{"id":4308,"date":"2026-10-05T15:45:03","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T06:45:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hagi-machihaku.com\/html\/?post_type=event&p=4308"},"modified":"2026-10-05T15:45:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T06:45:03","slug":"41","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/hagi-machihaku.com\/html\/en\/events\/event\/41\/","title":{"rendered":"A Backstreet Walk Through Hagi\u2019s Castle Town and its Waterways & Indigo Heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Date(s)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Every day during the Hagi Open-Air Expo period (by request)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Time(s)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

1:30 pm to 3:30pm\u3000\u3000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Cost<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u00a51,200 (includes guide fee and natsumikan orange sweets)
\u00a5850 for children (must be accompanied by an adult)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Take a Stroll Through Hagi with an Old Map in Hand<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Thanks to many preservation efforts, Hagi is one of the rare cities where old maps from the Edo period can still be used to navigate the town. Listen to stories from your guide as you explore, and discover a deeper and more fascinating side of Hagi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this program, you\u2019ll follow the Aibagawa Waterway through the former castle town with an old map in hand, strolling along backstreets that are rarely used. Along the way, you\u2019ll also visit the remains of a waterwheel and a former indigo-dye production site, both of which tell the story of Hagi\u2019s indigo-dyeing heritage.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Meet the Hosts<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Team Asumi & NPO Hagi Open-Air Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are a team of local guides who, after rediscovering the charm of Hagi, returned to our hometown, relearned its history, and began our journey as guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us for a walk to experience Hagi\u2019s historical townscape in a deeper and more engaging way!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Schedule<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Meet and check in \u2192 Depart from Hagi Museum<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Naka-no-Somon Gate & Outer Moat<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Shinbori Waterway<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Aibagawa Waterway<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Mizuguruma-suji Street<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Former indigo-dye production site (Aidamaza Ruins)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Break time at Hagi Meirin Gakusha Visitor Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Hagi Castle Town (Iseya Yokocho Alley & Kikuya Yokocho Alley)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Arrive at Hagi Museum \u2192 End of program<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    *Schedule may change due to weather conditions, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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    The Outer Moat of Hagi Castle seen from the former Naka-no-Somon Gate. As we walk, we\u2019ll also pay attention to the changes in elevation throughout the town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    A large Japanese yew tree that once stood in a samurai residence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Walking along a narrow path lined with hedges surrounding homes and natsumikan orange orchards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    The Aibagawa Waterway flowing through a residential neighborhood. Stoneworkers once lined this area, using the river for transportation, which gave the area its name, Ishiya-machi<\/em> (Stoneworkers\u2019 Town).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Traces of a waterwheel. Waterwheels once used the flow of the Aibagawa Waterway to produce wax.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    A turning basin on the Aibagawa Waterway and the remains of the indigo-dye production site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Comparing today\u2019s streets with an old map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Treasures Found Here<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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    Outer Moat of Hagi Castle<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Once dividing the castle grounds from the surrounding castle town, this moat also bordered a horse-riding ground used by samurai.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Aibagawa Waterway<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Built in the mid-Edo period, this waterway begins near Taiko Bay and flows through the southern part of Hagi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Former Indigo-Dye Production Site (Aidamaza Ruins)<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    During the Edo period, indigo balls used to make indigo dye were produced here. The site was once also known as \u201cAiba.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Information<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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    Date(s)<\/td>Every day during the Hagi Open-Air Expo period (by request)<\/td><\/tr>
    Time(s)<\/td>1:30 pm to 3:30pm<\/td><\/tr>
    Location<\/td>Front entrance of Hagi Museum
    355 Horiuchi, Hagi-shi, 758-0057<\/td><\/tr>
    Access<\/td>By car:<\/strong> <\/em>Right next to the Hagi Museum Car Park.

    By Hagi City Circular Hop-on Bus:<\/em> <\/strong>Take the Eastern Route bus and get off at the Hagi Museum bus stop (E3).<\/td><\/tr>
    Parking<\/td>Please use the Hagi Museum Car Park<\/a>.
    93 spaces for standard vehicles; 8 bus spaces
    \u00a5310 per visit; free for Hagi residents<\/td><\/tr>
    Cost<\/td>\u00a51,200 (includes guide fee and natsumikan orange sweets)
    \u00a5850 for children (must be accompanied by an adult)<\/td><\/tr>
    Payment Method<\/td>Cash, credit card, or QR code payment
    *Credit cards and QR code payments are available for advance payment only. Only cash is accepted on the day of the event.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
    Capacity<\/td>1 to 10 people<\/td><\/tr>
    What to bring<\/td>Comfortable clothes, drinks, and a hat<\/td><\/tr>
    Please note<\/td>The event will take place even in light rain. If severe weather is forecast, we will decide by the morning of the event whether to proceed and will contact you with an update.<\/td><\/tr>
    How to make a reservation<\/td>\u30fbBy phone (9:00 am to 5:00 pm): 0838-25-3177

    \u30fbVia our website: https:\/\/www.asoview.com\/channel\/activities\/ja\/npomachihaku\/offices\/308\/courses\/28461\/calendars<\/a>
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    Reservation Deadline<\/td>Please make a reservation by noon at least three days in advance.<\/td><\/tr>
    Cancelations<\/td>The day before: Must pay 50% of program cost
    Same day: Must pay 50% of program cost
    No-show: Must pay 100% of program cost<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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