Matsue, a small city in Shimane Prefecture on the island of Honshu in Japan, has no major industries to speak of. It’s population of 193,000 relies mainly on tourism to thrive, with its feudal castle, shrines, museums and temples to bring in visitors. It also boasts of lovely sunsets, which graces the horizon of Lake Shinji, Japan’s seventh largest lake, on the banks of which Matsue resides. It is these sunsets that may prove an economic boon, as Matsue is experimenting with the world’s first sunset forecast.

The city is posting weekly sunset forecasts via the web, speculating whether there is a view to enjoy to help tourists decide their travel plans. (Here is the link to the japanese-language website; the sunset forecast is the one with the successive sunset images). The forecasts are all done by ratings, ranging from certainty to impossibility in seeing sunsets that week. All its data is supplied by the Japan Meteorological Agency, though its the local officials provide the interpretation. Its tourism authority is pushing the idea that sunsets over Lake Shinji is a must-see event in one’s lifetime. Indeed, officials insist that cloudy and rainy weather makes the sunsets even more spectacular.

Matsue is doing its best to enhance the sunset experience. It has successfully kept buildings from blocking the view; it once battled plans for a condo besides the lake shore and stopped a windpower plant from being constructed in nearby city which would have been seen on the lakeside mountain. The city also has provided a special park for sunset views and keeps Shimane Art Museum, which is near the lake shore, open until dusk during the spring and summer months.

Enjoying a simple, daily event like a sunset is nothing new to Japanese culture, which appreciate the beauty of nature and harmony. And certainly the sun is admired above all; notice its uncluttered presence in the official flag. Matsue’s idea for a sunset industry certainly appears to have worked: it reports a 41% jump of the number of visiting foreigners since the website was launched in 2007.

Matsue is sharing and drawing ideas from other Japanese communities through a planned “sunset summit”, which will focus on maximizing the utilization of sunsets.

While waiting for the sunset, why not visit Matsue-jo, one of Japan’s dozen or so remaining castles? A survivor of the country’s many earthquakes, fires, and wars, the stronghold is a vivid reminder of Japan’s feudal past, with Matsudaira clan’s armors, weapons, and equipment on display. Kids will certainly enjoy the boat ride around the castle’s moat, which passes under 12 bridges and has various on-off points along the route. The boats are equipped with a charcoal-heated table (kotatsu) during the colder seasons. Another attraction to enjoy is Yuyu, Japan’s largest konyoku onsen (mixed hot springs) in Tamayu. Yuyu is near JR Tamatsukuri Onsen stop, which is ten minutes away from JR Matsue.

An easy way to get to Matsue from Tokyo is to take the bullet train (shinkansen) to Okayama, then change to “Yakumo”. There is a bus service at the JR Matsue station. The city may also be reached via plane through Izumo Airport, some 30 minutes away by car or through Yonago Airport. To get to all the major attractions, the Matsue Walker Bus provides a comfortable and scenic ride, running in a loop around the city every 30 minutes.

Posted in Attractions, Japan

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