HAGI CHOCOLATE GARDEN
"We aim to bring Hagi to life with the magic of chocolate. Our goal is to unite everyone in Hagi, infusing the town with renewed energy. Here, age or circumstance doesn't define anyone—be it a person with disabilities, an elder, or a youngster. It's a place where everyone can thrive, where chocolate artisans and enthusiasts alike find comfort, creating a welcoming haven known as the HAGI Chocolate Garden.
Using the finest cacao, we craft exceptional chocolates, seeking to enrich the Hagi experience.
Our cacao hails from farms in the Philippines, and it's important to us that everyone involved prospers. Our bond with the Philippines and the cacao farms is deeply cherished.
With every chocolate we create, we envision those who enjoy them and those working alongside us in the cacao farms. We pour sincerity and meticulous care into our chocolates. While there might not be renowned chocolatiers among us, each individual, often unsung, delivers flavors crafted with heartfelt dedication."
OUR CHOCOLATE
THE HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE CACAO
When we talk about imports from the Philippines, what comes to mind? Bananas, perhaps? Admittedly, Philippine cacao might not be the first thing you think of. However, the Philippines falls within the tropical region, "within 20 degrees latitude," making it an ideal place for cacao production. Surprisingly, the Philippines was where cacao was first introduced in Asia. Cacao cultivation has a long history in the Philippines.
The Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule for a significant period. Even the country's name, "the Philippines," was named after Prince Felipe of Spain. It's during this 250-year Spanish rule that cacao cultivation in the Philippines began as part of the process of introducing tropical chocolate to the European royalty during the Age of Exploration.
In recent years, encouraged by government policies, cacao production in the Philippines has been on the rise. The predominant cacao variety is the Trinitario type, but there have been ongoing efforts to improve and develop new cacao varieties.
THE EMIDIO MARCELLINA FARM
Allow me to introduce our esteemed partners: the cacao farms in the Philippines. These are the individuals we deeply cherish. Our partner cacao farm, linked with HAGI Chocolate Garden, is a family-run plantation located 140 kilometers northeast of Davao City in the Philippines. The current steward of this farm is Connie, the third generation in her family.
The history of this farm dates back to the late 20th century. In 1993, Connie's father germinated cacao seedlings from trees grown in the vicinity. Using those seedlings, he and his spouse embarked on starting a cacao plantation. They selected and refined the Trinitario variety UF-18, developing a new strain known as EX-617. This strain gained high acclaim and some of these trees have been registered by the Philippines' Department of Agriculture. The name EX-617 was derived from Connie's parents, Emideo and Marcellina, combining their initials with their wedding anniversary date.
THE CHARM OF HAGI
Our goal is to invigorate Hagi. Beyond crafting and selling chocolate with our comrades in Hagi, we aspire to spread awareness about this town far and wide. We want many people to know about Hagi, to discover its charm, and, most importantly, to come and experience it firsthand. Allow us to give you a brief introduction to Hagi.
Meiji Restoration
The role played by Hagi's Shoka Sonjuku during the Meiji Restoration was significant, producing numerous individuals who shaped the era. Shoka Sonjuku originated from the period when Yoshida Shoin, who had attempted a clandestine voyage to the United States at the end of the Edo period and was subsequently detained at his family home, received disciplinary action. Many gathered there to learn his teachings. Shoin welcomed individuals regardless of social status—be they samurai or farmers—and emphasized the importance of engaging in discussions and taking action on equal footing. The building of Shoka Sonjuku remains preserved, echoing the ambiance of that time with its tatami rooms and aged desks, providing a glimpse into history.
and Shoka Sonjuku
In 2015, the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining" were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This collection comprises 23 sites scattered across eight prefectures, primarily centered around Kyushu. Hagi proudly boasts five of these heritage sites. These include the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, the Ebisu-ga-hana Shipyard Remains, the Oitayama Tatara Iron Manufacturing Site, the Hagi Castle Town, and the Shoka Sonjuku. The recognition of Hagi's role during Japan's Meiji era stands as a source of pride for the citizens of Hagi.
Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution (World Heritage Site)
HAGI GEOPARK
Natural Heritage Surrounded by Mountains and Sea
Hagi Castle Town, established by Terumoto Mori in 1604, is enclosed by mountains on three sides while opening up to the coastline facing the mainland. This terrain held significant strategic advantages. The surrounding landscape of the castle town has witnessed diverse volcanic activities over the past 100 million years. Offshore islands formed by volcanic eruptions, Japan's smallest volcano on Mount Kasa, groves of camellia trees, the Hornfels formations towering over the Susa Bay, and the lava plateaus amidst the mountains all contribute to an ideal environment for agriculture. The Hagi-yaki pottery, with a history spanning over 400 years, is also a gift from this land. Would you like to experience the history of this land, where nature and people have walked hand in hand, at the Hagi Geopark?
Hagi Christian Story
Yamaguchi Prefecture holds significance as the place where Francis Xavier conducted the spread of Christianity. Hagi, too, shares a deep connection with Christian culture. Amidst persecution, believers sought refuge in the mountain villages of Hagi. Motonao Kumagai, a Christian samurai, refused to renounce his faith and became a martyr. In the early Meiji era, Father Villien of the Hagi Catholic Church worked tirelessly to protect exiled and hidden Christians from Nagasaki. During the tumultuous period of World War II, Father Vieira became a caretaker for those repatriated from the continent.
Hagi Meirin Gakusha
Hagi Bunka, Meirin Gakusha, serves as a hub for conveying the tale of Hagi and stands as a prominent tourist attraction. Established through the renovation of Japan's largest wooden school buildings erected in 1935, Hagi Bunka, Meirin Gakusha, came into existence. Inside the premises, you'll find the exhibition hall of Meirinkan, the domain's academy founded in 1719, a restaurant featuring local Hagi ingredients, a shop offering unique Hagi souvenirs, a World Heritage Visitor Center, and the Bakumatsu Museum housing valuable artifacts unraveling the history of the late Edo period.
In the heart of Hagi City stands the Young Plaza Building, constructed during the Showa era, housing the Hagi Twin Cinema on its third floor. With two screens, it's a spacious theater—one of the few remaining large cinemas in regional areas nationwide, boasting lavish interiors. Opening its doors in 1980, this theater retains the essence of the Showa era while embracing a diverse lineup ranging from mainstream popular movies to art films and works by emerging directors—a rarity that encompasses a wide spectrum of cinematic experiences.
HAGI TOWN CINEMA
新生萩開発株式会社
萩市東田町18-4-101
TEL: 0838-21-5866
9:00～23:00
Shinsei Hagi Development Co., Ltd.
18-4-101 Higashida-machi, Hagi City
TEL: +81-838-21-5866
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
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JOB OPENINGS
We are not currently hiring. When we have job openings, we will advertise them on this page. If you're someone who loves chocolate, wants to contribute to the vitality of Hagi, and enjoys working collaboratively with a team, we invite you to consider becoming a part of Hagi Chocolate Garden in the future.
We are not currently hiring. When we have job openings, we will advertise them on this page. If you're someone who loves chocolate, wants to contribute to the vitality of Hagi, and enjoys working collaboratively with a team, we invite you to consider becoming a part of Hagi Chocolate Garden in the future.
JOB OPENINGS
Shinsei Hagi Development Co., Ltd.
18-4-101 Higashida-machi, Hagi City
TEL: +81-838-21-5866
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM