Castle Moat Sightseeing: Experiencing Matsue by Water
Shimane Prefecture's largest city, Matsue is a castle town known for its place in the myths and legends related to Japan's pantheon of gods. The town is located on the shore of Lake Shinji , the seventh-largest lake in Japan, with rivers and moats around the castle and the canals that link them all together. For these reasons, Matsue is known as the "City of Water" and cruising Matsue's waterways is another highlight. Sightseeing boats along Matsue’s many canals are a leisurely way to explore these once vital transportation routes and enjoy up-close views of the city’s history and culture.
Many of Matsue's attractions are near its remarkable castle—one of just 12 in the country with an original intact keep—. The surrounding area is packed with natural, cultural and historical sights. We recommend you spend a few days exploring. Shiomi Nawate Street, which runs alongside the northern moat of Matsue Castle, is a well-preserved samurai neighborhood with the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum nearby. The homes of middle-ranking samurai once lay behind the traditional walls and gatehouses lining. The highest-ranked samurai lived across the moat within the large castle grounds.
Matsue is also home to amazing samurai history, delicious food and a short hop from one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in the world – but when it comes to the average visitor’s plans, Matsue in Western Japan is still Japan's off the Beaten Path.
Many of Matsue's attractions are near its remarkable castle—one of just 12 in the country with an original intact keep—. The surrounding area is packed with natural, cultural and historical sights. We recommend you spend a few days exploring. Shiomi Nawate Street, which runs alongside the northern moat of Matsue Castle, is a well-preserved samurai neighborhood with the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum nearby. The homes of middle-ranking samurai once lay behind the traditional walls and gatehouses lining. The highest-ranked samurai lived across the moat within the large castle grounds.
Matsue is also home to amazing samurai history, delicious food and a short hop from one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in the world – but when it comes to the average visitor’s plans, Matsue in Western Japan is still Japan's off the Beaten Path.
