Shimonoseki packs a surprising amount of history into a compact city. The waterfront Karato district is the place to start — the fish market, aquarium, and old post office building are all within easy walking distance. Further east, the ancient Akama Shrine sits at the edge of the strait where the decisive Battle of Dan-no-ura was fought in 1185. For a quieter half-day, the preserved castle town of Chofu, a few kilometres inland, offers Edo-period walls, a beautiful Buddhist temple, and the Mori clan's grand Meiji-era residence.