Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture – A Serene Escape
The enchanting city of Matsue boasts an array of historical places to visit. From uncovering ancient legends at Izumo Taisha shrine to admiring the exquisite collections at the Adachi Museum of Art, this castle town beckons travelers seeking enriching cultural experiences. 島根県松江市 介護
Located in the northeastern corner of Japan’s main island, Matsue offers easy access via train or bus. A JR Pass or local area pass will help you save time and money when exploring this remarkable prefecture. Lake Shinji
As the seventh-largest lake in Japan, Matsue’s Lake Shinji is its city’s foremost symbol as “City of Water.” The brackish lake, connected to the Nakaumi Lagoon and the Japan Sea, supports a wide range of fish and shellfish. Small boats dot the lake’s waters harvesting Shinjiko cchin, or the Seven Delicacies of Lake Shinji—whitebait, sea bass, eel, prawn, smelt, carp, and shijimi clams (reserve a spot at the clam center in Shinjiko Onsen for a meal of these can’t-miss treats).
Central Matsue also is a top spot to watch Lake Shinji’s spectacular sunsets, which have been included on lists of the country’s one hundred best. The dance of the colors in the sky as reflected by the lake keep both locals and visitors spellbound. Best views are from a variety of spots along the Lake Shinji promenade, such as the Matsue Art Museum and the Sunset Viewing Area in Shirakata Park.
Matsue’s main claim to fame, though, is Matsue Castle—one of the few 17th-century castles to have retained its original appearance. The castle is surrounded by moats and can be toured via sightseeing boat. Across the castle moat are Jozan Inari Shrine, famous for its fox statues, and the former residence of writer Lafcadio Hearn, who introduced Japan to the West in the 19th century. Hearn’s home is now the Lafcadio Hearn Museum.
October is the best time to see Matsue’s iconic Lake Shinji, when its sakura or cherry blossoms come into full bloom. A few kilometers away, at the southern end of the lake, is Yomegashima, a flat island that looks like it was flung onto the lake’s surface and stayed there—perhaps by a mythical creature or even a dragon. It’s a popular spot for picnicking and enjoying the stunning scenery. The Sea of Japan
Often overlooked by travellers, the Sea of Japan is the perfect place to experience the serenity of Japanese culture. Whether you want to go sailing in the crystal clear waters or simply relax by its shores, there is something for every traveller. The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea bordered by the Japan Archipelago, Sakhalin Island, Korea and Russia on the Asian mainland. With a surface area of about 978,000 square miles (377,600 km2), the sea has very little tide change and no large bays or capes.
It is a classic semienclosed sea, with inflows into it confined to the Strait of Korea and outflows through the La Perouse and Tsugaru straits. The Sea of Japan is characterised by two prominent counterclockwise sea currents: the Tsushima current brings cold and nutrient-rich waters from the Bering Sea while the Kuroshio current brings warm and salty water from the northern Pacific Ocean.
The Sea of Japan has played a key role in the development of Japanese culture and society. From the early Edo period, the sea has been central to Japan’s art, literature and music. In fact, the word “sea” is used as a metaphor for the national spirit and identity in Japanese culture.
Aside from its scenic landscape, the Sea of Japan is also rich in cultural assets and historic sites. The City of Matsue is a treasure trove of historical landmarks, including one of the few largely intact 17th-century castles in Japan—Matsue Castle, also known as “Plover Castle.”
Matsue is home to many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as a beautiful traditional Japanese street (Shiomi Nawate) lined with Edo-period samurai residences and the former residence of author Lafcadio Hearn, who introduced Japan to Westerners in the 19th century.
The best way to explore the region is on foot, with many attractions within walking distance of the railway station. The city center is bisected by the Ohashi River and has several pedestrian-only areas. During the summer, the castle grounds are carpeted with around 200 cherry trees and are a delight to stroll through. Alternatively, visitors can enjoy a cruise around Lake Shinji on the Horikawa sightseeing boat or visit the Shimane Art Museum to see an impressive collection of works. Izumo Taisha
A large shrine that shares a deep connection with the ancient myths recounted in The Kojiki, Izumo Taisha is renowned for its shimenawa ropes – straw ropes resembling anacondas coiled around tree branches – which mark the boundary between the mortal and divine worlds. It’s also known as one of the matchmaking shrines, and many visitors come to pray for good luck in finding a partner. The presiding deity is Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the Shinto god of marriage.
The main worship hall is surrounded by the thickest shimenawa in Japan, which are said to represent the binding ties of the presiding deity and his or her followers. Inside is a gilded wood and gold-covered statue of Okuninushi, along with two sacred swords and a bell that is rung at special times to announce the beginning and end of marriage ceremonies. There are also several shimenawa that are said to symbolize the ties of family and ancestry, as well as the connections between the Izumo area and other parts of Japan and the world.
As with the other grand shrines in Japan, Izumo Taisha is rebuilt regularly every 60 years or so. The next rebuild is scheduled for 2017.
Izumo Taisha is a one hour train ride west from Matsue. It’s best to take the Ichibata train, and a one day pass that includes unlimited rides is only 1600 yen.
If you’re traveling from Tokyo, the fastest way to get to Izumo Taisha is by taking the Hikari Shinkansen to Okayama and then changing to a limited express train to Izumo. The journey takes roughly 5.5 hours and will cost around 21,000 yen one-way. Night highway buses operated by Willer Express and Ichibata Bus are also available. Adachi Museum of Art
Matsue is famous for its tea culture, and you’ll find excellent matcha tea served at many locations throughout the city. A delicious variety of handmade wagashi (Japanese sweets to be enjoyed with tea) can also be found in shops and restaurants.
Founded in 1970, the Adachi Museum of Art was the passion project of local businessman Zenko Adachi (1899-1990). He wanted to create a place where people could experience Japanese aesthetics through pottery, lacquerware and paintings and through expansive traditional gardens. He built the museum and its meticulously manicured gardens, which ranked first in 2022 on Sukiya Living Magazine: A Journal of Japanese Gardening’s list of “Japanese Gardens that are Immaculately Beautiful.”
The museum features six different gardens covering an area of 165,000 square meters, each carefully groomed to suit the current season. A “Living Framed Painting” window inserted into the museum’s building offers a view of one of the gardens and gives visitors the opportunity to appreciate how the art changes in appearance as the seasons change.
In addition to the gardens, the museum houses an impressive collection of works by 19th century nihonga (Ri Ben Hua ; Japanese painting) artists including Yokoyama Taikan who revolutionized the techniques of traditional-style painting. The museum also hosts a range of temporary exhibits to celebrate different events or to showcase newer contemporary artists.
As you exit the museum, be sure to pass through the annex where the gallery has a shop that sells reproductions of the paintings and photos of the gardens. This will allow you to take a little bit of Matsue with you, so that you can continue experiencing the beauty of the art and the gardens at home.
Matsue City is located in southwestern Japan and is easily accessible by train and bus. It is a picturesque city known for its castle, the oldest in the country and nicknamed “Plover Castle,” and the home of writer Lafcadio Hearn, who introduced Japan to the West. The castle and its moats are open for sightseeing tours and the samurai residence district is also well worth exploring.