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A visit to Matsue’s English Garden in June
Matsue’s English garden, located on the north shore of Lake Shinji, is serviced by the Ichibata Rail line running from Shinji-ko Onsen Station. It is open all year round, and there is no entry fee, so...
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Nighttime walking…
While there are plenty of things to be seen and done in Matsue throughout the day around town, sometimes the humidity and heat can just wear you out. So what better way to have a look around AND keep...
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Foods to beat the summer heat!
While ice-cream and cool beverages may be ideal for cooling down when the temperatures soar, they don’t quite amount to a proper meal. That’s when chilled buckwheat noodles save the day ^-^ You can...
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Feeling hot?
If you were thinking that it feels hot today, there’s a good reason for that. Temperatures will continue to reach 34 degrees Celsius. The westerly winds help in keeping things cool, but the 60%+...
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Places to eat: Ramen-cho san!
If you’re a fan of ramen (noodles), or have yet to give them a try, you can’t go wrong with ‘Ramen-cho san’ (ラーメン長さん lit. Ramen Master Chef). This is a relatively small (but delicious!) ramen...
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Yesterday’s sunset, stepping out of my comfort-zone in shooting a familiar scene
A quick post today, to share the unexpected yet beautiful sunset over Lake Shinji yesterday. As yesterday was overcast and cloudy, I wasn’t expecting to be able to see much sun or colours for the...
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Got that summer feeling~
One of the very summer-ish things to do here in Japan, is to ‘play’ with ‘fireworks’. By play I mean light and wave around, and by fireworks, I mean sparklers and other small varieties of ‘fireworks’....
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Getting into the festival (matsuri) spirit!
Japan‘s summer festival are known for their lively and energetic processions, usually with a long tradition. There are many aspects of the Japanese festival that makes them attractive, one of such,...
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Eating at a Japanese matsuri
Festivals, or matsuri as they are known in Japanese, are the perfect opportunity for those adventurous eaters seeking something new and exciting. Most matsuri will have rows upon rows of stalls (yatai)...
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A recap over July’s sunsets
Time brings all things to pass -Aeschylus (Aiskhulos 524 BC – 455 BC) …July has come to an end. Here is a brief look back over the sunsets that have come to pass this month… …and wonder what will come...
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Folk Songs at Karakoro Art Studio(Aug.18th)
The mention of summertime in Japan to those who have lived or visited, will more than likely bring back memories of lively and colourful festival matched with the endless array of foods served up by...
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Cafe Lunch: May in the Countryside 五月の鄙(go-gatsu-no-hina)
A bakery with adjoining cafe, a natural and relaxed atmosphere, vegetarian with macrobiotic influences, if this sounds good to you, then you might want to try out Go-gatsu no hina五月の鄙 (roughly...
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Shimanekko Goods
“Yuru chara” is the nickname of the Yurui mascot characters that are adorable and loved by everyone. They resemble a Disney like character and get the attention, dedication and loyalty of the people...
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Blossoms braving the August heat
This year saw an unusually short rainy season, a quick peak in summer temperature, and we can only hope for the best for the rest of what looks like a long sweltering summer. But despite the...
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Thirty minutes of sparkling skies
“Originally used to ward off evil spirits, fireworks (花火, Hanabi) have a long history in Japan and are an integral part of Japanese summers. Hundreds of firework shows are held every year across the...
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Fireworks over a watery stage
Sunday (day two of Suigo-sai) fireworks kicked off with an extended succession of shots, filling the previously dark sky, creating a loud thunder and a rain of light. After thunderous start winding...
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Spot the Ninja!
It might be hot out, but if you visit the castle, the old building offers a naturally cool refuge. Whats more, while you might find the heat outside unbearable, you wont be the only one. A reenactment...
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Canteen dining à la japonaise
A canteen in Japanese is called a ‘shokudo-’ (食堂), and is a relatively common style of eating out, compared to countries where eating at a canteen might be associated with school lunches or workplace...
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Preserving rich nature while creating a beautiful city
“Preserving the abundant nature while creating a beautiful city” (“豊かな自然をまもり、美しい都市空間つくり”), this is the first of a list of aims laid out for Matsue City development plans. Every year the city makes a...
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Forest therapy in Iinan
Iinan is a small town located in Shimane Prefecture near the Hiroshima border, approx 1hr30min drive from Matsue City, or 1hr40min drive from Hiroshima. Hii and Kando Rivers begin near the town of...
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