Hanamomo Peach Blossoms in the Closest Village to Heaven
A gorgeous natural tapestry of peach blossoms painted on the rice terraces of the “Closest Village to Heaven,” high in the hills of Ohnan.
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Shimane
Iwami Ginzan and Yunotsu Onsen, Revisited
I recently made a return visit to Iwami Ginzan, a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches beyond the remains
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Road tripping in Iwami: Temple in the sky, mountain whales, and demon heads
Dramatic coastlines, a temple in the sky, mountain whale ramen, and demon head pottery bring an Iwami road trip to
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Road tripping in Iwami: A night in Yunotsu Onsen
Yunotsu Onsen is a tiny hot spring village tucked behind a headland on the rugged Japan Sea coast. The headland
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Road Tripping in Iwami: Iwami Ginzan
I was recently invited on a two-day road trip to Iwami in Shimane Prefecture. Although I have visited Hamada and
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Over 10,000 dead fish found on Shimane shore
Local media have been reporting the discovery of thousands of dead fish on the the Nakaumi lagoon on the Japan Sea coast of Shimane Prefecture.
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5 great coffee shops in Matsue
Although best known for tea culture, Matsue also has a good coffee scene and its coffee shops range from stylishly modern to thoroughly retro.
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Matsue’s Surprising Kyomise District
If you are looking to get off the beaten track in Matsue, a good place to start is the Kyomise district that is sandwiched between the Ohashi and Kyobashi Rivers. It’s a great place to explore if you love digging around in old Japanese shops and rubbing shoulders with locals.
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Tea culture for all in Matsue
Matsue, the castle town on the Japan Sea coast in Shimane Prefecture, is a place where Japanese traditional culture is
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Let culture wash over you in Matsue
Matsue is one of Western Japan’s best kept secrets. The castle city on the edge of Lake Shinji near the
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