＜Shimane News Letter June 2026 Issue＞ Four Travel Stories Woven by Enishizuku, Exploring Matsue on a Rainy Day Loved by Akutagawa

The rain that falls in Matsue resets the heart and brings blessings of good fortune - Enishizuku (enishizuku). For those who want to escape the noise of daily life and find themselves again, we invite you on a journey where rain is the star. Feel the rain under your umbrella, taste wagashi and matcha, meet your fate at the shrine, and take home folk craftware. This is a special retreat where your five senses are nourished on a rainy day. We deliver the value of Matsue on a rainy day through four stories.

Four chapters of Enishizuku that soothe the heart

Chapter 1: Feel

30,000 hydrangeas swaying in the rain——

To the ancestral temple of the Matsue domain lords

Gesshoji Temple (Gesshoji)

● Highlights

The ancestral temple of the Matsudaira family. About 30,000 hydrangeas bloom in the rain, known as the "Hydrangea Temple of the San'in Region," along with the legend of the giant turtle, creating a moist and tranquil world.

● Connection with Akutagawa

The "Turtle Stone Statue (Juzouhi)" mentioned in Akutagawa's work ("Unknown Faces of Japan") still remains. It also appears in the opening and main scenes of the drama.

・ Rainy day points

Moss-covered stone pavement, hydrangeas deepening in color as they receive raindrops, and temples shrouded in mist - a scene that is completed only in the rain.

https://gesshoji-matsue.com/

Best viewed from mid-June to early July

A giant turtle that is said to have rampaged through the town every night

Crowdfunding for the restoration of the giant turtle statue is underway

Collection period: March 17, 2026 ~ June 15, 2026 (Mon)

https://readyfor.jp/projects/gesshoji2026

Chapter 2: Taste

While overlooking the national treasure Matsue Castle and the Japanese garden

Take a break with wagashi and Matsue tea

Kissa Kiharu

● Highlights

A tea house located inside the "Matsue Historical Museum" right next to the national treasure Matsue Castle. You can enjoy wagashi and tea from "Chaji Matsue" while overlooking the castle's keep and the beautiful Japanese garden that changes with the seasons.

● Rainy day experience

Overlooking the beautiful Japanese garden and rainy scenery. Along with enjoying matcha and wagashi that convey the tea spirit of Matsudaira Fumai, who nurtured Chaji Matsue, you can spend a luxurious time listening to the rain.

Museum shop "Enishizuku" selling items that emphasize the Matsue style is attached

・ Rainy day points

On rainy days, the greenery in the garden is particularly lush, and the sound of rain reaching the veranda deepens the tranquility. You can feel the "quiet beauty of Japan" that Akutagawa loved.

https://matsu-reki.jp/kiharu/

A Japanese garden of about 100 tsubo that lets you feel the four seasons of Matsue

A set of upper-tier wagashi that you can enjoy depending on the season and time

Chapter 3: Meet

Asking for fate at the mirror pond—

Fortune-telling for matchmaking in the guardian forest

Yaegaki Shrine's mirror pond and fortune-telling

● Highlights

Yaegaki Shrine, said to be the place where Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Inada-hime-no-Mikoto from Japanese mythology were united. At the "mirror pond" in the depths of the shrine grounds, you can experience "fate-telling," where you float a coin on the fortune-telling paper you receive and tell the speed of your fate.

● Connection with Akutagawa

The "mirror pond" that Akutagawa wrote about with interest in his work and where Setsu also performed fortune-telling when she was young. This scene, which appeared in the early part of the drama, became a memorable scene for many viewers.

・ Rainy day points

The forest air is humid, and you can enjoy a fantastical landscape where rain patterns spread on the surface of the mirror pond. Because of the rain, you can face your wishes in the silence.

https://yaegakijinja.or.jp/

Telling the fate of your relationship with the sinking time and place

Chapter 4: Take home

Matsue memories that fit in the palm of your hand——

Meeting with pottery at a folk craft kiln

Yumachi Kiln (Yumachi Kiln)

● Highlights

Opened in Taisho 11. A famous kiln that has led the folk craft of Izumo, receiving guidance from Yanagi Sōetsu and Bernard Leach. It conveys the "beauty of utility" near Tamatsukuri Onsen, one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.

● Appeal of Yumachi Kiln

Unique yellow "yellow flow" and blue reminiscent of the sea made with locally produced clay and glaze. Modern and warm vessels such as the signature Egg Baker are lined up.

・ Rainy day points

Touch the story of clay and fire at the kiln shrouded in rain. Take the time to choose a vessel that fits in your hand. Every time you use the chosen vessel, the Matsue of Enishizuku comes back to life. Not a souvenir of the trip, but "a memory of the trip that blends into your life."

https://www.kankou-shimane.com/destination/20380

The exhibition room has many vessels made in the workshop. You can also experience tea cup painting

If you are covering Matsue, start here!

General Incorporated Association Matsue Tourism Association

Tel: 0852-27-5843 Mail: mail@kankou-matsue.jp

Matsue Tourism Guide [ Official Website of Matsue Tourism Association ] Water City Matsue

https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/

Shimane Topics

Grand opening of Matsue City Hall TV drama worldview reproduced "Drama Hall"

Urameishi, Subarashi, Heavenly Longhouse World

Continuous TV novel "Bakebake" Drama Hall

The new building of Matsue City Hall on the shore of Lake Shinji opened on May 16. On the first floor, the "Bakebake" Drama Hall appears, exhibiting the sets and props of the Matsuno family. Immerse yourself in the worldview of the story in Matsue where Akutagawa and his wife Setsu met.

[Exhibition Contents]

・ Sets of "Heavenly Longhouse" (Matsuno family, well, wooden gate, etc.)

・ Costumes (Matsuno Toki, Refkada Heaven)

・ Props (shachihoko sculpture, fox stone sculpture, illustrated letters, etc.) and others

*Note: The longhouse where the heroine Matsuno Toki lived with her family until she married Refkada Heaven. It appeared in many scenes in the work.

Event period: May 17, 2026 ~ March 31, 2027 (weekdays only)

Opening hours: 9:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM

Venue: Matsue City Hall 1st floor Multi-purpose Space (86 Suehirocho, Matsue City)

Inquiries: Matsue City Tourism Department Tourism Promotion Division "Akutagawa and Setsu's Meeting Place" Brand Strategy Office TEL: 0852-55-5384

Matsue City HP: https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/event_calendar/desc/?event=122174

Hibiya Shimane-kan Information

An antenna shop packed with information on Shimane Prefecture's products, tourism, and migration. It is an information dissemination and activity base for Shimane Prefecture in the metropolitan area. Please enjoy the charm of Shimane Prefecture.

100-0006

1-2-2 Hibiya, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 1st basement floor of Hibiya Shinte

Business hours 11:00 AM ~ 8:00 PM (Closed on days when Hibiya Shinte is closed)

Official HP: https://www.shimanekan.jp/

[6/1 (Mon) ~ 6/15 (Mon)] Koji Ski Ski Campaign starts World Milk Day, a 15-day milk enjoyment campaign

https://www.shimanekan.jp/events/event/9296

Introduction to the Shimane Prefecture Press Trip Support Subsidy System

Part of the press expenses (travel expenses) for media outside the prefecture who come to Shimane Prefecture for coverage will be supported. Please check the details at the URL below.

https://www.kankou-shimane.com/renmei/announcement/43

Shimane Prefecture Commerce, Industry, Labor and Tourism Department Tourism Promotion Division Tourism Promotion Section

■ Shimane Tourism Navi

https://www.kankou-shimane.com/

■ Shimane Film Commission