Daikon-shima is an island in the Naka-umi Lagoon in eastern Matsue. It was formed 120,000 – 300,000 years ago from volcanic ash. The quality of the soil makes the island the perfect place for growing Korean ginseng and peonies, and their cultivation, which started on the island in the Edo period,  has grown into the island’s main [...]

Iwami Ginzan opened in 1526, and for around 400 years was an active mine. It flourished between 1500 and 1700, and was fought over by many rulers in the area. It came under strict control around the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. At one period, Japan produced a third of the world’s silver, and most [...]

It is said that Tamatsukuri hot spring was discovered 1300 years ago by the god Sukuna-hikona, who appears in Japanese mythology and accompanied Okuni-nushi around  Japan developing the land and industry. The hot spring appears in the ancient chronicles as “the water of the gods”. The sun god Amaterasu, had three sacred treasures, the sword, the mirror [...]

Kumano Taisha Shrine is located just south of central Matsue in the town of Yakumo. Since ancient times it has been known as the highest ranking shrine in the Izumo region. The main shrine is dedicated to Susano, and the other two shrines are dedicated to Inada-hime and Izanami. The shrines precinct is large and [...]

Jozan Inari Shrine was one of Lafcadio Hearn’s favourite places in Matsue. He would pass by the shrine every day on his way to the school where he was teaching, very often stopped to admire the thousands of kitsune statues that used to surround the shrine building. At the behest of the ruling clan of [...]

Senju-in Temple is famous for its 200 year drooping cherry blossm tree. The blossoms bloom fully for around three days and attract many visitors throughout the day and also into the night. The best time to visit is from the end of March to early April. The temple itself was originally located  in Yasugi, however [...]

Mihonoseki is a small fishing town on the eastern part of the Shimane Peninsula, and is home to the head shrine of all the Ebisu shrines in Japan. Further up the hill from the shrine and harbour is Mihonoseki Lighthouse, which is listed as one of the world’s top 100 historical lighthouses. On a clear [...]

    Matsue Urban Hotel is just a short walk from the north exit of Matsue Station. See their English website for details and reservations. (The Urban Hotel group also has another hotel located on the shores of Lake Shinji. See our New Urban Hotel page for details.) http://station.matsue-urban.co.jp/en/

Route Inn is in the centre of Matsue and is around a 15 minute walk from Matsue Station, Lake Shinji and Matsue Castle. It is very close to one of the rivers that the Horikawa sightseeing boat travels along, and just a short walk from the boarding point. Information Breakfast is free of charge. Admission [...]

The old Taisha Station was opened in 1912, and was closed in 1990. The present building was built in 1924, and is unusual in that it incorporates elements of shrine architecture into its design. It was designated as an important cultural property of Japan in 2004. Opening Times: 9:00am – 5:00pm Access: Turn left out [...]

Momen Kaido (Cotton Road) is located in Hirata, and is an old merchants’ quarter. Many sake distilleries and soy sauce makers that were established in the Edo Period remain, and many continue to work in the original buildings. The area was famous for its cotton, which, along with other products, was transported out to Osaka [...]

Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Railway is the nearest station to Izumo Taisha. It was built in 1930 in a Western style, and is now a designated cultural property of Japan. You can rent bicycles at the station, although cycling in the Izumo Taisha shrine grounds is prohibited. As you come out of the building, [...]