Matsue

Matsue is located in the western part of Honshu Island, on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan in the Chugoku region . Refers to Izumo Prefectural Administrative Region

Near the city is Lake Shinji , Japan's seventh largest freshwater lake. The lake is connected to the Sea of ​​Japan by Lake Nakaumi, through which a significant amount of sea water enters Lake Shinji. Owing to this, a rare mollusk korbikura (yap. Shijimi) lives in Lake Shinji, which is the subject of fishing by local fishermen and one of the delicious "sights" of Shimane Prefecture.

In Matsue, a system of old chamfer canals that divide the city into districts is still preserved, which is why it is often called the "city on the water" or the "water capital". Tourist boats sail along the canal, and boaters sing traditional Japanese songs for passengers, which is why Matsue is often called "Japanese Venice." Matsue is also a port city.

The main attraction of the city is Matsue Castle , one of the oldest surviving medieval castles in Japan. This is one of 12 Japanese castles that have retained their original appearance and have not undergone destruction or rebuilding. The castle was built in 1611, it is painted black, so it is called the "black castle". In addition, the curved roof of the castle is similar to the wingspan of a plover, therefore it is also called the “plover lock” (Japanese Tidori-jo). It is surrounded by numerous canals and an old park. The park has a history museum, which was originally built as a guest residence for Emperor Meiji. However, the emperor’s plans changed, so he never visited Matsue, and the European-style building was given over to the museum. The castle was enthusiastically described in its works by the Irish writer and journalist Lafkadio Hörn (the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo), who lived in the city for about a year. The park around the castle is replete with lawns, which in the days of sakura blossom are a favorite vacation spot for citizens. When sakura trees are blooming in the park on the lawns, flooring is spread and picnics are organized with sake and haiku poetry. And in the autumn, in a large meadow in front of the castle, an exhibition-contest of chrysanthemums is held. In April, a parade of samurai musya-goeretsu parades along the main street of the year, and in October, a parade of goderetu is held - both parades complete their procession under the walls of Matsue Castle.

Not far from the castle is Siomi Nawate Samurai Quarter with several surviving residences of Buke Yashiki samurai, tea houses and landscaped gardens.

You can also visit the Matsue Historical Museum and the Lafcadio Hearn House .

On the shore of Lake Shinji, the Shimane Prefectural Museum of Art is located, from the platform of which there is a beautiful view of the sunset - the sun sets right on the lake, illuminating with pink rays curved black pine trees on a small island near the shore. The museum provides daily weather and sunset information, so you can often see a huge number of photography enthusiasts catching successful shots.

In 20 minutes drive from the city center is the Vogel flower and bird park. In 10 minutes drive from the center is an English garden.

Weather permitting, you can see Daisen Mountain from Matsue in the neighboring Tottori Prefecture.

Matsue is famous for its tea culture and bears the title of the tea capital of Japan along with Kyoto and Kanazawa. The seventh governor of the principality of Matsue, the feudal Matsudaira Harusato (Fumai-ko) was fond of the sado tea ceremony, studied Zen Buddhism and founded the direction of the Fumai-ryu tea ceremony. Together with the development of the production of matcha green powder tea, the art of pottery craftsmanship (the production of cups and other tea utensils) and the art of making traditional Japanese wagashi tea sweets flourished .

The economy of the city consists of the production of consumer goods, as well as fishing. There are factories for the production of electronics.

• Shimane State University in Matsue （島 根 大学）

• car traffic
• railway jr
• Itibata Denshia Railway, from Matsue to Izumo.
• port of matsue
• Izumo En Mousubi Airport

•   New Orleans , USA
•   Dublin , Ireland
•   Hangzhou , China
•   Jinju , South Korea

•   Wikimedia Commons has Matsue- related media files
• Matsue travel guide at Wikiguide
• Official site (Japanese)
• Matsue Tourism Official Page
• Matsue in Japan's Travel Guide