The Adachi Museum of Art was founded in 1980 by Adachi Zenko by creating a place where art and nature could coexist in harmony since his two passions were Japanese art and Japanese garden designs. Nowadays the Museum is one of the most important sightseeing spots in Matsue thanks to a vast collection of 1300 works of art among contemporary and modern Japanese paintings, ceramic works, pictures of children, wood carving and more. In particular, Adachi was amazed by the refined paintings of Yokoyama Taikan, one of the most relevant Japanese painters before WWII. Besides its works of art, the Adachi Museum is famous above all for its gardens which can be admired from the inside of the building only. They are divided into six sections, each one featuring a different landscape in order to enhancing the beauty of each season.

The construction of Matsue Castle started in 1607 and finished in 1611 by Horio Yoshiharu, the first feudal lord of the Matsue Domain during the early Edo Period. It is also nicknamed “black castle” for its black painted wooden panels. Together with Himeji Castle, Matsue Castle is one of just 12 original castles left in Japan. The castle is built atop a hill and surrounded by a moat and thick walls, moreover, thanks to its position, this is one of the best spots in Shimane for admiring cherry blossoms and for enjoying a breathtaking view of Shinji Lake as well as of the city. You can also visit the former residence of Lafcadio Hearn, a famous novelist who introduced internationally the Japanese culture in the Meiji Period. The residence is located in the Samurai District, north of the Castle.

Izumo Shrine is located in Izumo City, just one hour by train from Matsue. Izumo City is also known as the birthplace of Japan since it is area associated with ancient myths recorded in Japan`s oldest text such as Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihonshoki (The Chronicles of Japan).

It is thought to be the most ancient Shintoism Shrine in Japan since some documents proof its existence from 700, but the current structure dates back to 1744 in Taisha-tsukuri style, the authentic Japanese architectural style. The deity enshrined is Okuninushi no Okami, the deity of marriage as well as the creator of the land of Japan and the ruler of Izumo. One of the most famous annual ritual held in November at Izumo Grand Shrine is Kamiari Festival, here the myriad deities from throughout Japan gather and talk together in order to connect people with happiness.

Yasugi is a city in Shimane Prefecture that appears in many Japanese legends and Shinto religion`s stories. It is said that Izanami, Izanagi`s husband, was buried in the ancient land of Yasugi.

This city contributed to the development of what is now the Japanese traditional performing art. Yasugi-Bushi Dance is performed at Yasugi Performance Hall a Japanese folk song originating from Yasugi, which combines folk songs, dance and comical scenes. It was born 300 years ago, during the Edo Period (1603-1868), by absorbing various folks songs based on Izumo-Bushi and then it became very popular in Taisho (1912-1926) and early Showa period (1926-1989), especially in the cities of Tokyo and Osaka when the popular culture bloomed.