Matsue Castle, Izumo Grand Shrine, and Two Japanese Gardens

Constructed over a period of 5 years from 1607 to 1611 by Yoshiharu Horio, a feudal lord and founder of Matsue. Currently it is one of the only 12 remaining original castles in Japan and the only one in the San’in region. It was designated National Treasure in 2015. The elegance of the castle’s swooping roofs and decor is often compared to the wings of a ‘chidori’ (plover bird) which has led to the castle’s nickname,’Chidori-jo’ (Plover Castle). The castle features an architectural design specifically chosen for battle, but retains a grand majestic appearance.

Lining Matsue Castle’s northern moat, Shiomi Nawate Street is a designated Cultural Preservation Area. Along this street you will find the Former Samurai Residence (Bukeyashiki), the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and his former residence, the Tanabe Museum of Art, showcasing tea utensils once belonging to Feudal Lord Matsudaira Fumai, and the Meimei-an Tea House.

This small passenger boat will take you through the history, nature and people of Matsue. The moats surrounding Matsue Castle (National Treasure) remain unchanged from when it was first constructed over 400 years ago. This 50 min sightseeing boat guides you along the moats through the historical Japanesescape of the castle Matsue, the places related to Lafcadio Hearn, forests which have been there 400 years since the construction of the castle, charming changes of seasons and the beauty of moats itself.

Karakoro Art Studio is located in a historical building that sits alongside a canal in the castle of Matsue. It is an integrated manufacturing and retailing craft gallery with an artisan theme. The central square contains a wishing well, a pink post box, and heart-shaped votive picture tablets. The pink post box is popular for reportedly attracting good fortune. The studio also holds events in each season, including the Umbrella Sky event in the rainy season, when the ceiling of the square is completely covered with colorful umbrellas. In addition to workshop classrooms and artists’ brand shops selling spiritual stones, silver, glass, ceramics, recycled cloth, woodwork, and other accessory items, the building also has abundant food options, including cafes and restaurants. With a complete lineup of classrooms, galleries, shops and other facilities, Karakoro Art Studio is a place where you can revel in Japanese handicrafts.

A Japanese style cafe inside the building of Matsue History Museum that provides a view of the Izumo-styled Japanese garden and Matsue Castle. Visitors can watch a wagashi master craftsman create the beautiful confectionaries. Enjoy the tastes of green tea (matcha) with delicate original wagashi confectionaries that change with the season.

One of the oldest onsens in Japan, Tamatsukuri Onsen has a history dating back to at least 733 AD, where it was introduced as “The Bath of The Gods” in the Ancient Chronicles of Izumo. You can stay at any of the 22 traditional Japanese inns that lie the banks of the Tamayu River, which runs through the heart of this picturesque onsen, or if you prefer, there are luxury hotels available which can accommodate up to 700 guests.

Dedicated to the Shinto god of “en” (the ties that binds us together) Okuninushi-no-Okami, Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine is one of the oldest and most venerated shrines in Japan. The main hall is constructed in the “taisha-zukuri” style, Japan’s oldest form of shrine architecture, and has been designated as a National Treasure. Each year during the 10th month of the Lunar calendar the gods from throughout Japan congregate at Izumo Taisha for their annual meeting. Only in Izumo is this month known as “The Month With Gods.” The “shimenawa” (sacred straw rope) that hang at Kagura-den Hall in one of the largest in Japan, weighing an impressive 5 tons.

Located on the coast to the west of Izumo Taisha, Inasa Beach is a spiritual spot with a mythical connection. There is a small island known as Benten-jima, and a small shrine sits upon this rock. The white sandy beach forms a long and beautiful arc, and it has even been selected as one of Japan’s 100 great beaches. The view of the evening sun sinking behind the silhouette of Benten-jima is stunning, and as a symbol of “Izumo, sacred place of the setting sun,” it is even registered as a Japan Heritage Site. It is also the beach of the kamimukae-shinji ceremony held to welcome gods from throughout Japan. In addition, in summer, it is also popular as a swimming beach.

Located next to Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, this museum introduces the history and culture of ancient Izumo and Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. The collection includes the largest amount of ancient bronze swords and bronze bell-shaped vessels (National Treasures) which were excavated in tremendous scales from two sites in Izumo. It also houses the Uzubashira Pillar, a huge pillar found in the ruins of the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, and a 1/10 scale model of the main hall of ancient Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine that was said to be as high as 48m.

Fitting for its location at the front entrance of Izumo Taisha, the station building of the former Taisha Station is a wooden, single-storied building in the classical Japanese style. The building’s Japanese-style design elements are conspicuous, including a central roof section that features ornamental ridge-end tiles at both ends, and gegyo (lit. “hanging fish”) gable pendants that are attached to the roof’s gable sections. In addition, the roof tiles used at the ends of the roof’s descending ridges recall various movements of a turtle. In this and other ways, there are design elements throughout the station building that are thought to show the influence of Chuta Ito, a pioneer in the field of architecture. This station was completed in 1912 and remodeled in 1924. It was designated an Important Cultural Asset in 2004.

Conveying the harmonized beauty of Japanese paintings and Japanese Gardens is the aim and wish of Adachi Museum of Art, which is best known for having one of the greatest collections of modern to contemporary Japanese arts. Such works of art include numerous masterpieces by the great Japanese painter Yokoyama Taikan, ceramics and 165,000 square-metre Japanese gardens. This museum is listed as a three-star site in the Michelin Green Guide Japan while Adachi’s spectacular and immaculately maintained Japanese Garden have been ranked at No.1 in a row since 2003 by Sukiya Living Magazine : The Journal of Japanese Gardening. You can appreciate the splendid beauty of their gardens which show a different appearance as time / days / months / seasons change.