Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi

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**Shimonoseki**
**下関市**
Shimonoseki's location in Yamaguchi, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūgoku
Prefecture	Yamaguchi
Physical characteristics
Area	715.83 km² (276.38 sq mi)
Population (as of 2005)
Total	290,693
Location	33°57′N, 130°56′E
Symbols
Tree	Camphor Laurel
Flower	Crinum asiaticum
Flag
Shimonoseki Government Office
Mayor	Kiyoshi Ejima
Official website: Shimonoseki City

Shimonoseki (下関市, Shimonoseki-shi, しものせき^?) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It is at the southwestern tip of Honshū, facing the Tsushima Strait and also Kitakyushu across the Kanmon Straits.

[edit] Description

The city was founded on April 1, 1889. It is known for fugu, as this is where the largest catch of these fish is taken in Japan each year. The city has a population of 290,693 (as of 1.1.2006) with a density of 406.1 persons per km². The total area is 715.89 km².

On February 13, 2005, the city of Shimonoseki merged with the towns of Hōhoku, Kikugawa, Toyota, and Toyoura from Toyoura District to form the new city of Shimonseki. Since October 1, 2005, the city is designated as a Core city by the Japanese Government.

Captured battery at Shimonoseki, 1864.

The geographical position of Shimonoseki has given it historical importance, especially with the Bombardment of Shimonoseki in 1864 and the Treaty of Shimonoseki, where a defeated China handed over Taiwan, the Pescadores, and Port Arthur to the victorious Japanese in 1895. The Heike and Genji fought at Dan-no-ura near the present Kanmonkyo Bridge.

On January 7, 2006, the wooden station building at Shimonoseki station, which had dated back to 1942, was destroyed in a fire, the cause of which is suspected arson.

[edit] Main sightseeing spots and institutions

Kanmon Straits seen from space, Shimonoseki on the right, Kitakyushu on the left

The Shimonoseki aquarium (Kaikyokan) with the Kanmon Straits and Moji-ku, Kitakyushu in the background.

Former British Consulate

The last of Richard Henry Brunton's 26 lighthouses at Tsunoshima island, Hohoku, Shimonoseki

[edit] JR Shimonoseki station and Karato

Kaikyokan (Aquarium)
Karato Market
Nagato Market
Green Mall (or Little Busan, shopping arcade of South Korean style.)
Sea Mall Shimonoseki (largest shopping center in West Japan when it was built)
Kaikyo Yume Tower (Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki)
Shimonoseki Port International Terminal
Shimonoseki Port
Yamaguchi Bank Co., Ltd. (head office)
Hayashikane Sangyo Co., Ltd. (main office)
Mt. Hinoyama
Kamon Wharf
Former British Consulate (built in 1906)
Akama Shrine

[edit] Castle town Chofu

Streets with earthen walls
Kozanji (Temple, National treasure)
Shimonoseki City Art Museum
Chofu Garden
Nogi jinja - a shrine dedicated to the memory of General Nogi Maresuke

[edit] Toyoura

Kawatana Onsen (Hot spring)

[edit] Houhoku

Tsunoshima (island)

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Ferries from Shimonoseki Port International Terminal

The Kanpu ferry to Pusan in South Korea regularly.
The Orient ferry to Qingdao in China regularly.
The Orient ferry to Shanghai in China regularly.

[edit] Trains

The main JR Nishi Nihon stations (Sanyō Main Line and San'in Main Line)
- Shimonoseki station
- Shin-shimonoseki station
- Hatabu station
- Ozuki station
- Kawatana-onsen station

The main JR stations (Sanyō Shinkansen)
- Shin-shimonoseki station

[edit] Buses

Bus companies (A loop-line bus in the city.)
- Sanden Kohtsu Co.,Ltd.
- Blue Line Kohtsu Co.,Ltd.

Intercity bus services (arrival and departure in Shimonoseki city) go to the following destinations: Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Airport, etc.