Hagi city facts for kids

Hagi is a cool city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. About 50,089 people call Hagi home. It's a friendly city that has special connections with other places around the world. These "twin towns" are Ulsan and Yeongam-gun in Korea, and Ühlingen-Birkendolf in Germany.

Hagi is also known for its fun festivals! You can enjoy a beautiful camellia festival from mid-February to the end of March. There's also a special Hagi-ware festival at the beginning of March, celebrating local pottery.

A Glimpse into Hagi's Past

Hagi has a very important place in Japanese history, especially during a time called the Tokugawa shogunate. This was a period when Japan was ruled by a powerful military government.

The Shoka Son School: A Place of Learning

Towards the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, a famous teacher named Yoshida Shoin started a special school called the Shoka Son school. He believed in teaching young people important ideas about how to make Japan better.

Who Were the Famous Students?

Many of Yoshida Shoin's students grew up to become very important leaders. They played a huge role in changing Japan. Some of these famous people included Kido Takayoshi, Takasugi Shinsaku, and Ito Hirobumi. These leaders helped bring about the Meiji Restoration, which was a big change that modernized Japan and brought back the emperor's power.