07 May 2025

Exploring the Mountains, Gardens and Culture of Matsue and Sakaiminato

After a smooth sail across the Sea of Japan, Heritage Adventurer berthed at the wharf in the port city of Sakaiminato for our exploration of the region.

The weather was cool and cloudy, and a brooding Mount Daisen could be seen in the distance, its summit hidden in the clouds, from the ship. Those of us visiting were driven across the city, through a rural area and into the wooded foothills of the mountain. Following local guides, we explored the winding paths through the beech and impressive Japanese cedar forest passing shrines, temples and statues, Daisenji Temple and Ogamiyama-jinja Shrine Okunomiya – the location of the largest Gongen-style shrine, followed by a bbq lunch and visit to the fascinating port town of Mihonoseki.

While some guests were exploring Mount Daisen, others opted to visit the iconic Adachi Museum of Art where the famed gardens are also considered works of art with the museum is home to an impressive collection of Japanese prints and pottery collected by Adachi over his lifetime. A short walk then took us to the Yasugi-bushi Engeikan performance hall, a small theatre where a humorous play included some audience participation for the brave. We then tried our skills at cooking a traditional Japanese bbq lunch before visiting Matsue Castle where a magnificent Chinese Fringe tree was resplendent in full bloom with white draping blossoms giving off an intoxicating scent.

Meeting up at Yuushien Garden, our visit started with a selection of superb sushi with green tea or coffee, before having the gardens to ourselves. The delicate beauty of the central red bridge, the moss-covered banks, the raked Zen dry rock spaces, and the mist-covered central pond area of this exquisite garden had us crossing the stepping stones, or wandering the twisting paths, trying to find the perfect spot to capture the shapes and symmetries planned by the designer.

Images © S. Bradley & J. Mishina, Heritage Expeditions