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49Matsue City, with a population of about 206,000, located in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture, is the seat of the prefectural government and serves as the political, economic and cultural center of the region.Since Matsue Castle was built in 1611, Matsue has enjoyed prosperity as a castle town. Even today, you can still see many structures and moats remaining just as they used to be, including Matsue Castle, which was designated as a National Treasure in 2015, the Samurai Houses and the waterways running through the city.In 1951, the city was designated as an “International Cultural and Sightseeing City”, together with Kyoto and Nara, and has attracted many tourists from abroad as well as from various parts of Japan.Sunset over Lake ShinjiIt is a beautiful city, well-known from ancient times as the “city of water”, with the large lakes of “Lake Nakaumi” and “Lake Shinji” respectively on the eastern and the western borders of the city. This region, which is traditionally called the “Province of Izumo”, was one of the most prosperous cultural centers in ancient Japan, with its local government established in Matsue as far back as the sixth century. Many relics of the old town have been found in and around the city.Horikawa Sightseeing BoatIzumo City is located 40 kilometers west of Matsue, and can be reached in an hour by car, or in 40 minutes by rail. The Izumo region is surrounded by a natural landscape, including “Lake Shinji” and the extensive Izumo plains, and is well known as a tourist area. Izumo City has become a core center in Shimane Prefecture, and its population of about 171,000 ranks second only to Matsue City.Izumo has been known as “The Land of the Gods” since ancient times, and is famous for the legends of the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and the eight-headed serpent (Yamata no Orochi). It is said that for one month, in the 10th month of the lunar calendar, the rest of Japan becomes the “Land Without Gods”, because all of Gods come home to Izumo. The discovery of many ancient burial mounds and monuments throughout the Izumo district confirms that an advanced culture was well-established here centuries ago.As many places in Japan, four seasons are very clear and each has characteristic beauties. You may be overwhelmed by the traditional and natural riches we have in our sacred region.Matsue CastleIzumo Taisha Grand ShrineBrief Introduction to Matsue City and Izumo City