Matsue English Garden is located on the shores of Lake Shinji, and boasts over 500 species of plants. It was constructed in the traditional style of an English garden, and its full-time gardeners work throughout the year to maintain its beauty. The garden and neighbouring building has festivals, concerts and other events throughout the year. [...]

  Established 120 years ago, Kasuien Minami is located in the centre of the Tamatsukuri Hot Spring district in Matsue. The first floor has a large hot spring bath and a foot bath, and the ninth floor has a large outdoor bath from which you have stunning views of the town of Tamayu across to [...]

  Matengai Cliff At  257m this cliff boasts stunning views of the sea and the Oki Island coastline. Kuniga Shore　 This coastline is one of the more famous sights of Oki, and can be explored on land or from the sea. Tsutenkyou　 The “Bridge to Heaven” is best viewed from the rocky shore. Onimai Lookout Sunflowers cover this [...]

Sotohama Beach This sandy beach in Nishinoshima is a great place to enjoy swimming, water sports and sunbathing in the summer. Club Noah Oki/B&G Marine Sports Center Want to keep cool in the summer? Spend some time on or in the water! From here you can rent kayaks, canoes, yachts, wakeboards, banana boats, and snorkeling gear. You can also learn [...]

Beppu Area ● Mitsukejima-sou ● Hotel Oki ● Seikiya Ryokan ● Takenami Ryokan Mita Area ● Rizo Oki Rozaju ● Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru ● Ryokan Tsukamoto (The owners warmly welcome guests from overseas) ● Darumaya ● Sanrikimaru ● Daikichi ● Kojima Urago Area ● Kametani-sou (May – August) ● Kishimoto Ryokan ● Kakuyou ● Kaifukuya [...]

The stunning Oki Islands are located 40 to 80 kilometers north of the Shimane Prefecture coastline.  The Okis consist of four inhabited islands – Oki Dougo (the biggest island, Okinoshima Town) and Oki Douzen (three smaller islands – Nishinoshima Town, Ama Town and Chibu Village), as well as numerous uninhabited smaller islands. This volcanic rock island group is [...]

Tsuwano is a charming town located in the Western-most part of Shimane Prefecture. It is affectionately called ‘Little Kyoto’ due to its traditional and elegant atmosphere. Tsuwano is located in the westernmost part of Shimane Prefecture. It is a castle town, developed along the Tsuwano-gawa River and surrounded by nature, and is also called “Little [...]

Sodeshi is one of the Izumo region’s many traditional kilns. The kiln mainly produces items for use in everyday life, and the ceramics are finished in warm, natural colours. The staff are friendly and  welcoming, and the shop and kiln attracts many visitors, including those from overseas. You can draw your own design on a cup or plate etc. before it [...]

Oni no Shitaburui is a large valley located in the Oku-Izumo area of Shimane. It is a habitat for unusual plants and birds, and also the home to a few wild monkeys. The walking path takes you deep into the valley along the fast-flowing waters filled with enormous boulders, and through tree covered gorges which [...]

Meimei-an teahouse was built in 1779 by Matsudaira Fumai-ko, the lord who spread tea ceremony culture across the region. The teahouse has a garden with views of Matsue Castle, and serves tea and Japanese sweets. 9:00～16:00 Opening Days: Open all year round (except from Dec 29th – Jan 1st) Admission fee: 200 yen Admission and [...]

Hinomisaki Lighthouse Built in 1903, the lighthouse is the tallest in Japan, standing at 43.6 metres. For a small fee, visitors can climb the narrow spiral staircase to the 360 degree outdoor observation deck at the top. Opening times: 9:00 – 16:30 Closed on Dec. 30th, 31st, and from Feb. 4th – March 7th. Phone [...]

There are many Imai bookshops dotted around Shimane, with the largest being in Tawayama in south Matsue. The shop has a small selection of English books and Japanese language textbooks. It is part of a larger complex which includes a music/dvd shop, stationary shop and a nice relaxing cafe. Opening Times: 10:00am – midnight (open [...]