Shimane Hidden Gems
The mythological heart of Japan — where the gods are said to gather each autumn, alongside a silver-mining UNESCO site and a preserved castle.
7 spots
Climate & Best Season
Mild but wet, with grey winters and moderate snow inland. Best in spring, autumn, and during Kamiarizuki in November.
Famous For (Food)
- Izumo soba
- Shijimi clams
- Nodoguro
- Wari-go soba
Signature Sights
- Izumo Taisha
- Matsue Castle
- Iwami Ginzan (UNESCO)
- Adachi Museum garden
Matsue Castle — Original Black Castle National Treasure
Matsue Castle (松江城) is one of Japan's 12 surviving original castles, built in 1611 and never destroyed by war or fire. T…
Lake Shinji Sunset — Ranked Top 100 Sunsets in Japan
Lake Shinji (宍道湖) is Japan's seventh-largest lake, famous for its spectacular sunsets ranked among the nation's top 100.…
Horikawa Moat Boat Ride — Roofed Boat Through Castle Town
Horikawa Sightseeing Boat (堀川めぐり) navigates the 3.7km moat surrounding Matsue Castle, passing under 16 bridges (some ext…
Matsue Wagashi Sweets — Tea Culture Capital
Matsue is ranked among Japan's top wagashi (和菓子, traditional Japanese sweets) cities, with per-capita wagashi consumptio…
Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island
Yuushien Garden (由志園) is a Japanese stroll garden on Daikonshima Island featuring 10,000+ peony flowers in a 40,000 m² l…
Tamatsukuri Onsen — 1,300-Year Beauty Hot Spring
Tamatsukuri Onsen (玉造温泉) is a 1,300-year-old hot spring resort famous for beautifying waters rich in sulfate and chlorid…
Lafcadio Hearn Residence — Ghost Story Writer's Home
Lafcadio Hearn (小泉八雲, Koizumi Yakumo, 1850–1904) was a Greek-Irish writer who moved to Japan in 1890, married a samurai'…