Matsue City is the capital of Shimane Prefecture, located in the eastern part of the prefecture and in the middle of the Sai-in area. The northern part of the city is laid on the Shimane Peninsula, which faces the Sea of Japan and consists of rias coastlines and the lush green Kitayama mountain range. In the center of the city, there are brackish lakes called Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi, which are designated as the Ramsar Sites. The evening views of Lake Shinji changes every season and attract many people. Green mountain ranges spread in the southern part of the city, and vast rice paddy fields on the plains create a beautiful rural landscape. The city also has abundant hot springs such as Tamatsukuri Onsen.

The city comprises various attractive districts: a castle town developed surrounding the Matsue Castle, a National Treasure; the southern suburbs, that is the birthplace of ancient Izumo culture with a number of cultural assets; the Mihonoseki district where the port town townscape is well preserved around the Miho-jinja Shrine; the Kashima district, where the Sadashinno Noh, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is performed; and the Shinji district, which maintains an atmosphere of the early modern post town, having the Kowata family residence, an Important Cultural Property. These fascinating areas that contains history and culture of different periods and characteristics are preserved with the support from the local residents.

Matsue Municipality