The Matsue area is located in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture and is surrounded by the Shimane Peninsula, Lake Shinji, and the Nakaumi Sea. The main attractions in Matsue include Lake Shinji and the Shimane Art Museum.
Lake Shinji is a brackish lake with a circumference of 47 km and is known as a lake influenced by the tides of the sea. The lake is also famous for its fishing industry, and whitebait, which accounts for 90% of the catch in Lake Shinji, is a nationally recognized brand.
Lake Shinji is also a very popular tourist spot, and one of the reasons for this is the sunset. The sunset over Lake Shinji is said to be the most beautiful in Japan and is registered as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan. In the evening, sunset cruising can be enjoyed in conjunction with the sunset, attracting many tourists in search of the sunset over the Land of the Gods.
The Shimane Prefectural Art Museum is the largest of its kind in the San'in region, facing Lake Shinji. The museum's exhibits are composed of works of art and artifacts from major genres such as paintings, prints, crafts, photography, and sculpture, and it is known as a museum that is popular among many art lovers. The museum is also a popular spot for viewing beautiful sunsets, as it faces Lake Shinji.
Tamatsukuri Hot Spring Area is located in Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and is known as one of the most popular hot spring resorts in the San-in region. Major nearby attractions include Matsue Castle and the Izumo Tamasaku Museum.
Matsue Castle was built in 1611 by Tadashi Horio, the first lord of the Izumo Matsue Domain, and the castle ruins are designated as a national historic site.
The castle tower is designated as a national historic site. The castle tower is a national treasure, and it is said that Matsue Castle is the only castle tower that still retains its original form, which was passed down from Oda Nobunaga's Azuchi Castle to Hideyoshi's Osaka Castle. It is famous as the only one of the 12 existing castle towers in Japan that is a national treasure, and is visited by many tourists to see it.
The Izumo Tamasaku Museum is the only museum in Japan dedicated to the ancient art and traditions of tama-making. Inside the museum, visitors can see exhibits of mined articles excavated from Paleolithic ruins, as well as exhibits that provide historical background on how Izumo agate crafting began again at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). There is also a nearby spot where visitors can try their hand at making agate, which is popular among tourists.
Matsue Castle is one of Japan’s most important surviving feudal castles. Located in the heart of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, it is also known as Chidorijo, or “Plover Castle.” Built in the early 17th century, Matsue Castle is one of only 12 original castle towers remaining in Japan. The castle tower is designated as a National Treasure of Japan, while the castle grounds are designated as a N...»
Matsue Vogel Park is an all-weather theme park dedicated to flowers and birds in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Located along the northern shore of beautiful Lake Shinji, the park covers approximately 32 hectares and combines enormous flower greenhouses, bird aviaries, outdoor event areas, and observation facilities. Many of the park's major attractions are connected by covered walkways, allowing vi...»
Tamatsukuri Onsen, located in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts, with a history stretching back more than 1,300 years. Closely connected with the mythology and culture of ancient Izumo, the hot spring has long been known as a sacred healing bath and a “beauty hot spring”. Today, Tamatsukuri Onsen remains one of the best-known hot spring destinations in the Sa...»
Shinjiko Shicchin Cuisine is a collection of traditional local dishes made with seven types of fish and shellfish caught in Lake Shinji in Shimane Prefecture. Located in northeastern Shimane, Lake Shinji is a brackish lake, where freshwater mixes with seawater. The lake has a shoreline of approximately 45 kilometers and supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem. The balance between fresh and salt wate...»
Ago Noyaki is a traditional local specialty from the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture. In the local dialect, “ago” means flying fish. Fresh flying fish is made into a smooth fish paste, shaped around a long skewer, and grilled over charcoal until the outside becomes beautifully browned and fragrant. The fish paste is seasoned with a traditional Izumo condiment called Jidenshu. The paste is trad...»
Shijimi Clam Soup is one of Shimane Prefecture’s most beloved local dishes, made with shijimi clams harvested from Lake Shinji. The clams found in the lake are mainly Yamato shijimi, or freshwater Asiatic clams, which are known for their dark shells, relatively large size, tender meat, and rich umami flavor. Lake Shinji is a brackish lake where freshwater and seawater mix. This unique environment...»
Suzuki no Hosho-yaki is one of the traditional local dishes of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. A whole sea bass caught in Lake Shinji is wrapped in traditional Japanese hosho paper and slowly grilled, creating a distinctive dish in which the fish is gently steamed and roasted inside the paper. Sea bass from Lake Shinji is one of the seven representative fish and shellfish known as Shinjiko Shicc...»
Dojo cuisine is one of the traditional local foods associated with Yasugi City in Shimane Prefecture. Yasugi is famous not only for dishes made with dojo, or loaches, but also for Yasugi-bushi, a traditional folk song and dance performance featuring the well-known “dojo-sukui,” or loach-catching dance. For generations, people in the region have enjoyed loaches caught in familiar local environment...»
Matsue Ramen is a local style of ramen that has long been enjoyed in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. It is characterized by medium-thick, slightly curly noodles and a light, salty broth. With very little oil floating on the surface, the soup is often almost transparent, offering a clean and refreshing taste. Unlike heavily seasoned or richly flavored ramen, Matsue Ramen has a simple, comforting ...»
Sasa-maki is a traditional food from Shimane Prefecture made by wrapping rice-flour dumplings in the leaves of Kumazasa bamboo grass and boiling them. It is traditionally prepared from early May to around mid-June, when the fresh bamboo leaves have grown large, and is an important seasonal food for the traditional Boy’s Festival, or Tango no Sekku, celebrated in Shimane according to the old lunar ...»
Tofu Meshi is a traditional home-style dish from Shimane Prefecture, traditionally prepared during the cold season, especially around the time of the winter solstice. It is a simple yet nourishing rice dish made by cooking rice together with lightly fried tofu, wild mountain vegetables, and seasonal produce. In some areas, the dish is also known as “Dondoroke Meshi”. The name is said to come from...»
Yakuzen cuisine is a style of cooking that combines a variety of foods and traditional herbal ingredients while making the most of the individual characteristics of each ingredient. In Shimane Prefecture, restaurants serving yakuzen-style dishes can be found in various areas, often incorporating seasonal local foods with ingredients such as jujube, goji berries, and pine nuts. In the traditional ...»
Kiyomizu Shojin Cuisine is a traditional style of Japanese Buddhist vegetarian cuisine served at a restaurant and inn located within the grounds of Yasugi Kiyomizudera Temple in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. The temple is a historic site of the Tendai school of Buddhism. Enjoying this cuisine while looking out over the beautiful natural surroundings offers an experience quite different from th...»
Tsuda Turnip Pickles are a traditional winter pickle made from Tsuda turnips, a distinctive local vegetable grown around Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture. The turnips are known for their vivid reddish-purple skin and unique aroma, and they have long been enjoyed as part of the local food culture....»
Shijimi Clam Tsukudani is a traditional local specialty of Shimane Prefecture made with freshwater clams known as Yamato shijimi, harvested from Lake Shinji. Located in eastern Shimane, Lake Shinji has a circumference of approximately 45 kilometers and is a brackish lake where seawater and freshwater mix. This unique environment supports a variety of fish and shellfish. Among them, Yamato shijimi...»
Shinjiko Yamato clams are one of Shimane Prefecture’s most famous seafood specialties. The clams harvested from Lake Shinji are large, dark-shelled Yamato shijimi, or freshwater marsh clams, known for their distinctive mild sweetness and rich umami. They have long been enjoyed as one of the signature flavors of Lake Shinji and are included among the “Seven Delicacies of Lake Shinji”. This traditi...»
Matsue is the capital of Shimane Prefecture and one of the largest cities in the San'in region of western Japan. Located in the eastern part of Shimane, the city has developed as a historic castle town surrounded by a rich natural environment. Matsue is known as the “City of Water” because of its close relationship with Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, the Ohashi River, and the waterways surrounding Ma...»
Izumo Tamatsukuri Historic Park is an important archaeological site in Tamayu, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, where visitors can discover the ancient jewelry-making culture of the Izumo region. The park stretches across a hillside overlooking Tamatsukuri Onsen, one of the region's most famous hot spring resorts. The park preserves and presents the remains of the Izumo Tamatsukuri Site, where craftsm...»
The Izumo Tamatsukuri Museum is a specialized museum in Tamayu Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, located next to the Izumo Tamatsukuri Historic Park. It is the only museum in Japan dedicated exclusively to the history and craftsmanship of ancient bead-making. The museum stands on a hill on the eastern side of the historic park, surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the Tamatsukuri Onse...»
Shiomi Nawate is a picturesque historic street in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, stretching for approximately 500 meters along the Horikawa moat on the northern side of Matsue Castle. Lined with traditional samurai residences, the former home of Lafcadio Hearn, and the Meimei-an tea house, the street is one of the best places in Matsue to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese castle tow...»
Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence is a historic house in Shiomi Nawate, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, where the celebrated writer Lafcadio Hearn, also known by his Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo, lived during his time in Matsue. The residence is designated as a National Historic Site and is one of the city's most important places for understanding the writer's connection with Japan. Hearn lived here ...»
Tabe Museum is a museum in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, dedicated primarily to the art and culture of the Japanese tea ceremony. Located along the historic Horikawa moat, the museum offers visitors an opportunity to discover the refined tea culture that has flourished in Matsue for centuries. The museum's collection is centered on precious works and tea utensils handed down through the distinguish...»
Samurai Residence is a historic house and museum in Kitahoricho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. It stands almost at the center of Shiomi Nawate, a picturesque street along the northern moat of Matsue Castle that preserves the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town. The residence provides a rare opportunity to step inside an authentic samurai dwelling and discover how samurai and their families live...»
Meimei-an is a historic tea house associated with Matsudaira Fumai, one of the most celebrated daimyo tea masters of the Edo period. Located on a hill in Kitahoricho, Matsue, the tea house stands amid the historic streetscape of Shiomi Nawate, overlooking Matsue Castle. Surrounded by greenery and quiet, Meimei-an offers visitors a chance to experience the refined tea culture for which Matsue is f...»
The Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum is a literary museum located along Shiomi Nawate, a historic samurai district in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The museum celebrates the life and achievements of Lafcadio Hearn, also known in Japan as Koizumi Yakumo, a writer who introduced Japanese culture, folklore, and aesthetics to readers around the world. Hearn is particularly well known for works such as Gl...»
The Former Okudani Residence of Shimane University is a charming Western-style wooden house in Okudani-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Built in 1924 during the Taisho period, it originally served as official housing for foreign teachers at the former Matsue Higher School. Today, the building is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan and is valued as an important reminder of Matsue's his...»
Kanden-an is a historic tea house and garden in Sugata-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. It was created in the late 18th century according to the design ideas of Matsudaira Harusato, known as Lord Fumai, the seventh lord of the Matsue domain and one of Japan's most celebrated feudal lords associated with the tea ceremony. Built within the mountain retreat of the former Matsue domain chief retainer...»
The Matsue History Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Opened in 2011, it stands beside the moat on the eastern side of Matsue Castle, a National Treasure. Through historical artifacts, models, videos, audio, and other interactive displays, the museum introduces the development of Matsue as a castle town, the history of the Matsue domain, the live...»
KARAKORO Art Studio is a cultural and commercial complex in Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, housed in the former Matsue Branch of the Bank of Japan. Opened in 2000, the building has long been a familiar landmark for both local residents and visitors. Following renovations, KARAKORO Art Studio has been transformed into a modern gathering place where visitors can enjoy food, culture, and art...»
The Tawayama Archaeological Site in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, is one of the most unusual and intriguing archaeological sites from Japan's Yayoi period. Occupied from the latter part of the early Yayoi period through the latter part of the middle Yayoi period, the site offers important clues about how people lived, worshipped, and organized their communities approximately 2,000 years ago. Tawaya...»
Lake Shinji is one of the most distinctive natural landmarks in Shimane Prefecture. Located in the northeastern part of the prefecture, the lake stretches across Matsue and Izumo and is closely connected with the landscape, history, food culture, and daily life of the region. The lake covers approximately 79.1 square kilometers and has a shoreline of about 47 kilometers, making it the seventh-lar...»
Lake Nakaumi is one of the largest and most distinctive lakes in the San'in region of western Japan. Stretching across Matsue and Yasugi in Shimane Prefecture and Yonago and Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, it forms a vast water landscape closely connected with the lives, industries, and natural environment of the surrounding communities. With a surface area of approximately 86 to 92 square kil...»
Kaga Kugedo is a spectacular coastal landmark located at Kugedobana on the northern coast of Matsue, in the former Shimane Town area. Facing the Sea of Japan, this dramatic site combines enormous sea caves carved by the power of the ocean with ancient Japanese mythology and local religious traditions. The name “Kaga” comes from the name of the nearby settlement, while “Kugedo” simply means a cave...»
Daikonshima Island is a scenic island floating in Lake Nakaumi in eastern Shimane Prefecture. Administratively part of Matsue City, the island measures approximately 3.3 kilometers from east to west and 2.2 kilometers from north to south, with an area of about 5.15 square kilometers and a coastline of roughly 12 kilometers. Although surrounded by the calm waters of a brackish lake, Daikonshima ha...»
Yushien Garden is a beautiful traditional Japanese strolling garden located on Daikon Island in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Known as one of the finest Japanese gardens in the San'in region, Yushien is especially famous for its spectacular peonies. The garden is also closely connected with Unshu ginseng, a traditional crop cultivated on Daikon Island since the Edo period. Visitors can enjoy the be...»
Miho Sekki Lighthouse stands on Jizozaki at the easternmost tip of the Shimane Peninsula. Built in 1898, it is the oldest stone lighthouse in the San'in region and is now designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Standing proudly on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan, the lighthouse offers spectacular views of the deep blue ocean and sky. On clear days, visitors can see the distant ...»
Yomotsu Hirasaka is a legendary slope said in Japanese mythology to mark the boundary between the world of the living and Yomi-no-Kuni, the realm of the dead. It appears as “Yomotsu Hirasaka” in the Kojiki, as “Yomotsu Hirasaka” or “Izumo Hirasaka” in the Nihon Shoki, and as “Yomi-no-Saka” in the Izumo Fudoki. For centuries, it has remained an important setting in the mythology and religious tradi...»
Tawara Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Okudani-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine originally consisted of two separate shrines, which were combined into a single shrine in 1674, during the Edo period. Formerly designated as a prefectural shrine, Tawara Shrine has long been deeply respected by local residents....»
Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Tamayucho Tamatsukuri, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. With a history closely connected to the ancient traditions and beliefs of Izumo, the shrine is recorded in the Engishiki, an ancient record of Shinto shrines, and was once designated as a prefectural shrine. Located at the quiet end of the Tamatsukuri Onsen hot spring town and surrounde...»
Matsue Shinjiko Onsen is a lakeside hot spring resort in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, an area that was once part of the historic Izumo Province. Located along the northern shore of Lake Shinji, the resort is surrounded by beautiful scenery where the lake and sky create ever-changing views. It offers visitors a peaceful place to relax while also providing convenient access to Matsue’s major sightsee...»
Matsue Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Ninomaru area of the castle grounds of Matsue Castle, a National Treasure in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Situated directly beside Kounkaku, the shrine enjoys an excellent location in the heart of Matsue’s main sightseeing district and attracts many visitors. The shrine enshrines several influential feudal lords who played important roles in...»
Gesshoji Temple is a Jodo Buddhist temple located in Sotonakabaracho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Set in a quiet residential area near Matsue Castle, the temple grounds contain the carefully arranged tombs of successive lords of the Matsudaira family, who ruled the Matsue Domain. The tomb complex is designated as a National Historic Site under the name “Matsue Domain Matsudaira Family Graves.” I...»
Yaegaki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, deeply connected with the mythology of Izumo. Formerly known as Sakusa Shrine, it has been worshipped since ancient times and is counted among the Six Shrines of Iu. It is also the 14th temple of the Izumo Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Sites pilgrimage. The shrine is particularly famous throughout Japan as a sacred place for love,...»
Kamosu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Oba-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Formerly classified as a prefectural shrine, it is also counted as one of the Six Shrines of Iu, a group of ancient shrines in the southeastern part of Matsue. Locally, the shrine is affectionately known as “Kamosu-san” and “Oba no Omiyasama.” Surrounded by quiet woodland, it retains a solemn atmosphere befi...»
Kumano Taisha Shrine is one of the most historic Shinto shrines in the Izumo region, located in Kumano, Yakumo-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. It is recorded as a Myōjin Taisha, one of the highest-ranking shrines, in the Engishiki, an important compilation of ancient Japanese laws and religious institutions. Since ancient times, it has been deeply revered as the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shr...»
Sada Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Sada-Miyauchi, Kashima-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Revered since ancient times as the Second Shrine of Izumo Province, it was designated a National Shrine of Minor Rank under Japan’s former shrine-ranking system. The shrine is mentioned in the Izumo Fudoki, an ancient record of the Izumo region, and was once known as Sada Taisha. It is also ...»
Sada Shin Noh, Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Sada Shin Noh is a traditional sacred performing art presented at Sada Shrine in Kashima-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, every year on September 24 and 25. According to the traditional lunar calendar, these dates correspond to August 24 and 25. The performances form the central part of the Gozakae Festival, an important Shinto ce...»
Miho Shrine stands in the historic port town of Mihonoseki in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, overlooking Miho Bay on the Sea of Japan. Mentioned in the ancient Izumo Fudoki, the shrine is an important historic sanctuary that was once ranked as a National Shrine of Middle Rank under Japan’s former shrine-ranking system. Miho Shrine is particularly renowned as the head shrine of more than 3,000 shrine...»
Mefu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in central Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Since ancient times, it has been deeply revered as a sacred place associated with the blessings of water and nature. The shrine is mentioned in both the Izumo Fudoki and the Engishiki, two important historical records, and was formerly classified as a prefectural shrine. It is also the sixth temple and shrine si...»
Manai Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Yamashirocho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. It stands in the ancient region of Ou, once an important center of Izumo culture, at the southeastern foot of Mt. Kannabi, also known as Mt. Chausuyama. Surrounded by nature and a peaceful atmosphere, the shrine offers visitors a chance to experience both the spiritual heritage and ancient history of the ...»
Hirahama Hachimangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Formerly classified as a prefectural shrine, it has been an important center of local faith for centuries. The shrine is also the 13th sacred site on the Izumo Shinto-Buddhist Sacred Sites Pilgrimage. Surrounded by lush greenery and steeped in a long history of religious traditions, it is a fascinating place to e...»
Rokusho Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Okusa-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. It stands near the center of the Ou Plain, an area that was once the heart of ancient Izumo’s politics and religious life. The shrine occupies a particularly significant site because it stands on the grounds of what was once the provincial government office of Izumo Province. Rokusho Shrine is one of the ...»
Iya Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Iya, Higashiizumo-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. It is one of the Six Shrines of Ou, a group of ancient and important shrines in the historic Ou region. The shrine was formerly classified as a village shrine and was later designated as a prefectural shrine. Iya Shrine has a particularly strong connection with Japanese mythology and the legendary...»
The Shimane Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the San'in region, located in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Opened in March 1999, the museum was created as a cultural center for the 21st century under the theme of “a museum in harmony with water.” Its location on the shores of Lake Shinji is one of its greatest attractions, particularly the spectacular sunsets visible to the west of the ...»
Mihonoseki, in eastern Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, is a historic port town located at the eastern tip of the Shimane Peninsula, surrounded by the Sea of Japan and Lake Nakaumi. Since ancient times, it has prospered as an important center of maritime transportation and later developed through Kitamaebune shipping and trade across the Sea of Japan. One of the most distinctive traditions of Mihonose...»
Kounkaku is a historic building located in the Ninomaru area of Matsue Castle in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Completed in 1903, it is a valuable example of pseudo-Western architecture that beautifully blends traditional Japanese construction with Western-style design. The building was originally constructed to serve as accommodation for Emperor Meiji during a planned imperial visit. Today, it is d...»
Yakumo Tatsufudoki-no-oka is a historic park and open-air museum located in Oba-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The park covers the O-u area, which was once the political and cultural heart of ancient Izumo, and was established to preserve and introduce its many archaeological sites and historical landscapes. The park opened in 1972 as the sixth facility in Japan established under the natio...»
The Matsue Lake Line is a convenient sightseeing bus for visitors exploring Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture. Operated by the Matsue City Transportation Bureau, the bus starts at JR Matsue Station and connects many of the city's major tourist attractions. With its convenient route through Matsue's historic streets, waterfront areas, and cultural attractions, the Lake Line is an easy way for firs...»
Horan-enya is a traditional festival held in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, once every ten years. Its official name is the Matsue Castle Jozan Inari Shrine Shikinen Shinkosai. During the festival, the sacred spirit of Jozan Inari Shrine, located within Matsue Castle, is carried by boat to Atakaaya Shrine in Izumo-go, Higashiizumo-cho. After a period of prayers and religious ceremonies, the sacre...»
The Matsue Horan-enya Museum is a cultural facility in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to introducing the history and traditions of Horan-enya, one of Japan's most spectacular boat festivals. Officially known as the Matsue Castle Jozan Inari Shrine Shikinen Shinkosai, Horan-enya has a history of more than 370 years. The festival is held once every ten years and is recognized as one of ...»
Shinjiko Shicchin refers to seven representative fish and shellfish traditionally harvested from Lake Shinji, a brackish lake located west of Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture. The lake's unique environment, where freshwater and seawater meet, provides an abundance of seafood that has become an important part of Matsue's local food culture. The seven delicacies are Japanese sea bass, morogae shri...»
Yamakawa is one of the most celebrated traditional Japanese sweets of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. This elegant rakugan-style confection has a deep connection with Matsue's tea ceremony culture and is especially associated with Matsudaira Harusato, the feudal lord and tea master of the late Edo period who was better known as Fumaikō. Yamakawa is traditionally counted among the famous sweets f...»
Wakakusa is one of Matsue City's best-known traditional Japanese sweets. It continues to be carefully made by established confectionery shops in Matsue, including the long-running Saiundo. Wakakusa is traditionally associated with Matsudaira Harusato, the seventh lord of the Matsue domain and a renowned tea master better known as Fumaikō. It is considered one of the sweets favored by Fumaikō and ...»
The Shimane University Museum “Ashikaru” is a university museum located on the Matsue Campus of Shimane University in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The museum systematically preserves and displays valuable specimens and historical materials collected by the university over many years. It serves not only as a center for education and academic research, but also as an important place for sharing the ...»
Yasugi City is located at the eastern edge of Shimane Prefecture, bordering Tottori Prefecture in the eastern part of the Izumo region. From ancient times, the area has developed a rich culture shaped by mythology, history, industry, traditional performing arts, and local customs. The origin of the city's name is connected to a story recorded in the ancient Izumo Fudoki. According to legend, when...»
Roadside Station Hirose-Todajo is located in Hirose Town, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, along Prefectural Route 45. Situated at the foot of Mount Gassan, home to the famous Gassan Toda Castle, the roadside station is a convenient sightseeing hub where visitors can experience the area's history, traditional culture, local crafts, and cuisine. The facility includes the Hirose Kasuri Center, whic...»
Yasugi City Historical Museum is located in Hirose Town, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Completed in April 1982, the museum stands at the foot of Mount Gassan, approximately 190 meters above sea level, near the Okamori-guchi entrance on the western side of the ruins of Gassan Toda Castle, one of the most famous mountain castles of Japan's Warring States period. The museum is housed in a clean, ...»
Gassan Toda Castle is located in Hirose Town, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, and is one of the most remarkable historic sites associated with Japan's Warring States period. Built on Mount Gassan, which rises approximately 183.9 meters above sea level, the castle was one of the largest and most strongly defended mountain castles of its time. Today, the castle survives as a historic site where vi...»
Hirose-gasuri is a traditional Japanese textile that originated in Hirose Town, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, and has been passed down through generations. Along with Kurayoshi-gasuri and Yumigahama-gasuri, it is regarded as one of the three major kasuri textiles of the San'in region. Hirose-gasuri is especially known for its bold, large-scale pictorial patterns. The deep blue tones created th...»
Michi-no-Eki Ara Essa is a roadside station in Nakami-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Located at an important junction where National Routes 9 and 180 meet, it is the easternmost roadside station in Shimane Prefecture and is conveniently close to Yonago City in neighboring Tottori Prefecture. Known as “the eastern gateway to Shimane, the home of Japanese mythology,” the roadside station is ...»
Wakō Museum is a comprehensive museum in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to Japan's traditional ironmaking culture. The museum focuses on tatara ironmaking, an ancient Japanese technique that produced tamahagane, a high-quality steel traditionally used to make Japanese swords. Iron has supported human life for thousands of years, being used for agricultural tools, implements, weapons, ...»
The Adachi Museum of Art is located in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, and is renowned both in Japan and overseas for its exceptional collection of Japanese art and its beautifully designed Japanese gardens. Founded in 1970 by Yasugi-born businessman Adachi Zenko, the museum houses approximately 2,000 works, including Japanese paintings, ceramics, children's illustrations, and wood sculptures. T...»
The Yasugi City Kano Museum, commonly known as the Kano Museum, is a public art museum located in the peaceful, mountainous area of Hirose Town in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, the museum is particularly known for introducing the art and philosophy of peace of Kano Kanrai, a Western-style painter from the local area. The museum was established in 1996 b...»
Saginoyu Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, that has been enjoyed by local people for centuries. Surrounded by the mountains of the Chugoku region and located beside the clear waters of the Iinashi River, the hot spring area offers a peaceful setting surrounded by rich natural beauty. The area is also part of the Shimizu-Gassan Prefectural Natural Park, allo...»
Yasugi-bushi Entertainment Hall is a cultural and performing arts facility in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, where visitors can experience Yasugi-bushi, one of Shimane's best-known traditional folk songs, along with a variety of other Japanese performing arts. Located in the birthplace of Yasugi-bushi, the hall serves as an important center for preserving and sharing the region's traditional cul...»
Yasugi-bushi is a traditional folk song from Yasugi City in Shimane Prefecture and one of Japan's best-known forms of regional performing arts. It is particularly famous for the humorous dojo-sukui dance, a playful performance that imitates catching loaches in a stream. With its lively rhythm, catchy lyrics, and comical dance movements, Yasugi-bushi has entertained audiences throughout Japan for ...»
Hita Onsen is a quiet hot spring destination nestled in the mountains of Hirose Town, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Located in an area that was once part of ancient Izumo Province, the hot spring is surrounded by the rich natural scenery of the Chugoku Mountains. Situated away from the center of Yasugi near the prefectural border, Hita Onsen has long been known as a place for toji, the traditi...»
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, located in Shimizu-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, is a historic Buddhist temple said to have been founded in 587. With a history spanning more than 1,400 years, it is one of the most important ancient temples in the San'in region of western Japan. The temple belongs to the Tendai school of Buddhism and has long been revered as a sacred place for protection from misfort...»
Kiyomizu Yokan is one of the most famous traditional Japanese sweets from Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. It has been enjoyed for centuries as a local specialty of the San'in region and is particularly associated with Kiyomizu-dera Temple, an ancient Tendai Buddhist temple in Yasugi. For generations, Kiyomizu Yokan has been made by confectioners around the temple and has become a popular souveni...»
Koyokan is a long-established Japanese inn located within the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by towering cedar trees and the peaceful scenery of the temple precincts, the inn offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Japanese hospitality while enjoying beautifully prepared shojin ryori, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. The inn traces its origin...»
A Traditional Japanese Inn Surrounded by the Quiet of Kiyomizu-dera Shokinkan is a historic ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, located within the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture. Founded in 1869, Shokinkan has welcomed worshippers and travelers for more than 150 years. Set along the approach to the mountain temple and surrounded by lush nature, the inn offers a pe...»
A Historic Shrine Dedicated to One of the Four Great Deities of Izumo Noki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Noki-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. It has been an important place of worship for the local community since ancient times. Formerly classified as a prefectural shrine, Noki Shrine is closely connected with the history and mythology of the Izumo region. The shrine is par...»
A Sengoku-Era Castle Site with Panoramic Views of Lake Nakaumi Tokamiyama Castle was a Japanese mountain fortress that once stood on the summit of Mt. Tokamiyama in what is now Shintokamicho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. During the Sengoku period, it served as an important strategic stronghold in the Izumo region. The castle was built on the approximately 92-meter-high Mt. Tokamiyama overloo...»
A 700-Year-Old Zen Temple Surrounded by Seasonal Beauty Zuitozan Unjuji Temple is a historic temple in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. It belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and was founded in 1322, during the late Kamakura period, by the renowned Zen master Koho Kakumyo. Known as one of the oldest Zen temples in the Izumo region, Unjuji has welcomed worshippers f...»
The Head Shrine of Japan’s Traditional Ironmaking Tradition Kanayago Shrine stands deep in the mountains of Nishihida, Hirosecho, in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. It is widely regarded as the head shrine of approximately 1,200 Kanayago Shrines found throughout Japan. The shrine is located in a quiet mountain basin surrounded by the rich natural landscape of the Chugoku Mountains. Clear stream...»
A Historic Shrine at the Foot of Gassan Toda Castle Toda Hachimangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Hirosecho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Located at the foot of Gassan Toda Castle and surrounded by rich natural scenery, the shrine has long been cherished by local residents as a place of worship and protection. Throughout its long history, Toda Hachimangu Shrine has received the devot...»
The Iinashi River Estuary is a scenic spot in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, that has attracted increasing attention in recent years. It is particularly famous for its dreamlike scenery, earning the nickname “Yasugi’s Uyuni Salt Flat.” When weather and water conditions are just right, the calm surface becomes like a giant mirror, beautifully reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape. The sce...»
Fube Dam is a multipurpose dam located in Fube, Hirosecho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and rich natural scenery, it is a peaceful destination where visitors can enjoy beautiful landscapes throughout the year while also discovering the area's fascinating industrial and cultural history. The reservoir created by the dam is affectionately known as Shiratsubaki Lake, or “...»
Hibayama Kume Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located on Mt. Hibayama in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Revered for centuries as a place of worship for safe childbirth and fertility, the shrine continues to attract visitors seeking to experience the spiritual atmosphere of this sacred mountain. The shrine is officially registered with the Association of Shinto Shrines under the name Kumano S...»
Katsuhitakamori Shrine stands near the summit of Mount Gassan in Hirosecho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Revered since ancient times as a guardian deity of the area, the shrine now stands near the former main enclosure of Gassan Toda Castle, one of Japan's most famous mountain castles. The shrine is traditionally believed to have existed before Gassan Toda Castle was built. In ancient times, ...»
Iwakukan-ji Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple in Hirosecho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Located at the foot of Gassan Toda Castle, the temple has been an important place of worship for the local community for more than a thousand years. The temple is traditionally said to have been founded in 726, during the Jinki era of the Nara period, by the renowned Buddhist monk Gyoki. Over t...»
Nawakuri Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Higashihida, Hirosecho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery, the shrine has long been worshipped as a guardian deity of cattle, horses, and livestock. The shrine has traditionally been especially respected by people involved in livestock farming and forestry. Worshippers from across the Chugoku region have...»
Takairi Falls is a beautiful waterfall located halfway up Mt. Takairi, near the border between Hakuta-cho in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, and Nichinan Town in Tottori Prefecture. Hidden deep in a peaceful mountain forest, this secluded natural attraction is known for its clear spring water, dramatic scenery, and centuries-old legends. Mt. Takairi rises to an elevation of 706 meters, and the w...»
Ancient Izumo Royal Burial Mounds Park is a historic park located near JR Arashima Station in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture. The park preserves a group of ancient burial mounds dating from the Yayoi Period to the Kofun Period and offers visitors an opportunity to explore the history of ancient Izumo while enjoying the surrounding natural scenery. The park is situated on hills overlooking Lake Nakaum...»
Ao-ishidatami Street is a historic stone-paved road in Mihonoseki, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. It runs from Miho Shrine to Butsukokuji Temple and preserves the atmosphere of the old port town that flourished through Kitamaebune maritime trade. The road was developed during the late Edo period as an approach to Miho Shrine. Mihonoseki had long been an important center of maritime transportation an...»
Miho Seki, located at the eastern tip of the Shimane Peninsula in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, is a historic port town surrounded by the Sea of Japan and Miho Bay. The calm, crescent-shaped bay, atmospheric streets lined with traditional buildings, and the nearby Miho Shrine create a distinctive cultural landscape where maritime traditions and ancient mythology continue to live on. The area is pre...»
Seki Gohonmatsu Park is one of the most scenic destinations in Mihonoseki, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Located on a gently elevated hillside west of Mihonoseki Fishing Port, the park stretches across a hill approximately 100 to 130 meters above sea level. From the park, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Miho Bay, Yumigahama, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. On clear days, the distant Oki Is...»
Meteor Plaza is a unique multi-purpose facility located at Shichirui Port in Mihonoseki, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. While the port is best known as a ferry terminal for services to the Oki Islands, Meteor Plaza offers much more, combining themes of space, the sea, and relaxation in one distinctive destination. The facility was created following the fall of the Mihonoseki Meteorite onto a private...»
Mihokan is a long-established Japanese inn located in Mihonoseki, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Set in a superb location overlooking Miho Bay, the inn has long been loved by travelers, writers, and artists for its beautiful traditional architecture and its connection with the history of this historic port town. The main building and former annex of Mihokan were the first operating ryokan in Sh...»
Kitaura Beach, located in Mihonoseki, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is known as one of the most beautiful beaches on the Shimane Peninsula. With its exceptionally clear water and broad white-sand beach, it is a popular summer destination and is regarded as one of the scenic highlights of the San'in region. The gently sloping, shallow shoreline generally has relatively calm waves, making it a c...»
Jizozaki Cape is located in Mihonoseki, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and marks the easternmost point of the Shimane Peninsula. Extending dramatically into the Sea of Japan, the cape has long been associated with safe maritime travel and is known as a place where spectacular coastal scenery, ancient mythology, and historic architecture come together. Today, the area around Jizozaki Cape is par...»