Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works

The Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works is an archaeological site of a traditional iron production facility in Hagi with clay furnaces, underground tunnels, and work areas still visible on the grounds. The remains show how the different stages of steelmaking were physically arranged across the site.

The facility operated during three separate periods between 1751 and 1867, producing steel for military ships and supporting Japan's industrial growth. It represents a key moment when traditional steelmaking methods were applied to modern military needs.

The site shows how traditional Japanese steelmaking worked through the tatara method, where iron sand was melted with charcoal in clay furnaces. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship that made this production possible.

Access to the site is arranged through Hagi city's tourism office, which offers guided tours to explain the iron production processes. Plan ahead to understand the layout, as the scattered remains require some walking across natural terrain.

The steel produced here supplied the Heishin Maru, the first Western-style warship of the Chōshū navy, making this a direct link between traditional craft and early Japanese modernization. Few visitors realize this site's role in Japan's naval transition.