Matsue is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture, with a population of around 200,000, and there are many reasons for the visitor to travel to this remote part of Japan. Matsue has been called the birthplace of Japan and the water city. The birthplace of idea comes from the fact that part of Jap..
My trip to Izumo and Japan was tied completely to a personal matter. Not visiting as a tourist. Nor planning a leisurly trip. Just following a rather cold plan to concentrate solely on this thing I had to deal with; as it had significant importance to my future. However, you just can not plan a tri..
The little historic port town of Yunotsu, known for its hot springs and the nearby Iwami Silver Mines (both are World Heritage Sites), has several cafes, inns, and bathhouses in remodeled old buildings along its single winding lane. But memories of M..
Midori, one of the four cafés at the Adachi Museum of Art (video, more photos), is elegant and modern with views looking out at the Dry Landscape Garden as well as the White Gravel and Pine Garden through a glass wall. Soft classical music flo..
Whether driving to Yasugi City or through it, you owe it to yourself to stop by Cafe Rosso on Route 9. Cafe Rosso is proudly owned and cared for by world renowned Barista Hiroyuki Kadowaki, a local native of Yasugi. In 2005, Hiroyuki took 2..
Japan is known for its quirky metropolitan cities and the contrasting beauty of its idyllic countryside towns. Where the former is easily accessible, it is difficult for visitors to decide upon a location that will live up to the massive expectations..
The Oki Plaza Hotel is a tall building conveniently located in the Saigo Port a 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal. Standing proudly at a full 10 stories high it's the tallest building in the Oki archipelago. A walk around the local area takes..
The Oki Seaside Hotel Tsurumaru known to the locals as 'Tsurumaru' is an ocean front complex with its own yacht harbor. Nearly every room faces the ocean and the environment of the Oki Islands Geopark surrounds you in a tranquil mix of salty ..
Our second day in Shimane Prefecture was overflowing with activities. A couple minutes walk from the Matsue station is the Excel Hotel Tokyu, a very nice middle scale accommodation with an excellent buffet breakfast. The staff was very friendly and ..
Shimane is the second least populated prefecture in Japan, but is filled with many awesome attractions. After a very pleasant 80-minute early morning flight from Haneda to Yonago-Kitaro Airport, Miwa’s cousin rented a car and we drove to the E..
Located at the northern-most point of Shimane Prefecture in the Chugoku Region, Matsue City is a different world from other major cities found on the Southern coast of Japan. Despite its size and economy, being tucked away far north of the Okayama mo..
