Chinryutei Pavilion

This modest building before you is where Japan's destiny was decided.

In September 1867, leaders from Satsuma—Takamori Saigo, Toshimichi Okubo, and Torajiro Kommatsu—journeyed to Yamaguchi. Here they faced their former enemies from Choshu: Takayoshi Kido, Hirobumi Ito, and Yajiro Shinagawa. Once these two domains had clashed swords at the Hamaguri Rebellion. Yet through the mediation of Ryoma Sakamoto and others, ancient rivals gathered with a single purpose: to overthrow the Edo shogunate.

Originally a guest house of the merchant Abe family, this building takes its name Chinryutei from its riverside setting overlooking the Ichinosaka stream. Legend says that in this quiet parlor, with only the gentle murmur of the river as witness, the leaders swore the oath that would bring the Meiji Restoration into being. Relocated to its present location in 1960, it continues to stand in serene testimony to that fateful night.

History's turning points are born in such unassuming rooms. We invite you to pause here and imagine the tension and passion that filled this space long ago.