Horiuchi Kaimagari and Hiyako Kaimagari Streets

Kaimagari, meaning 'key turn,' describes a defensive street design developed in the early Edo period where a sharp right-angle bend made a passable road look like a dead end to approaching intruders. Hagi Castle Town preserves two examples. The first, Horiuchi Kaimagari, sits in the high-ranking samurai district near the Kuchiba Family Residence. The second, Hiyako Kaimagari, passes a stretch of beautifully maintained earthen walls where natsumikan citrus hang bright orange in summer. Natsumikan is a Hagi specialty, and this corner draws photographers when the fruit is ripe. Both streets are free to walk and open at all hours.