Directory Index: 2006-04-11 Matsue

2006-04-11 Matsue

Travelled from Tsuwano to Matsue by train. Beautiful trip, train runs right along the coast for most of the distance. Sea scenery on one side and hills/mountains on the other.
The owner of Ryokan Terazuya picked me up from the station. I am the only guest. The ryokan is just outside of the centre of town, only 5 minutes to lake Shinji and then about 15 minutes to Matsue Castle. Walked around the castle and surroundings. Visited the Lafcadio Hearn museum, Mr Hearn came to Japan in 1890 and he stayed until his death in 1904. He was the first English writer to write about Japan, and he also translated japanese literature into english. He married a japanese woman, became a japanese citizen and eventually changed his name to Koizumi Yakumo. He is very well known in Japan. I had diner at the Ryokan and spoke a bit with the family who run it.