introducing them during the fiscal 2006.