Yamaguchi, Capital city in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Yamaguchi is the capital of the prefecture of the same name and sits in a flat basin where the Fushino River flows through gentle hills. The city reaches the coast of the Seto Inland Sea to the south and includes both quiet residential neighborhoods and forested areas on the outskirts.
The settlement began in medieval times as a power base for the Ouchi clan, who developed it into a meeting place for monks and merchants. The arrival of missionary Francis Xavier in 1551 brought European influences to the region for the first time and reshaped religious life in the city for several decades.
The name connects to the Ouchi family, who created a cultural hub here and drew artists and scholars from across the region. Today the preserved temples and shrines recall that time when the city served as a bridge between Japanese and European culture.
The main train station sits a few kilometers outside the center, from where buses run into town and connect the main sights. The city is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle, as many temples and gardens lie within walking distance of each other.
A temple garden from the 15th century was designed by a renowned painter whose work still draws visitors today. The garden shows the same clarity and composition found in his famous ink paintings.
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