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Kounkaku

A magnificent Meiji-era Western-style building in Matsue Jozan Park. Built as an accommodation for Emperor Meiji's visit, every detail is lavishly decorated. The contrast between pale green outer walls and white window frames is beautiful. Inside, luxurious furniture and documents are displayed. From the second-floor balcony, you can overlook the greenery around Matsue Castle, experiencing the Meiji "Enlightenment" atmosphere where a Western hall coexists with a Japanese castle. A calm cafe inside offers a leisurely tea time.

Shimane
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Shimane

Aoishidatami Street

A small alley from the Edo period connecting Miho Shrine to the port. It’s named for the blue glow of the stones when wet by rain. Once a bustling stop for Kitamaebune trading ships, the street remains lined with old soy sauce storehouses and inns. The sound of stepping on the stones and the distant music from the shrine evoke a mysterious nostalgia. These nostalgic scenes are perfect for photography, offering a deep, rustic atmosphere different from Matsue’s refined style.

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Shimane

Mihokan Main Building

A historic inn founded in 1905, designated as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Its heavy wooden architecture features an atrium-like hall, exquisite carvings, and antique furnishings. Once visited by literary masters, it’s like a "living history museum." At night, the illuminated interior creates a mystical atmosphere. It’s a precious space in the sacred town of Mihonoseki where you can firsthand experience Japanese architectural beauty and the essence of "Omotenashi."

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Shimane

Mihonoseki Lighthouse

A beautiful stone lighthouse standing on a cliff at the eastern tip of the Shimane Peninsula. Lighted in 1898, it’s among the "100 Historic Lighthouses of the World." The former lighthouse keeper's residence is now a French restaurant. The panorama of the deep blue Sea of Japan is breathtaking, offering views of the Oki Islands and Mt. Daisen on clear days. It's a perfect spot for travelers who want to enjoy the harmony of Meiji-era heritage and majestic nature.

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Shimane

Matsue Castle

Completed in 1611, this National Treasure is the only castle in San'in with its original keep. Known as "Chidori Castle" for its black-clad exterior, it features a rugged, powerful structure designed for actual combat. Inside, you can see 17th-century engineering like massive pillars and wells for sieges. The top floor offers views of Matsue and Lake Shinji. Touring the surrounding moats by boat allows you to enjoy the functional and artistic beauty of the fortress.

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Shimane

Izumo City

A sacred city home to Izumo Taisha, the symbol of the "Land of Mythology" where myriad gods gather. Beyond shrines, it features dynamic spots like "Hinomisaki Lighthouse" and "Inasa-no-hama Beach," where gods are said to have landed. The local "Izumo Soba" is famous for its powerful flavor. Walking through this city where myth and modern life melt together allows you to touch the roots of Japanese spiritual culture that values invisible "En" (fates).

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Tsuwano Town

Called the "Little Kyoto of San'in," this is a beautiful castle town in the mountains. Colorful koi fish swim in the moats lining the streets, and white-walled storehouses create a healing atmosphere. It condenses historical sights like the former clan school "Yorokan" and the red torii gates of "Taikodani Inari Shrine." With its poignant history at "Otome-toge" and a living Zen spirit, it’s a refined, nostalgic town where you can immerse yourself in silence while enjoying tea.

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Iwami Area

Located in the western part of Shimane, this area is centered around the World Heritage site Iwami Ginzan. It breathes a unique culture nurtured by the rough Sea of Japan and deep mountains. The representative art here is "Iwami Kagura," a traditional performance with luxurious costumes and rhythmic music that shakes the soul. With Iwami pottery and the Takatsu River, the clearest stream in Japan, it offers materials that stimulate all five senses. It is highly supported by travelers seeking "authentic regional life" and "real tradition."

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Shimane

Adachi Museum of Art

A world-recognized ultimate Japanese garden, selected as "No. 1 in Japan" for over 20 consecutive years by a US Japanese garden specialty magazine. The "Dry Landscape Garden" and "Moss Garden" spreading across the vast grounds are perfectly maintained without a single flaw. Viewing the gardens through the museum windows as if they were frames creates "living paintings" and "living hanging scrolls" of breathtaking beauty. The founder Adachi Zenko's belief that "the garden is also a picture" is brilliantly embodied. With an extensive collection of modern Japanese paintings including Yokoyama Taikan, this luxurious space where art and natural beauty unite is...

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Shimane

Iwami Ginzan

A UNESCO World Heritage site that was once one of the world's leading silver mines. It is highly evaluated for its "environmentally friendly" mining that coexisted with nature. The highlight is the "Ryugenji Mabu" mine shaft, where you can see hand-dug marks in the cool air. The Omori district, with its preserved magistrate's office and merchant houses, is perfect for a stroll. It is a place to satisfy intellectual curiosity and feel the silent Japanese aesthetic within history.

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Ametsuchi (Train)

A luxurious sightseeing train (Kiro 47 series) running in the San'in region, with the concept of "Traveling the Land of Mythology." The body color is a deep navy blue inspired by the Sea of Japan and Mt. Daisen. Inside, materials of Shimane's traditional crafts such as "Oki Pine," "Sekishu Tiles," and "Yasugi Kasuri" are used throughout, making it like a moving traditional craft museum. While running, you can enjoy the superb view of the Sea of Japan from the window along with bentos and sweets made from local ingredients. This special train journey allows you to experience San'in's history, culture,...

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Ichibata Electric Railway

A charming retro local railway connecting Matsue and Izumo. From the train window, you can slowly enjoy the panoramic view of beautiful Lake Shinji and idyllic rural scenery, making the journey itself a highlight of sightseeing. Its unique initiatives, such as retro carriages used as movie sets and bicycle-on-train services, are also attractive. Particularly, the "Dehani 50 series," one of Japan's oldest trains, is very popular with railway fans. Convenient for visiting Izumo Taisha, it is highly recommended for travelers who love "slow travel," reaching their destination while enjoying the daily life of Japan flowing past the window.

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Mt. Sanbe

A beautiful active volcano in Oda City with multiple peaks arranged in a ring. It features a gentle mountain shape and caters to everyone from beginners on hiking courses to serious climbers. At the foot of the mountain, a vast grassland called "Nishi-no-hara" spreads out, where you can enjoy picnics and cycling amid peaceful scenery with grazing cattle. Additionally, Sanbe Onsen is located nearby, perfect for healing fatigue after climbing. You can feel the energy of great nature throughout the year with beautiful autumn leaves and winter snowscapes. It is a place where you can experience both the unique terrain...

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Kobayashi Kobo

A workshop in Matsue City that produces Shimane's traditional crafts such as "Matsue Anesama Dolls" and simple, warm handmade toys. Each piece is carefully crafted using traditional techniques, showcasing the excellence of Japan's "meticulous handiwork." Dolls made with colorful Chiyogami paper and nostalgic wooden toys are very popular as Japanese souvenirs. You can observe the craftsmen's skills up close, and if the timing is right, you may even experience making them yourself. It is a precious place where you can touch the simple yet deep world of crafts, which can be called the roots of Japan's "kawaii" culture.

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Oni no Shitaburui

A steep V-shaped canyon located in Okuizumo Town. Huge rocks eroded by the torrential flow of the river create a dynamic landscape as if a "demon" (Oni) from a fairy tale had gone on a rampage. A promenade is developed along the canyon, and from the 45m-high giant suspension bridge, you can view the breathtaking scenery. The fresh green of spring and the autumn leaves are particularly superb, and the contrast between the sheer cliffs and vivid nature is spectacular. It is an ideal spot for active travelers who enjoy hiking and photography, where you can firsthand experience both the...

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Yaegaki Shrine

A sacred place for matchmaking, famous alongside Izumo Taisha. It is said to be the place where Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-hime held Japan's first wedding ceremony. The top attraction is the "Mirror Pond" located in the back of the precincts. The "Matchmaking Divination," where you place a coin on a piece of Japanese paper to float on the pond and divine the marriage by the time and place it sinks, is very popular with domestic and international travelers. The atmosphere of the pond surrounded by a quiet forest is very mystical, allowing you to feel the world of mythology firsthand. It...

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Nakaumi

A brackish water lake spanning Shimane and Tottori Prefectures, ranked as the 5th largest in Japan. It is connected to Lake Shinji, and beautiful islands like "Daikonshima Island," where Yushien Garden is located, float within it. It has a calm atmosphere more like an inland sea than a lake, and leisure activities such as cycling, driving, and yachting are popular. It is also known as an internationally important wetland visited by many migratory birds, attracting many birdwatchers. The view of the surrounding mountains reflected on the water surface is very serene, and the view from Eshima Ohashi Bridge, famous as...

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Mihonoseki

Located at the eastern tip of the Shimane Peninsula, this is a port town that has flourished around Miho Shrine, the head shrine of all "Ebisu-sama" shrines. The landscape of old inns and private houses standing in the narrow land between the sea and the mountains evokes a travel mood like a movie set. Walking along the "Aoishidatami Street," which retains traces of the Edo period, you can experience a mysterious feeling as if time has stopped, accompanied by the sounds of musical instruments from Miho Shrine heard from somewhere. In addition to fresh seafood, it offers beautiful sea-facing views...

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Fuu Shrine

A historic shrine enveloped in silence, located in the Tamayu area of Matsue City. It is an ancient shrine recorded in the "Izumo-no-kuni Fudoki" (Ancient Records of Izumo Province) and has protected this area since long ago. The wooden shrine buildings, in harmony with the surrounding lush green nature, may not have gaudy decorations, but they allow you to feel the inherent "simple beauty and majesty" of Japanese shrines. With few visitors, the precincts where you only hear birds chirping and the sound of the wind are ideal for quiet meditation away from the bustle of the city or for...

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Shimane

Tamatsukuriyu Shrine

A shrine located at the back of Tamatsukuri Onsen, famous for its "Washing Stone" which possesses mystical powers. There is a natural stone called the "Wishing Stone" that has been passed down in the precincts since ancient times, and it is said that your wish will come true by touching the "Fulfillment Stone" (received at the shrine office) to this wishing stone and praying. This mystical prayer experience is very popular with both domestic and international travelers, especially because you can create your own original lucky charm. Away from the bustle of the hot spring street, it is a place...

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Shimane

Tamatsukuri Onsen

A hot spring resort with a history that is among the oldest in Japan, recorded even in documents from the Nara period. The water here is famous as "water for beautiful skin," loved by travelers from all over the world who say their skin becomes moist after just one soak. Along the Tamayu River flowing through the center of the town, there are foot baths and the "Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine," a power spot that grants wishes, making it perfect for strolling in a yukata. It has a history of flourishing in the making of Magatama (comma-shaped beads), and Magatama ornaments like...

Shimane
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Hamada City

Located in western Shimane, this city possesses a beautiful sea and a lively fishing port. It is filled with markets and restaurants where you can taste fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan, especially high-end fish like "Nodoguro," attracting gourmets. In summer, many people gather at "Iwami Tatamigaura" and "Kokufu Beach," which are beautiful white sand beaches, to enjoy activities in the highly transparent sea. Also, the national traditional performing art "Iwami Kagura" is very active, and the opportunity to watch powerful dances and luxurious costumes up close is a great attraction. It is an energetic port town where...

Shimane
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Yasugi Kiyomizu-dera

A historic ancient temple said to have been founded in 587, widely worshiped as a temple for warding off evil. In the vast grounds, there is a three-storied pagoda, the only one in the San'in region, and its appearance in harmony with the surrounding deep forest is divine. Especially the interior of the pagoda is opened to the public during certain periods, allowing you to see the exquisite architectural techniques up close. It is also famous for "Shojin Ryori" (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), and the experience of tasting traditional Japanese Buddhist meals made with local vegetables and wild plants is very...

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Shimane

Lake Shinji

A beautiful lake spanning Matsue and Izumo cities, the 7th largest in Japan. It is a "brackish water lake" where fresh and salt water mix, and it is a treasure trove of rich ingredients called the "Seven Delicacies of Lake Shinji," including Shijimi clams. The greatest attraction is the "beauty of the sunset," selected as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan. The silhouette of Yomegashima Island floating on the lake and the sight of the sky turning madder red is a dramatic scene symbolizing Shimane, the land of mythology. You can refresh your mind and body while feeling...

Shimane
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