If you enjoy the historic sites of Kyoto and Kamakura, Hagi is a wonderful quiet old samurai castle town that is a hidden gem amongst Japanese tourist and international tourists alike. I adore Hagi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture so much that I have visited 4 times since accidentally finding out about it on a summer trip in 2018.
Hagi History
Hagi, Japan is a wonderful little city off the Japan Sea side coast of Yamaguchi prefecture. Yamaguchi’s Hagi City is a former castle town and former head of the Choshu domain, and still contains many of the samurai houses to this day. There are numerous reasons to visit Hagi, from the old castle town vibes to the historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Meiji Industrial Revolution to the historic glass and ceramic goods production, I highly recommend giving Hagi a visit.ย
On the Japan Sea side, Hagi is known for fresh, affordable, seafood, and their specialty citrus, Natsumikan (C. ร natsudaidai). While you donโt have to look hard to find any of their locally sourced food and wonderful cafes, here are the best cafes and restaurants in Hagi.
Cafรฉ-Restaurant Hagi Goyomi
602 Emukai, Hagi, Yamaguchi 758-0041, Japan (Google Maps)
This restaurant and cafe is located inside Hagi’s historic Hagi Meirin Gakusha, the first elementary school in Hagi. This school has been transformed into a museum with a cafe, restaurant, and gift shop featuring locally sourced food and locally crafted products. Hagi is the main star of the show, and the majority of the museum is free to enter, including the cafe-restaurant, making it an easy stop on your Hagi trip. If youโd like to explore further, itโs 300 yen a person.
Cafรฉ-Restaurant Hagi Goyomi prideโs itself in serving locally sourced food. They have three main lunch sets, their Hagi Gozen, Hagi Goyomi, and their Fish, Meat, and Vegetable Mini Donburi, as well as an assortment of curries, drinks, and desserts. If youโre lucky you might be able to get a serving of Fugu, blowfish. The location of this cafe, the celebration of local produce, and the historic building make it an easy pick for your Hagi adventure.
Back: 3 mini donburi lunch set
COTOCOTO
Japan, ใ758-0072 Yamaguchi, Hagi, Gofukumachi, 2 Chomeโ๏ผ๏ผ (Google Maps)
COTOCOTO is a beautiful little cafe located on the main castle town shopping street in an old merchant house. This beautiful cafe is quite popular in Japanese travel magazines for its atmospheric dining experience. I absolutely love this little cafe that serves curries and doria, but it can be difficult to get into, be sure to get there early and check their Instagram for closures.
Hotoritei Cafe
Hotoritei Cafe is a cafe with a beautiful traditional Japanese garden at its center. This cafe serves specialty coffee from their sister store Nero-Bake, sweets, and traditional yoshoku style Japanese lunches on beautiful locally made Hagi pottery. We really enjoyed their hamburger steak lunch and fried fish. With menus in both English and Japanese, I highly recommend this lunch spot on the way to Hagi Museum.
Rikki
176 Hamasakimachi, Hagi, Yamaguchi 758-0022, Japan (Google Maps)
Rikki is a unique intimate farm to table dining experience, with French influenced Japanese food, focusing on seasonality and local ingredients. The staff were the picture of hospitality, explaining each course and the thought and ingredients behind the meal. We enjoyed a 11 course meal featuring fall flavors and a non-alcoholic pairing menu. They also provide alcoholic pairs for those who drink.
I highly recommend this fine dining experience for those interested in a more non-traditional interpretation of Hagiโs produce. Reservations are required, for 20,000 yen per-person. This exclusive fine dining service is only available on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Ruco
Japan, ใ758-0044 Yamaguchi, Hagi, Karahimachi, ๏ผ๏ผโ92 (Google Maps)
Ruco is a popular and stylish cafe-guest house that serves coffee, natsumikan juice, and small pastries. If you spend the night there, guests can opt in to their breakfast menu. I highly recommend staying here and getting your morning started here!
Nero Bake
Japan, ใ758-0076 Yamaguchi, Hagi, Minamikatakawamachi, ๅๆฑๅๅบ62 (Google Maps)
Nero Bake is Hotoritei Cafeโs sister specialty coffee shop. They roast their beans in house, and I highly recommend stopping in while youโre walking around town. Bero Bake also serves light pastries, including seasonal favorites.
Hagi Pudding
Japan, ใ758-0072 Yamaguchi, Hagi, Gofukumachi, 2 Chome, 10็ชๅฐ (Google Maps)
Hagi Pudding is a small pudding stand located in Hagiโs old merchant district. This pudding shop has some classic pudding shop staples, but also has a pudding including Hagiโs famous natsumikan citrus. Itโs a quick stop on your walk around the old castle town, and I highly recommend giving natsumikan a try!
COFFEEBOY Hagi
Japan, ใ758-0027 Yamaguchi, Hagi, Yoshidacho, 72 (Google Maps)
COFFEEBOY is a Yamaguchi wide specialty coffee shop that sells in store roasted beans and drinks using their beans. I highly recommend stopping by their Hagi location to give their coffee a taste and maybe pick up some beans!
Hagi is a beautiful old castle town with great historic value that has contributed to Japanese traditional crafts. I absolutely love Hagi, and I hope that others can see what a special little place Hagi is and enjoy the local food scene as well.
If you’re visiting Japan, be sure to check out some of our other cafe recommendations for Tokyo, Nagoya, Kamakura, Nasushiobara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Onomichi, Kyoto’s Kiyomizu and Shijo-Kawaramachi, and Ise street food!
