Lake Shore

This art museum opened in 1999 and was designed by Kiyonori Kikutake, a prominent Japanese architect known as one of the founders of the Japanese Metabolist (architectural movement) group. It was built to look like a painter’s palette, and looks also like the setting sun.

The art museum houses collections of western and Japanese paintings, print, sculptures, modern art, photography, and crafts. Situated on Lake Shinji’s shore, Shimane Art Museum is one of the best spots for enjoying the beautiful sunsets. The museum stays open an extra half-hour past sundown (Click here for Lake Shinji sunset forecasts) from March through September so visitors can enjoy the setting sun. Both the standard and special exhibitions change periodically, and free local exhibits are sometimes held.

Most of the works in this museum are by artists born in or closely connected to Shimane Prefecture. The museum displays a collection of ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

Admission fee	Present a valid passport or Residence Card for 50% discount
Hours	Oct – Feb, 10:00 - 18:30 Mar – Sep, from 10:00 and until 30 minutes after sunset. Closed every Tuesday (except national holidays) and Dec. 28 - Jan. 01
URL	http://www.shimane-art-museum.jp/en/
Tel	0852-55-4700
Access	15 minutes from JR Matsue Station on foot. 6 minutes from JR Matsue Station by Matsue City Bus Southern Inside Loop or Lake Line Bus. Get off at Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae Bus Stop. 3 hours of free parking for cars.

There are a number of sculptures located in the park next to the art museum and along the lakeside promenade. Among them, twelve bronze rabbits appear to be running toward the shore. Known as the ‘Shinji-ko Rabbits’ and designed by Satoshi Yabuuchi (well-known for having created Sento-kun, mascot of Nara City). They are based on the legend of the White Hare, the hero of which is Okuninushi, the deity of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. It has become popular to rub the rabbit second from the front for good luck, and to place Shijimi clams before him for even more!

Another sculpture by the art museum is the ‘Wind Gate’, which was built by Kiichi Sumikawa, one of the design supervisors of Tokyo Sky tree – the tallest free-standing structure in the world. A steel looking sculpture that forms a heart shape when viewed from the right direction facing out towards the lake is a monument to the writer Lafcadio Hearn [See Matsue, Home of Lafcadio Hearn].

There is a pleasant walkway all the way from Shinjiko Ohashi Bridge (where the lake feeds into the river), past Shimane Art Museum along the lake shore, and leading to the sunset viewing spot. The morning, noon, and evening views of Lake Shinji are all worth a visit, and the lake’s close proximity to central Matsue makes this easy for those staying overnight in the city.

Lafcadio Hearn wrote of the view of the lake: “Long reaches of faintly-tinted vapour cloud the far lake verge, — long nebulous bands, such as you may have seen in old Japanese picture books.” [More info on Lake Shinji]

Located by Lake Shinji, Shirakata Park is lined with a promenade and steps where you can sit and enjoy the view of the lake. There are also benches, pine trees, and grass area. The most prominent point of this park is probably the large stone lantern. The lantern is made from Kimachi stone, a locally sourced stone, and stands six metres tall. It is now a well-known landmark in Matsue.

From Shirakata Park, you can easily reach Matsue’s highest building, the Sanin-Godo Bank Headquarters, which has an observatory floor (65 metres) offering a panoramic view of Matsue City, including a view out over the lake. Entrance is free, but times are limited to 10:00 to 18:00 (November to March, 9:30 to 17:30). Closed on weekends.

There is a pleasant walkway all the way from Shinjiko Ohashi Bridge (bridge where river enters lake) past Shimane Art Museum along the lake shore, leading to the sunset viewing spot. The morning, noon, and evening views of Lake Shinji are all worth a visit, and the lake’s close proximity to central Matsue makes this easy for those staying overnight in the city.

Lafcadio Hearn wrote of the view of the Lake: “Long reaches of faintly-tinted vapour cloud the far lake verge, — long nebulous bands, such as you may have seen in old Japanese picture books.” [More info on Lake Shinji]