YamaguchiFood

The World's Greatest Fugu Statue and Dusk Over the Kanmon Strait: The Perfect Day's End

About this spot

An ancient shrine situated on elevated ground overlooking Karato, affectionately known as "The Protective Deity of Seki." Climbing the stone steps from the grand torii gate along the national highway leads to lush grounds where you can see the Kanmon Strait and the Moji streetscape across the water. Not to be missed at the grounds is the "World's Greatest Fugu Statue," inspired by Shimonoseki's signature delicacy. Its chubby, charming appearance is perfect for a commemorative photo to wrap up your day of fugu-tasting. Other highlights include monuments such as the birthplace marker of the barber profession, scattered throughout and telling the story of the port town of Shimonoseki's history. Visiting at dusk, while gazing at ships passing through the strait and the sky turning a rosy hue, quietly deepens the lingering sentiment of your journey.

Tips

About 5 minutes walk from Karato Market, with the grand torii gate along National Route 9 as your landmark. The stone steps are somewhat steep, so climb slowly along the handrail. Admission is free. In late afternoon, western sunlight from the strait side can be glaring, so a hat or sunglasses is convenient.