松江

A city in Japan, the capital of Shimane Prefecture, city population 145,000. It is located on Lake Shinji, an inlet of the Sea of Japan, and the easiest way to get there is by air, through either Izumo Airport or Yonago Airport. By rail, take the Shinkansen to Okayama, then change to the Yakumo express train.

Matsue is most famous as the home of author Lafcadio Hearn: his house is now a museum where tourists can see artifacts of his life, including his notebooks and Japanese citizenship papers. Matsue Castle is another popular tourist spot, and the onsen district by the lake shore is not to be missed.