Lake Shinji is a lake that spans the cities of Matsue, Izumo, and the town of Fuefuki in the Shimane Prefecture of the Chugoku region of Japan. It is 17 kilometers wide from east to west, 6 kilometers long from north to south, and has a circumference of 47 kilometers, making it the seventh largest lake in Japan. This lake is a brackish water lake, also known as a semi-saline lake, which refers to water bodies with a salt concentration between that of freshwater and seawater...
The Adachi Museum of Art is located in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, in the Chūgoku region of Japan. It was established based on the art collection amassed by Mr. Adachi Zenkō, a native of Yasugi. Founded in 1970, the museum spans a total area of 43,000 square meters. In addition to its valuable art collection, it is also world-renowned for its stunning Japanese...
Yuzui Garden is located in Yatsuka-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, in the Chugoku region of Japan. It is a renowned stroll-style Japanese garden, famous for its world-class peony pavilion and vibrant flowers that bloom year-round. As one of the most celebrated sightseeing spots in Shimane Prefecture, it attracts numerous visitors from across Japan and around the world every year. The…
Tsuwano Town is located in a basin within the Chugoku Mountains at the southwestern tip of Shimane Prefecture in the Chugoku region of Japan. Since ancient times, it has been known as the “Little Kyoto of San’in.” With a long history, the town flourished after the construction of a mountain castle by Kikkawa Motoharu during the Kamakura period, leaving behind numerous historical sites and becoming one of Shimane Prefecture’s most renowned tourist towns...
Izumo Taisha is located in Taisha-chō, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, covering an area of 27,000 square meters. It enshrines “Ōkuninushi-no-Kami,” a deity who appears in Izumo mythology from Japanese folklore. It was established before 660 BC, making it the oldest shrine in Japan as well as a highly revered ancient shrine. …
Nonoichi City is a city located in central Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. On November 11, 2011, it was elevated to city status due to its population exceeding 50,000. It is home to Kanazawa Institute of Technology and Ishikawa Prefectural University. Nonoichi is situated near the center of Ishikawa Prefecture, a completely flat area with no mountains or sea. Its northeastern part borders Kanazawa City,…
Odaiko Hall is located in Odetsudo-shita, Tsuzuki, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, in Japan’s northeastern region. It is a museum primarily dedicated to showcasing taiko drums from around the world, especially those traditionally used in the Tsuzuki area. The museum houses a drum made from a single piece of cowhide, which holds the Guinness World Record as the largest drum in the world — a sight that inspires awe and admiration for the craftsmanship behind it.
Yugawa Onsen is located at the foot of Mount Yakeyama near Hachimantai in Akita Prefecture in Japan’s northeastern region. Renowned worldwide for the acidity and flow rate of its waters as well as for producing Hokutolite, it is a true hot spring health resort. The onsen gushes out an impressive 150 liters of water per second at a temperature of 98 degrees Celsius, making it…
Hamada City is a city located in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. It was once the center of the Iwami Province and is now a major city in western Shimane Prefecture. Along with Yasugi City and Ota City, it is known as one of the "Iwami Sanden" (three Hamadas of Iwami), and is home to Shimane University. Hamada City is a major fishing hub in the San'in region, with multiple...
Matsue City is located on the eastern shore of Lake Shinji in the northern part of Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It serves as the prefectural capital of Shimane and is also the least populous prefectural capital in all of Japan. Since the main urban area is situated along both sides of the Ohashi River, which connects Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi, it is also known as the "City of Water." Additionally, it is famous for its Izumo culture. The lake and sky are dyed in breathtaking hues by the setting sun...
Oda City is located in Shimane Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. Together with Hamada City and Masuda City, it is known as the "Three Oda Cities of Iwami" and serves as a major urban center in the eastern part of Iwami. With its stunning natural scenery and numerous historical sites, the city has seen rapid development in tourism, making it one of the must-visit destinations in Japan. The Oda City mine, Iwami Ginzan, was Japan’s...
The Tottori Sand Dunes are sand dunes located along the Sea of Japan coast in Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, in the Chūgoku region of Japan. Stretching 16 kilometers from east to west and 2.4 kilometers from north to south, the tallest dunes feature drops of about 90 meters. They belong to the Special Protection Area of the San’in Kaigan National Park and are Japan’s largest sightseeing sand dunes. In 1955, the Japanese government designated them as…
Kokuseki Pond Park is located about 12 kilometers north of Akita City, the capital of Akita Prefecture in Japan's northeastern Tohoku region. It is a prefectural park that serves as a comprehensive facility integrating wetland conservation, leisure, and recreation. The park is designed entirely based on the characteristics of its location, combining the northern male pond (a saline-alkali area), female pond, and...
Chiyogasaki Park is a lush green park located in the city center of Akita, in Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region, on the site of the former Kubota Castle. During the Edo period, this was the residence of the Satake clan, the lords of the Akita Domain. The park still preserves many historical relics, including the Jiro Inari Shrine, the ruins of Kubota Castle, and the Satake Family History Museum...
Koan Gorge is located in Yuzawa City in the southern part of Akita Prefecture in Japan’s northeastern region. It is an approximately 8-kilometer-long valley formed by the erosion of Mount Koan by the violent flow of the Kase River, and attracts tourists from around the world with its breathtaking scenery. Koan Gorge is a precious gift bestowed upon Yuzawa by nature, showcasing the incredible power of the natural world at every turn...
Lake Tazawa is located in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, in the northeastern region of Japan. It covers an area of 25.8 square kilometers, with an average depth of 280.0 meters and a maximum depth of 423.4 meters. It is the deepest lake in Japan and the 17th deepest in the world. Due to its great depth, the lake water never freezes throughout the year, and...
Kakunodate is a town located in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, in the northeastern region of Japan. Covering a total area of 156.63 square kilometers, it is world-renowned for its well-preserved samurai residences and beautiful cherry blossoms, making it a globally celebrated tourist destination. The town still retains a strong atmosphere of the Edo period. It is divided into northern and southern sections by a firebreak zone located at its narrowest central part…
The Akita Dog Museum is located in Ōdate City, Akita Prefecture, in Japan's northeastern Tohoku region. It is a museum established by the "Akita Inu Preservation Society" to collect and display materials related to the Akita dog. The Akita dog is Japan's national dog and the only large-sized dog breed native to Japan. It was designated as a Natural Monument of Japan in 1931. Known for its balanced physique and straight back...
The Namahage Museum is located in Kitaura-Mashiyama area, Oga City, Akita Prefecture in northeastern Japan. It is a museum dedicated to introducing the customs and history of Oga through the theme of namahage. The Namahage Festival is a traditional folk event popular on the Oga Peninsula, where every New Year’s Eve…
Also known as Miidera, Onjoji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It serves as the head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect and is situated at Mount Nagara. Legend has it that the temple was founded in 686 by Prince Otomo Yota and is a historic site enshrining the Maitreya Buddha as its principal image. Since its establishment, Onjoji Temple has survived multiple wars and was burned down several times...