For International Visitors 10 Things to Know About Matsue, and Residents of Matsue City an International City of Culture and Tourism SAVE CRUISE Matsue City offers significant No trip to the City ofWater discounts to foreign residents and would be complete without a MATSUE CITY GUIDE visitors at several sightseeing pleasure boat trip around the castle facilities. See the list below. and within the city, or on Lake Shinji. NEWSLETTER Issue No.1 - 2013 January/February/March ENJOY TASTE RELAX Lake Shinji is one of the top Matsue is renowned for the Blessed with many hot springs spots in Japan for spectacular Seven Delicacies of Lake Shinji, (onsen), Matsue give the visitors sunsets. In the early morning, you such as Shijimi clams. The city also the chance to soak in mineral-rich can enjoy the scene of the Shijimi is also proud of its thriving traditional waters, or relax for free at friendly boats and fishers. It’s free! tea and confectionary culture. outdoor footbaths (ashiyu). Thanks for taking a copy of CREATE CONNECT FEEL Matsue is famous for its The shrines in Matsue and the Acastle town founded 400 the first Matsue City Guide traditional confectioneries and for surrounding area have close years ago, Matsue still offers an newsletter! Whether you are Magatama, magical comma-shaped connections with the mythological atmosphere reminiscent of Edo era just passing through or jewels. There are workshops around origins of Japan. The region is well- Japan. Don’t be surprised ifyou run reside in Matsue, we hope the city where you can try your known for En-musubi, a divine into samurai, ninja, rickshaws, and this will be a valuable hand at making them. matchmaking force. people in kimono. reference guide to help you LEARN GET AROUND enjoy your stay and indulge There are a lot of interpreters You can get around the city by in the legends. Enmusubi who can help you learn more using the convenient Lake Line Perfect Ticket about Matsue and its history. Bus, which runs every 20-30 Use trains and buses as much Matsue Castle The History Museum also provides minutes. Asingle ride is ¥200, a day Symbol of the city, as you want for three days! free English audio-guides. pass is ¥500. Bikes can also be "Plover Castle" Matsue Castle is nicknamed the Adult ¥3000, Children ¥1 500 because of its spanning roofs. rented around the station. For sale at local airports and newsletter logo also uses this cute bird in its design! Matsue Goodwill Guide Association (MGG) Our You can make an appointment with English-speaking Ichibata Travel volunteers to guide you around Matsue Castle. Please apply through the MGG Facebook Page. . a Sightseeing rikaw Bo Discounts for international visitors Ho at Glimpses of Matsue e Ca rai Resid i-an Tea H tsu stl u en me o a e m c i us a e e e M S M HORIKAWA SIGHTSEEING BOAT TICKETS CAN BE USED ALL DAY LONG AND AS MANY TIMES 50 0 AS YOU WANT.THERE ARE THREE BOARDING 50%OFF ¥1 50%OFF ¥20 's Form POINTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. earn er R earn Memoria H es H l M io id io u d e ad s a n c e c f u f c a FUREAI HIROBA m ÔTEMAE HIROBA e a L

L in northwest by Matsue Castle Photo : KOIZUMI Matsue 5 0 Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish man whose 0% ¥28 5 50 OFF e Voge 0%OFF ¥150 50%OFF ¥1 hoji Temp tsu l Pa n Japanese inji Pleasu name as a naturalized Japanese citi- ess le Ma rk ie G Sh re G sh ar e C u d k ru zen was Koizumi Yakumo, was an e a i KARAKORO HIROBA u s Y n L e by Kyomise English language teacher in Matsue, in 1890-1891. 33%OFF ¥800 50 250 30% F ¥10 5 300 30% 80 50%OFF ¥ OF glish Gard 0%OFF ¥ ne Art Mus OFF ¥9 History Mu ya Mem Over the course of his excursions En en ima eu ue se -en or h m ts u an ial S a m r H around the city, he collected material M o H a l The CIR team at work l for his book "Glimpes of Unfamiliar Japan," through which he introduced the local culture to the Western world. 0 0 s ) 5 25 Fre e! ( S 50 ¥50o n 0%OFF ¥ 5 00 p e c%i aOl EFxFh i biti 0%OFF ¥1 His former residence and the Shimane Art Museum is closed every Tuesday. Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum Matsue History Museum and the Horan-enya Memorial Hall are just north of Matsue Castle, on Matsue International Tourist Information Office are closed the 3rd Thursday ofevery month or the day after if Shiomi Nawate street. Tel: 0852-21-4034/4035 9:00-18:00 it is a national holiday. Open hours: 8:30~17:00 (Oct.-Mar.) Note that there is free admission to the Horan-enya Memorial if English brochures available in front of Matsue Station you have a ticket for the History Museum. It is thanks to Lafcadio Hearn's influence that Matsue continues to Matsue City Guide on Facebook: www.facebook.com/visitmatsue | Contact: [email protected] maintain close ties with the city of Edited by Matsue City Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs): Luc Pomarède, Bernice Dempsey, Brittany Partin Dublin, Ireland. Since 1890 CIR blogs: http://visitmatsue.wordpress.com http://madeinmatsue.com http://saninstory.wordpress.com Published by Matsue City International Division aalleennddaarr vveennttcc The World's Top Gardeners Irish Festival EE Marr..311 JJan..119 ~ Jan. 19 (Sat) ~ Mar. 31 (Sun) March 10 (Sun), 13:00 This winter, Yuushien Japanese Garden welcomes World's Top28 Gardeners As the first Japanese home of Irish Feb..11 ~ two famous garden designers, Nico Wissing writer Lafcadio Hearn (whose first na- MatsueDandan me was Patrick), Matsue is well known Food Festival (Netherlands) and Kazuyuki Ishihara, who have both MATSUE CITY GUIDE .2 ((Satt)) been awarded Gold Medals at the Chelsea Flower for its Irish parade. Come celebrate St. Feb.2 Patrick’s Day with two days of live mu- MatsueGhostTour Show and are renowned masters of Garden Design. NEWSLETTER 6 ((Satt)) sic and Guinness on tap at the local Feb..116 Matsue Ladies Half-Marathon In Winter, Yuushien is Irish pub in the Karakoro Art Studio Iwami Kaguratt)) Vault, “The Shamrock,” and watch the March 17 (Sun) eb..9 ((Sa known for its beautiful Registration ends: Feb. 15 Fe annual parade starting on the MatsueGhostTourSun)) peonies that are arr..110 ((S protected from snow by Horikawa Sightseeing Boats. The pa- The marathon will take place around M Matsue Castle and other parts of Irish Festival a small, delicate rade will include traditional Irish music 7 ((Sun)) and group Ceili dancing. northern Matsue all Sunday morning. Marr..11 thatched roof. Besides the women’s 21km main Ladies Half-Marathonl 115 event, there will be marathon sections ~ Aprriil Shamrock pub hours arr..23 ~ Open every day for 10km runners, 3.0km joggers, and Ma (in Karakoro Art Studio Vault) 8:30 ~ 1 7:30 for children. See the details on Castle Festival24 March 9 (Sat), 17:00 ~ 22:00 ..23 ~ 2 ¥1 000 www.matsue-ladies-half.com Marr March 10 (Sun), 15:00 ~ 21:00 CamelliaExhibition ue Castle Fes ellia Exhib Iwami Kagura Mats tival Cam ition in Matsue Feb. 16 (Sat)

Meet one of the most well- known Japanese monsters, the eight-headed serpent called Yamata-no-Orochi, which was defeated by the god of the seas, Susano-o. The Sano Kagura Troupe Mar..23 ~ Apr..1 5 March 23~24 Matsue Dandan Food Festival 3 ~ h 2 from Hamada City will Matsue Castle is one of the best places to Together with the peony, the camellia is one Feb. 1 (Fri) ~ Feb. 28 (Thu) present this Iwami Kagura view cherry blossoms, and while they are in of the flower symbols of Matsue. They will performance, which is well bloom there is a festival held on the castle soon be in full bloom, and at that time there Special events are going on at restaurants will be an informational exhibition on the Feb. 16: Shimane Civic Center known for its elaborate grounds. Besides flower viewing, there will around town throughout the month of Matsue Castle grounds. Experts will 13:00 and 17:30 costumes and masks. be other activities such as music and dance February, but the biggest events are the three showcase the camellia they have raised and ¥2000 (¥1800 presale) performances on stage, tea and sakura rice Sunday markets in various locations. Chefs will give advice to other gardeners. There will prepare lavish dishes and show off their cakes for sale. From 18:00 to 21:00 every will also be seedlings for sale. cooking ability. Get a ¥1000 sheet of tickets night, the cherry blossoms will be Matsue Ghost Tour worth ¥1100, which you can use at to try out a illuminated for nighttime viewing. March 23 (Sat): 10:00 ~ 16:30 variety of vendors’ hot cuisine. How about spending a Saturday night experiencing March 24 (Sun): 9:30 ~ 16:00 some of the local ghostly tales that Lafcadio Hearn Feb. 3 (Sun), 10:30~15:00 helped make famous? Enjoy Matsue’s nighttime ghostly Matsue Station (Don't miss the giant hot pot!) charm at places like the haunted well at Matsue Castle Feb. 10 (Sun), 11:00~15:00 and Gesshoji Temple, which is known for its menacing Kyomise, Karakobo Art Studio, Minamitonomachi Feb. 17 (Sun), 11:00~15:00 stone tortoise. There are two walking courses, including Tenjinmachi, Tatemachi a lecture and dinner with Lafcadio Hearn’s great- grandson, Professor Bon Koizumi. Jan. 5, Feb. 2, Matsue Photo Contest Mar. 9, Mar. 23, Calling all photographers! Participate in the photo contest and you Stay tuned with Apr. 20, Apr. 27, may have your photo, name, and website information printed in the Matsue City Guide on May 4, May 18. next issue or on our Facebook Page.Send your work to [email protected] www.facebook.com/visitmatsue More info on: matsue-tourism.or.jp/ghost-tour Coming soon Reservations: NPO Matsue Tourism ,WarriorParade(MushaGyoretsu) byMatsueCastle April 6 (Sat) ,Aofushigaki Ritual in Mihonoseki Harbour (0852-23-5470) April 7 (Sun) ,PeonyFestival on DaikonshimaIsland April 20 (Sat) Matsue Castleby Alaina Walls Nims in Autumn