It's been awhile since I lived in Yamaguchi Prefecture, but one of my favorite places in Shimonoseki City was the Akama Jingju, or the Akama Shrine. The bright red colors and upkeep of the place may have you thinking this is a modern shrine, but it is a place of history, and the original shrine was apparently dedicated in the year 1191. The Shinto shrine is dedicated to a young emperor that died during a famous battle fought in the area between the Minamoto and Taira clans. You can find a lot on the history of the shrine and the battles online. What I like about this place is its quiet beauty and location looking out on the Straits of Kanmon (the body of water between the island of Honshu and the island of Kyushu. On low key days it is just a lovely place to visit and watch the young men and women dressed in traditional red and white shrine outfits go about their chores. I have been lucky enough to see a traditional wedding being conducted inside the Shrine as well. Also if you go to the Shrine during Golden Week (the nearly week long holiday season in late April/early May when several holidays fall around the same time) you can see a major commemorative ceremony conducted at the shrine. This includes a parade of women portraying the geishas of various rankings -- including the highest ranking, the women of the losing Taira clan who who forced into becoming geishas. A lone woman wearing the most elaborate kimono on the highest of geta (traditional wooden shoes) conducting a slow and gracebul walk up a raised platform into the shrine -- absolutely great!