Report of Ms. Pydde Julia (from Germany)

On March 2013, six international students from Waseda University in Tokyo went on a three days tour to Shimane Prefecture. Each of them chose and wrote a report about three favorite spots from the tour.

Horikawa Sightseeing Boat Tour

  There are many old castle towns in Japan, but what makes Matsue so unique is its water landscape. Lake Shinji and many small rivers and canals create a really beautiful scenery. Around the castle of Matsue you can still explore the moats with their numerous old bridges, every one with a special name and history. Therefore the best way to enjoy Matsue is to take the boat and join the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat Tour around the castle and through the city. There are three starting points for the boat tour. The main departure point is close to the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and the Samurai Residence (Buke Yashiki). The second arrival and departure point is close to the Karakoro Art Studio and the Kyomise shopping area with many restaurants and shops, and the third point is directly at Matsue Castle. With the ticket for this boat tour it is possible to go to any location several times on the same day. So it is a really convenient way to travel around. Before the boat sets of, the guide practises with the passengers how to duck, because the boat can lower its roof with a special engine in order to make the boat fit under the low bridges. This is a really exciting part of the boat tour. Every time when a low bridge comes in sight, the guide tells you to crouch down fast, so that he can lower the roof. The boats also come with heated tables and are really cozy. You need to take off your shoes, before you hop on the boat. The tour guides are very individual and different from each other.  Most of them can only speak Japanese, but that is no problem because they try their best to make each tour unique. Some of them sing old songs about Matsue or play some old music and they put much effort in explaining and showing every sight around the moats. During the tour you can enjoy the view of the nicely preserved buildings along the water and you can see many wild animals like big cormorants, different kind of ducks, herons, turtles, cicada and big dragonflies, depending on the season. The animals often come really close, so it is a great opportunity to take photos. In spring the boat tour is even better, because there are numerous cherry trees along the banks and the pink blossoms complete the picture of ancient Japan. If you ever visit Matsue city and have 50 minutes to spare, this boat tour is really a must-do to explore this beautiful place.

The Museum of Quilt Art

The Izumo Museum of Quilt Art is not just a museum – it is a special experience. Located in the beautiful landscape of the countryside of Izumo, you can really feel the ancient Japan. The buildings in the surroundings of the museum and also the museum itself are built in the special style of the Izumo area. In the museum you can learn about this typical architecture and experience it firsthand. The exhibition inside this old family residence includes the work of Ms. Mutsuko Yawatagaki, a famous Japanese quilt artist. The exhibitions change seasonally and everytime they present other quilts in new arrangements and installations. Every display is thoroughly presented in traditional Japanese style, using Ikebana, ancient pottery and many other artworks. The quilts themselves are made of antique kimono fabrics, some of them more then 200 years old. While taking the tour through the exhibition, which is also held in English, you can see the beautiful mountain landscape of Izumo through the windows.  Inside the museum you can enjoy Japanese green tea served with homemade traditional sweets in beautiful shapes, which change seasonally as well. After exploring the exhibition, the small museum shop is worth a visit. You can buy books or pamphlets about current or past exhibitions and it is also possible to buy handmade goods like wallets or other textiles made of ancient kimono. The Museum of Quilt Art is a bit far away from the main train stations, but a good way to go there is to take a taxi from JR Naoe station. It is really worth it to undertake this journey!