Shoin Shrine

The Matsushita Village Juku is a precious historical site located in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site. This private school, led by Yoshida Shoin, who was active in the late Edo period, is known for producing many great people who were active from the late Edo period to the Meiji era, such as Ito Hirobumi and Takasugi Shinsaku. While entry into the building is generally prohibited, you can peek inside from the outside, so be sure to visit the site and enjoy the view.

The Shoin Shrine, located right next to the Shoka Sonjuku, is a shrine that still attracts worshippers today, even after the turmoil of the Meiji Restoration. The shrine is dedicated to Yoshida Shoin, with other great figures who were involved in the founding of the shrine, such as Ito Hirobumi and Nomura Yasushi, also enshrined. It is said that the shrine has benefits such as improving academic performance, achieving victory, and fostering ambition. In addition to the main shrine, there are also buildings and monuments related to Yoshida Shoin scattered throughout the grounds, so you can immerse yourself in the historical atmosphere while visiting.

When visiting the Shoin Shrine, be sure to also visit the Shiseikan, where you can view treasures such as books and personal belongings left behind by Yoshida Shoin. The museum is divided into a free zone and a paid zone, but even the free zone is impressive enough. For those who want to see more of Yoshida Shoin's artifacts, it's recommended to visit the paid area. Since Shiseikan is located within the Shoin Shrine grounds, it's a good idea to stop by both places at the same time.

In the area surrounding Shoin Jinja Shrine in Matsushita Village, there are several historical sites associated with Yoshida Shoin, in addition to the shrine itself. For those who may not be comfortable with history, the "Yoshida Shoin Historical Museum" is recommended, which uses 70 wax figures to vividly depict Yoshida Shoin's life. There are also many other spots to visit while contemplating history, such as the "Former Residence of Yoshida Shoin, where he was imprisoned," which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and the "Path of Learning," which is said to be the path Yoshida Shoin walked. If you love history, be sure to visit Matsushita Village and these spots associated with Yoshida Shoin.

Currently, it's only possible to view the interior of the Matsushita Memorial Hall from the outside. However, with the 3D space on the official website, you can easily tour the off-limits interior by moving your cursor. By supplementing the areas that couldn't be seen from the outside with the 3D space, you can gain a deeper understanding of the Matsushita Memorial Hall without actually visiting the site. By the way, the 3D space is free to use, so feel free to take advantage of it.