Matsue, Izumo, & Yasugi Trip

Adachi Art Museum Japanese Garden

Day 1

We got to Shirakata Park in the evening, it's a great spot to see the sunset. There are also two jizo statues: the larger one is called Sodeshi jizo and the smaller one is Sekkai jizo. They were built to pray for lives lost in rough waters. In the background of our selfie below is Yomeha Island. The tiny island has a temple and torii dedicated to the Benten deity.

 

Day 2

On our way to Kounkaku Guesthouse, we made an impromptu stop at Mefu Shrine. It was not planned but we're glad we stopped by. We met a kind Japanese man who led us around the shrine. Our planned stop was Kounkaku Guesthouse. It was built in 1903 with a more Western-style to it. Next, was a stop to Matsue Castle, gotta get all the stamps for our Top 100 Castles book! Then we went to Bukeyashiki, a former samurai residence that you could walk around and see displays of what the residence might have looked like back in the day.

We wrapped up the day with the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum. Lafcadio was an Irish writer who traveled a lot and eventually lived in Matsue with his wife and family. Some of his many writings are In Ghostly Japan, Kokoro, and The Romance of the Milky Way and Other Studies and Stories. Unfortunately, you can't take any pictures in the museum, but it was very well-done and we recommend visiting it.

 

Day 3 Izumo day

We took a day trip to Izumo and at Izumo Station they have a display of the old Dehani Type 50 train car from the 1930s, which have all been retired. You could walk inside and take a look around or pretend to drive it. We ate at a restaurant that had a "Susanoo Ramen" which included a little blue kamaboko sword.

Izumo Taisha Grands Shrine was busy with people! There was even a line to get a goshuin stamp in our stamp book. There were also bunny statues throughout the area. I enjoyed seeing the pair behind the shrine. There were also food booths to choose from for some street snacks; we went with the classic taiyaki with adzuki red bean paste.

 

 

Day 4 Yasugi

Our second day trip was to Yasugi. It's quite a small town, but they have a free bus shuttle from the train station that takes you to the famous Adachi Art Museum. You aren't allowed to take pictures inside except for the areas with the garden.