shimonoseki, yamaguchi

Shimonoseki (下関市; -shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It is at the southwestern tip of Honshu, facing Kitakyushu across the Kanmon Strait. It is known for "Fugu" or globefish/pufferfish/blowfish, as this is where the largest catch of these fish is taken in Japan each year.

  in the background.

The Karato area of Shimonoseki city near this aquarium has been popular with young people recently.]] The city was founded on April 1, 1889. The geographical position of Shimonoseki has given it historical importance, especially with the Bombardment of Shimonoseki and the Treaty of Shimonoseki, where a defeated China handed over Taiwan, the Pescadores, and Port Arthur to the victorious Japanese.

Facts

As of 2000, the city has an estimated population of 301,097 and the density of 1,111.82 persons per km². The total area is 715.83 km².
Shimonoseki city merged with Toyoura District (Toyota,Toyoura,Kikugawa,Hohoku). (February 13, 2005)

Main sightseeing spots and institutions

The area of JR Shimonoseki station and Karato

KAIKYOKAN (Aquarium)
KARATO MARKET
NAGATO MARKET
GREEN MALL (The shopping arcade of the South Korean style.)
SEA MALL (The largest shopping center in West Japan.)
KAIKYO YUME TOWER (KAIKYO Messe Shimonoseki)
Shimonoseki Port International Terminal (Pusan, Qingdao, Shanghai)
Shimonoseki Port
Yamaguchi Bank Co.,Ltd. (The head office)
Hayashikane Sangyo Co.,Ltd. (The main office)
MT.HINOYAMA
KAMONWHARF
FORMER BRITISH CONSULATE
AKAMA SHRINE etc.

The area of Castle town Chofu

Street with earthen walls
Kozanji (Temple, National treasure)
Shimonoseki City Art Museum
Chofu Garden etc.

The area of Toyoura

KAWATANA ONSEN (Hot spring)

The area of Houhoku

TUNOSIMA (island)

Regular services

The Kanpu ferry plies between Shimonoseki Port International Terminal and Pusan in South Korea regularly.
The Orient ferry plies between Shimonoseki Port International Terminal and Qingdao in China regularly.
The Orient ferry plies between Shimonoseki Port International Terminal and Shanghai in China regularly. (This route is a plan in 2005)