Hagi attractions

Choshu Five

The Chōshū Five (長州五傑 Chōshū Goketsu) were members of the ruling class of the Chōshū-han. In 1863, they disguised themselves as English sailors and went to study in England at University College London, despite the policy of sakoku, which made leaving Japan illegal under penalty of death. Each went on to play a major role in the modernizing of Japan, and they remain heroes in Hagi today.

Hirobumi Ito - the first Prime Minister of Japan
Kaoru Inoue - Minster for Foreign Affairs
Yozo Yamao - prominent engineer
Kinsuke Endo - the first head of the National Mint
Masaru Inoue - known as the "Father of the Japanese Railways"