Jump to navigation. Shimonoseki is strategically located on the southern tip of Honshu separated from the city of Kitakyushu in Kyushu by the narrow Kanmon Strait. Shimonoseki, population approximately ,, is a major fishing port famous for its fugu blowfish and is an important ferry terminal for boats to Busan in South Korea and over to Kyushu.
Shimonoseki has been the scene of a number of battles throughout its history including the decisive sea Battle of Dan-no-ura in , which resulted in a victory for the Minamoto over the Taira clan and paved the way for the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate. In samurai from the Choshu clan based in nearby Hagi closed the Kanmon Straits to foreign shipping leading to an international expedition of British, Dutch, French and US gunboats to reopen them.
Shimonoseki's beautiful natural location and the spectacular Kanmon Bridge over to Kyushu are best seen from the top of the m Hinoyama , about 5km northeast from JR Shimonoseki Station. Either hike to the summit or take the ropeway.
Near the Mimosusogawa bus stop is a memorial to the Dan-no-ura battle. You can easily see the meter-tall Kaikyo Yume Tower , the tallest tower in western Honshu, from here, which also offers superb views of the harbor. Open daily, all year round, entrance is yen for adults, yen for children. Continuing along Route 9 is the Karato Ichiba Fish Market , where visitors can sample a bewildering array of seafood including whale in one of the numerous whale meat restaurants in the area, if you are so inclined.
There are buses from Shimonoseki bus station if you don't care for the walk. Right next door to Karato Fish Market is the Kaikyo-kan Aquarium Tel: 28 with dolphin and sea lion shows, penguins and vast numbers of fish on display including different varieties of fugu. The Meiji-era Former British Consulate Building Tel: 31 dating from has been preserved and has a small museum inside.
