Jippoutei Ishinkan

Jippotei Ishinkan is a history museum in Yamaguchi City that preserves the site where key figures of the Meiji Restoration gathered during Japan's transition from feudal rule to modernization in the mid to late 19th century. The property was originally built as an annex of the Bandai family residence, a wealthy merchant household that operated a successful soy sauce brewing business for generations.

During the late Edo period, when the Choshu lord Mori Takachika relocated the domain's administrative headquarters from Hagi to Yamaguchi, Jippotei served as a lodging house for domain officials. The head of the family, Mandai Rihei, actively supported revolutionary patriots, and the residence became a meeting place for leading figures of the Meiji Restoration including Katsura Kogoro, Takasugi Shinsaku, Kusaka Genzui, and Omura Masujiro. Records indicate that Ito Hirobumi, who later became Japan's first prime minister and was one of the famous Choshu Five, also stayed at this location.

The museum features an exhibition room displaying historical artifacts, documents, and memorabilia related to both Jippotei and the revolutionary leaders who frequented it. Visitors can explore the history of Yamaguchi during the late Edo period and Restoration through interactive projection mapping and a special augmented reality application. The museum complex includes the main reception building, the original family house, a small school for samurai retainers, and a traditional Japanese garden where visitors can walk freely.

The grounds of Jippotei and the Sugi Private School, opened by Sugi Minji (brother of revolutionary educator Yoshida Shoin), are free to visit. However, access to the exhibition room requires a fee of 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for junior and high school students. The museum is located approximately 20 minutes on foot from JR Yamaguchi Station on the Yamaguchi Line, or about 5 minutes' walk from Saikyo-bashi bus stop. The facility is closed on Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday falls on a holiday) and from December 29 to January 3.