08 Jun 2023

The Ancient and Cultural Wonders of Hagi

After Heritage Adventurer anchored at Hagi this morning, we took our Zodiacs ashore through light drizzle and boarded our bus bound for Akiyoshidai Plateau. On the way we passed through settlements of traditional Japanese houses in small communities with classic rice fields, and hillsides covered in Cryptomeria and bamboo forest.

Higher up the road we had reached Akiyoshidai Plateau which was largely covered in grassland, burned regularly each year to clear out forests so that tourists may see the weathered marble outcrops. These unique limestone formations dotted amongst the green fields of grass where ground water enters the underground caves. This area was once a coral reef an estimated 300 million years ago.

Lunch today was a choice of a Japanese meal at the nearby fish market or back on board Heritage Adventurer. Then we were off to the Samurai Quarter of Hagi, with its narrow old-fashioned streets, traditional-styled Japanese houses and tiny manicured gardens. We entered one of the houses which was partly a museum-like building and, during a guided tour, were informed of the pieces of interest - tatami mats and also the well structures.

To conclude the day we went to a traditional Hagi Pottery museum and studio, seeing pieces made, and collected, by Yoshika Taibi and beginning to understand how the pottery changes over time and use. A great day all round and definitely ready for our next adventures in South Korea.

Image (c) by: S.Tranmer