Twice a year, spring/summer and autumn/winter, CIRs (Coordinators for International Relations) visit places throughout Shimane and write about their experiences in their bi-annual magazine Shimanean. The CIRs represent their different countries and through their articles offer their own perspective to unfamiliar cultural experiences.

The bi-annual magazine is also translated into Korean, Chinese, Portuguese and Russian. You can find them here → [link] or click on the languages below to read them in their respective languages.
*Japanese text version is also included w/ each article 

Each issue features 4 articles. Information on places and activities in the articles may have changed since the time of publication.

2026 Winter/Spring

TATARA

・This winter, I found myself thinking about using a letter opener
・Forged Beyond Iron: Tatara Ironmaking and the Legacy of the Tanabe Family
・Listening to the Echoes of History at Sugaya Tatara Takadono

[English]　[한국어]　[簡体字]　[português]　[русский]

2025 Summer/Autumn

The Secret to Beautiful Skin

・Sea Treasures for Beautiful Skin in Shimane
・Purify your skin and soul amidst nature’s healing forest
・From Nature and Tradition: A Lifestyle Inspired by Camellia Oil

[English]　[한국어]　[簡体字]　[português]　[русский]

2024 Summer/Autumn

Shimane’s Floral Symphony

・Student Life Embraced by Rich Nature
・Cultivating the 2,000-Year-Old Ancient Lotus: A Story of Steadfast Perseverance
・Hamabofu: The Hometown’s Coastal Guardian

[English]　[한국어]　[簡体字]　[português]　[русский]

2024 Winter/Spring

Artisinal Creations Infused with Wishes Vol. 85

・Infusing Wishes to Achieve Happiness through the three secrets of Mitsutori-Hitorgi
・Realising Wishes: Adding the Finishing Touch
・50 Years of Craftsmanship: The Creation of a Lion’s Head Infused with Wishes

[English]　[한국어]　[簡体字]　[português]　[русский]

2023 Winter/Spring

Walking with Guides Vol. 84

・Living History! A Samurai’s View of Matsue
・A Walk Through the Forest with a Guide ~Arifuku Moss Land~
・A Tatami Mat of Fossils at “Iwami Tatamigaura”

[English]　[한국어]　[簡体字]　[português]　[русский]

2022 Winter / Spring

A Handcrafted Experience in Matsue Vol. 83

・Enchanting Pottery
・Matsue’s Original Temari
・Experience “Izumo” Through Washi Paper Making
・A Hands-On Experience with “Yakumo-Nuri”

[English]　[한국어]　[簡体字]　[português]　[русский]