Travel / Tourism Spots in Matsue Area
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Shimane
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Shimane
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- Peony Garden Daikonshima-Honjin
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Yatsukachounyukou 441-1
- This is where visitors can enjoy viewing peony flowers and also see Tottori goldfish (Izumo nankin), known as swimming jewels and designated as a Natural Monument. The garden sells peony pot plants and Izumo nankin goldfish. Various other seasonal flowers can be enjoyed as well. The season for peonies is between mid-April to mid-May and between October and January.
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- Matsue Horikawa Local Beer Hall
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3.552 Reviews - Gourmet / Alcohol
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Kurodachou 509-1
- "This is a beer hall where you can enjoy a Matsue local beer called ""Beer Hearn"". Also, at the beer restaurant visitors can eat Shimane Wagyu Beef and Shinjiko Shicchin, seven types of seafoods that can be found in the Seto Inland Sea. You can also enjoy five types of local beers at the beer counter overlooking the souvenir corner and the beer factory. It is a convenient facility that is walking distance from the Matsue Castle and Shiomi Nawate tourist site lined with traditional Japanese houses. "
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5 minutes walking from the castle, a nice place where you can drink excellent draft beer, tables outside. a free shuttle drives you back in the city center
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- Daikon Island
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Yatsukachouhanyu
- "This is an island that is famous for blooming peony during the end of April and the beginning of May. There are many places to see on this island. One of them is ""Otsukayama Park"", created at Japan's lowest volcano of 42.2 meters in height. Also, on a fine day visitors can view ""Benten-jima Island "", spectacular in the morning sun, the Nakaumi Sea and Mt. Daisen as well as the ""peony garden"" and ""Daikon-jima Lava Tunnels, Cave of the Departed Souls"" designated as a National Natural Monument. Approximately 30 minutes by car from within Matsue City and Yonago City."
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- Kounkaku
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Tonomachi 1-59
- A structure built as a temporary residence for Emperor Meiji for a planned official visit completed in 1903. Located inside Matsue Jozan Park in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, the building is designated a Tangible Cultural Property by Shimane Prefecture. Although the Emperor’s tour was ultimately never implemented, the building was used to host Prince Yoshihito (later Emperor Taisho) as well as for a variety of other uses such as a reception hall for the city and as a venue for various exhibitions. The building was opened to the general public in 2015 after repairs were made to preserve its original appearance. The magnificent structure is adorned with a much ornamentation and carving both inside and out, and visitors can enjoy the superb blending of Japanese and Western influences incorporated into its design. There is a café on the first floor where you can take a relaxing break while soaking in the Meiji period atmosphere.
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- Shiomi Nawate Street
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Kitahorichou Around
- A 500 meter long street where the former residences of mid-ranking Edo period samurai stand located along the moat on the north side of Matsue Castle in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The street is a Matsue City Designated Traditional Beautiful Sight District. The area retains the most remnants of the city’s castle town history, including the former residence of Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn), the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, an old retreat once used by the seventh lord of Matsue Domain, and former samurai residences open to the general public. There are also magnificent old pine trees lining the street which are believed to have been growing here since the Edo period.
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- Shimane Prefectural Products and Tourist Center
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Tonomachi 191
- A tourist center located near to Matsue Castle, a National Treasure, in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The white walled building with tiled roof is inspired by the castle. In addition to providing sightseeing brochures on the prefecture and tourist information, the center also sells special products from Shimane such as Izumo soba, clams and other marine based processed products from Lake Shinji, and traditional crafts. There is a coffee shop that serves snacks such as curry and soba in the center making it a convenient place for a break between sightseeing. There is also the house of Shimanekko, the tourism mascot of Shimane Prefecture.
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- Karakoro Art Studio
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Tonomachi 43
- Located in Tono Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, the Karakoro Art Studio is an art and crafts center based on the themes of artisan and craft. The studio is housed within the former Matsue branch of the Bank of Japan which was built in the early Showa period. The large pillars in the entrance, retro chandeliers, and big doors of the underground vaults, etc. are still visible today. Inside the building are a range of shops which deal in a variety of works, such as glassware, silverwork, ceramics, and agate. There are also a variety of things visitors can have a go at such as making sweets unique to the tea ceremony, and making accessories, etc.
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- Gesshoji Temple
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Sotonakabarachou 179
- This Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism temple is located in Sotonakabara Town in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and it is the family temple of the Matsudaira family, the old leaders of the Matsue clan. The graves of the first through ninth generations of the clan leaders are on the temple grounds, and it has been designated as a National Historic Site. The seventh leader, Matsudaira Fumai was famous as a tea master, and his mausoleum gate is said to have been made by famous artisan Jodei Kobayashi. The grape latticework is spectacular. The sixth leader Munenobu’s Juzo-hi (tombstone set up prior to one’s death) that rests atop a big stone turtle statue appears in the writings of famous writer Yakumo Koizumi (Patrick Lafcadio Hearn), and legends say the big turtle wandered the streets of the castle town after dark. Around mid-June, the hydrangeas bloom, which attract many visitors and have earned the temple the nickname “hydrangea temple in the mountain shade.”
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- En-musubi Yaegaki Yae
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Sakusachou 220-6
- You’ll find this souvenir shop next to Yaegaki Shrine, famous as the shrine of marriage. There’s a restaurant as well. The shop offers “mizuhiki” (decorative Japanese cords made from twisted paper), natural stone accessories, “goshuin-cho” (booklets for collecting red seals from sacred spots), Japanese arts and crafts, sweets, and other items related to Yaegaki Shrine and the legends of Izumo. “Power stones” purified in this sacred spot known for bringing good luck to lovers make a popular gift. The restaurant serves handmade soba created with Izumo ingredients as well as hash and rice, udon noodles, and more. Take the bus from Matsue Station and get off at the Yaegaki Shrine stop.
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- Matsue Lakeline Bus
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Asahimachi 472-2
- This is an excursion bus leaving bus stop No. 7 at JR Matsue Station at 20-30 minute intervals. It runs a course around the sightseeing spots of Matsue City in approximately 50 minutes. There are two routes, the Lake Line Route and Sunset Course depending on the time. Both routes include sights such as Matsue Castle designated as a National Treasure, and Shiomi Nawate, Matsueshinjiko-onsen Station, Shinji-ko-ohashi Bridge, Shimane Art Museum, and the Lake Shinji Pleasure Boat pier. One day and two day tickets, convenient for sightseeing, are also available.
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- Lake Shinji Rabbits
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Sodeshichou 1-5
- There are outdoor sculptures imitating 12 rabbits on the lawn in front of Shimane Art Museum on the shores of Lake Shinji. It is said that happiness will come if you touch the second rabbit counting from the lake facing west. It is gaining popularity as a marriage spot, which seems to be more effective if you make an offering of freshwater clams which are a specialty of Lake Shinji.
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- Iya-jinja Shrine
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Higashizumochouiya 2229
- This is a shrine located in Iya, Higashiizumo Town, Matsue City. Izanami-no-mikoto, the wife of Izanagi-no-mikoto is enshrined here. It is a historical shrine that has been described in Izumo Nation Fudoki and Nihon Shoki, and was also involved in the creation of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. It is near the entrance of the underworld Yomotsu Hirasaka appearing in Japanese mythology, so is regarded as a shrine deeply related to Hades.
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- Matsue Jinja
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Matsue-shi Tonomachi 1 (Matsuejo Yamauchi)
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- Magatama-bashi Bridge
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Matsue-shi Tamayucho Tamatsukuri
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- Yasugi Tourist Mikan Orchard
- Leisure / Hobbies
- Shimane Yasugi-shi Enoshimacho 12-1
- A mandarin orange orchard catering to tourists and certified by the prefectural governor, a first in the San'in region. The growers are dedicated to building the soil for the succulent mandarin oranges on this land buffeted by the breeze off of Lake Nakaumi. The orchard operates from mid-October to early December. They grow five varieties of oranges, each with unique characteristics; these include Nichinan Ichigo, a very early variety developed in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Yurawase, which is deeply flavorful and super juicy. The orchard is on level ground, making picking the mandarins easy for everyone from kids to seniors.
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- Yomekoi Kannon and Mukokoi Jizo
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Yasugi-shi Hirosecho Okutawara
- A spot for happy couples about an hour's drive from Yasugi Interchange where statues thought to bestow matrimony stand at the roadside in a lush natural setting. Tradition says you can pray at the Kannon statue to find a bride and at the Jizo statue for a groom. For best results, it's said to first visit the Kannon and Jizo statues, then cross Yomekoi and Mukokoi Bridge spanning the Yamasa River and pray again at that spot.
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- Hirose Gasuri Center
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Yasugi-shi Hirosecho Machicho 775-1
- A museum that's part of Roadside Station Hirose Tomita Castle. With its many looms, the museum passes on Hirose-cho, Yasugi City's traditional weaving and dyeing craft to the present day. Known as Hirose Gasuri, the weaving tradition was developed in 1824. The fabric features large patterns combining motifs and geometric designs. With a simple, natural feel made with indigo dye, it's carefully woven to make it extremely sturdy. Hirose Gasuri is one of the San'in region's leading kasuri fabrics, along with the Yumigahama area's Yumihama gasuri and Kurayoshi City's Kurayoshi gasuri. It's also been designated a Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property. Indigo dyeing workshops are available with advance reservation.
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- Ancient Izumo King Tombs Hill
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Yasugi-shi Arashimacho 1965
- The area around Arashima Station overlooking Lake Nakaumi has a concentration of tombs built between the Yayoi and Kofun periods. Ancient Izumo King Tombs Hill consists of four parks, including the burial mounds at Chusenji, Miyayama, and Shiotsuyama, as well as the main Tsukuriyama Burial Mound group, one of the largest in the nation. Tombs in the park are all open to public viewing. There are royal tombs from the Yayoi period at Chusenji Park and Miyayama Park and four mounds like a flat-topped burial mound and conjoined rectangular mounds at Tsukuriyama Park. Excavations here showed the tombs in eastern Izumo were four-cornered. Today the site is known as a local recreation spot.
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- Matsue Ohashi Bridge
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Matsue-shi Shiro
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- Tamayu River Hime-zakura Cherry Trees
- Travel / Tourism
- Shimane Matsue-shi Tamayucho
Shimane Areas
What Shimane prefecture lacks in size and population, it makes up for in scenery and ancient mythology. Izumo-taisha, in the middle of the prefecture, is said to be Japan’s oldest Shinto shrine, where stories that delve into the creation of the Japanese race have been passed down over centuries. The 180 Oki Islands, a 40-minute ferry ride north of Sakaiminato, offer an undiscovered paradise well off the beaten track.
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