Matsue Castle / Lake Shinji trail

Matsue (松江市, Matsue-shi) is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu.Matsue has an estimated population of 205,402 (2017) following the merger with Higashiizumo from Yatsuka District. Matsue is located at the northernmost point of Shimane Prefecture, between Lake Shinji and Nakaumi on the banks of the Ohashi River connecting the two lakes, though the city proper reaches the Sea of Japan coast.

Matsue Castle (松江城, Matsue-jō) is a feudal castle in Matsue in Shimane prefecture, Japan. Nicknamed the "black castle" or "plover castle", it is one of the few remaining medieval castles in Japan – at least of the few remaining in their original wooden form, and not a modern reconstruction in concrete.

The Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum (小泉八雲記念館, Koizumi Yakumo Kinenkan) is a writer's house museum established in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 1933. Lafcadio Hearn lived in Matsue from August 1890 to November 1891, and the museum was built next to his former residence, itself designated an Historic Site in 1940.

Meimei-an (明々庵) is a tea house originally constructed in 1779 by Lord Matsudaira Harusato, daimyō of the Matsue clan at that time. It is located just off Shiomi-nawate street, Matsue, Shimane. Full Address: Akayama, Kitabori-cho, Matsue City, Shimane PrefectureMeimei-an was designed in the style of the Fumai-ko school of tea ceremony (茶道), which was created by the seventh Lord of the Matsudaira to rule from Matsue.

The Shimane Art Museum (島根県立美術館, Shimane kenritsu bijutsukan) opened in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 1999. Designed by Kiyonori Kikutake and with a total floor area of 12,500 square metres, it houses a collection of Japanese and Western art, including Momoyama folding screens and paintings by Corot, Sisley, Monet, and Gauguin.

Yatsuka (八束郡, Yatsuka-gun) was a district located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 59,733 and a density of 169.95 persons per km². The total area was 351.47 km².Yatsuka District is notable for being the birthplace of sumo wrestler Jinmaku, the 12th Yokozuna in 1829.

The Tanabe Art Museum (田部美術館, Tanabe Bijutsukan) was established in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 1979. Designed by Kiyonori Kikutake and with a total floor area of 854 sqm, it houses a collection of tea ceremony implements and other treasures acquired by the local Tanabe clan.