Shimane Prefecture
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Shimane prefecture (島根県 Shimane-ken) is in the western Chugoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu. It has the second smallest population of any prefecture in Japan.
Shimane Prefecture is in Chugoku and is part of the San'in area. San'in means "the shady side of the mountains". There is a mountain range separating Shimane and neighboring Tottori from Hiroshima and Okayama. That means that the weather here is much wetter than further to the south.
Cities
- Matsue (松江) - The prefectural capital, Matsue has an original castle. Most castles in Japan have been rebuilt in modern times. Lafcadio Hearn lived and wrote here.
- Izumo (出雲) - Site of Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's most famous shrines.
- Hamada (浜田) - Fishing port and recreation area.
- Tsuwano (津和野) - This is also called "Little Kyoto". Mori Ogai was born here.
- Masuda (益田) - The westernmost city in Shimane and long-time home of Sesshu, an important artist in Japanese history.
- Gotsu (江津) - A small industrial city between Hamada and Oda.
- Oda (大田) - Close to Iwami Ginzan and Mt. Sanbe.
- Yasugi - Site of the Adachi Art Museum.
Other locations
- Iwami Ginzan Silver Mines (石見銀山) - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Yunotsu - An old onsen town with architecture preserved from the 1920s
Other web pages
Shimane Prefecture: Introduction to Shimane [1]