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.
2024
Spring
Artisinal Creations Infused with Wishes Vol. 84
・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]
2021
Summer/Autumn
Sweet Shimane Vol. 82
・Raw Experience with Raw Honey
・A Healthy Habit! Why Not Try Some Amazake?
・Sweet Ice Cream at Izumo Norin High School
・Kiyomizu Yokan
[English] [한국어] [簡体字] [português] [русский]
2021
Winter/Spring
The Gifts of Lake Shinji and Nakaumi Vol. 81
・The Treasure of Lake Shinji- Yamato Shijimi
・An Experience of Nature- and an Aquarium with “Gogi”
・Strawberry Picking
・Swans of Shimane
[English] [한국어] [簡体字] [português] [русский]
2020
Summer/Autumn
Mt. Sanbe Vol. 80
・The Ancient Treasure that Mt. Sanbe Buried
・The Museum I Wanted to Visit as a Kid
・Health Tourism
・Having Fun at Mt. Sanbe
[English] [한국어] [簡体字] [português] [русский]
Winter/Spring
Momenkaido – Where Old Meets New Vol. 79
・Memories of Momenkaido
・Tastes of Tradition in Momenkaido
・Momenkaido Hereafter
・Umi Shrine: Meeting the Deity of Separation
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
2019
Summer/Autumn
Come to Masuda! Wasabi, Kagura, and Friendly Locals Vol. 78
・Masuda: One City, Many Journeys
・Michikawa Kagura
・Wasabi Cultivated by Nature
・The Charming Points of a Japanese Guesthouse
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
Winter/Spring
The Yama Kujira and a Lively Town Vol. 77
・The Mountain Whales of Misato
・“Through Yamakujira, the Community of a Widespread Area” – Creative Space of Hand-Stitched Wild Boar Leather Crafts at Aozora Craft
・A Bright Person in Misato Town
・Aozora Salon
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
2018
Summer/Autumn
Oki Islands Vol. 76
・Hassaku Bull Sumo
・Oki – A Seafood Lover’s Paradise
・On an Island, Surrounded by Stunning Views
・Where Time Stands Still, Kuniga Coastline
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
Winter/Spring
Shimane’s World Heritage Selection – 10 Years On Vol. 75
・A Blend of Tradition and Modernity in the Streets of Omori
・Welcome to Okubo Mabu Mineshaft: A Wild Adventure in the Historic Remains of Iwami Ginzan
・From the Town, a Taste of the World
・Finding the “Perfect” Onsen in Yunotsu
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
2017
Summer/Autumn
Bringing Shimane’s Traditional Crafts to the World Vol. 74
・Looking Through Traditions to a Clear Future Zap Glass Studio
・The Harmony of Tradition and Modernity The Birthplace of Kumiko and the Yoshihara Wood Workshop
・Hiromitsu Blacksmith Workshop: Flickering of Flames and Passion
・Sekishu Washi・A Powerful Tradition
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
Winter/Spring
What I Discovered Living in the Countryside of Shimane. Vol. 73
・The Place I Decided to Live From Now On
・New York and Shimane: Small Community, Big Heart
・Matsue is the Countryside?
・Did You Say The Countryside??
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
2016
Summer/Autumn
Creating Togethor: The people of Shimane engage in the Arts! Vol. 72
・A Stroke of the Brush, the Pouring of the Soul
・The Mysterious World of “Rice Paddy Art”
・The Ashibue Performance Group: Food for Connected Hearts
・Taiko and Community
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
Winter/Spring
Learning Experiences in Shimane Vol. 71
・Conveying the Simple Humanity in us All: The Yasugi-bushi and Dojo-sukui Experience
・The Izumo Soba Making Challenge Report!
・Experience Zen at Yasugi’s Kyomizudera Temple
・You Should Learn It! -The Unshuu Soroban-
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
2015
Summer/Autumn
Kimachi Stone – A Stone Inseparable from Life in Shimane Vol. 70
・Kimachi Stone Museum and the Stone that Lives with Nature
・Carving the Soul of the Kimachi Stone
・Kimachi Stone and Izumo-Nankin: Shimane’s Original Brand
・The Connection between Kimachi Stone and the Home
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
Winter/Spring
A Way To Enjoy Matsue Wear a kimono and take a stroll Vol. 69
・Japanese Beauty, Breadth of Mind -The Charm of Japanese Clothing-
・The Tea Culture of Matsue
・Kimono and Sweets: Experiencing Matsue’s Traditional Tastes
・The Round Dango are Art
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
2014
Summer/Autumn
My Favorite Color of Shimane Vol. 68
・‘Lake Shinji Sunset’ – A Stunning Sunset Spot
・Colours of the Earth
・Treasured Views of a Mountain Village
・The Riches of Lake Shinji
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
Winter/Spring
Washoku: The Traditional Food Culture of Shimane’s Citizens Vol. 67
・The Power of Humans & Nature Combined
・Appreciating The Craft & Beauty of Kamaboko Fish Cakes
・Chopsticks of Love
・Learning Tea Ceremony Culture
[English] [한국어] [簡体字]
2013
Summer/Autumn International Exchange Programs In Shimane Vol. 66
・Cultural Exchange in the Grass: A Japanese & North American Story
・The Road of Flowers ~Russia and Shimane~
・Youths Pouring Passions Into Their Dreams & Futures
・Give Me Wings – Youth Exchange Programs in Ningxia
・Protecting The Ocean – Coastal Cleanup Works
[English] [한국어] [簡体字
Winter/Spring The People Living in a World Heritage Town Vol. 65
・Learn History with an English Guide!
・Taking Pride in your Hometown: A Resident of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
・Why Not Try a Meal at an Old Samurai House
・Memories of History The Oil Lamps of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
2012
Summer/Autumn Culture Born from Water & Iron: Okuizumo Town Vol. 64
・Learning Traditional Japanese Ironwork: The Okuizumo Tatara & Katana Museum
・If You Are Fond of Japanese Swords…
・Harmony Between History, Culture and Nature at the Itohara Memorial Museum
・The Gourmet Food of Okuizumo