Things to do in Matsue: Hydrangea of June
With the peak season of the rose and peony flower having just passed, and the high-probability of rain due to it being the rainy season at the moment, you might not be so inclined to go flower viewing...
View ArticleMatsue, over a century later
It was over 120 years ago when author and traveller Lafcadio Hearn arrived in Japan. During his time here in Matsue, many of his first and lasting impressions of Japan were formed, which he later...
View ArticleFoods to beat the summer heat!
While ice-cream and cool beverages may be ideal for cooling down when the temperatures soar, they don’t quite amount to a proper meal. That’s when chilled buckwheat noodles save the day ^-^ You can...
View ArticlePlaces for taking a break: Cafe Cozy
Every now and then, you find a cosy little gem ^-^ This isn’t a new place, but it was my first time to stumble upon this small cafe that is set-up in a renovated Japanese home. The cafe itself is a...
View ArticleEating out in Matsue: Mr. Barg , American Steaks and Hamburgers
If you happen to be visiting Japan, maybe you’ve had your fill of delicate servings of carefully prepared traditional dishes, and are looking for something tasty, something recognisable, and something...
View ArticleLake Shinji & Matsue: Sunsets of June
We’re now into July, but lets take a little look back over the sunsets that we had here in Matsue during the month of June. In the early part of June, we were yet to enter the rainy season, meaning...
View ArticlePlaces to eat: Ramen-cho san!
If you’re a fan of ramen (noodles), or have yet to give them a try, you can’t go wrong with ‘Ramen-cho san’ (ラーメン長さん lit. Ramen Master Chef). This is a relatively small (but delicious!) ramen...
View ArticleYesterday’s sunset, stepping out of my comfort-zone in shooting a familiar scene
A quick post today, to share the unexpected yet beautiful sunset over Lake Shinji yesterday. As yesterday was overcast and cloudy, I wasn’t expecting to be able to see much sun or colours for the...
View ArticleGot that summer feeling~
One of the very summer-ish things to do here in Japan, is to ‘play’ with ‘fireworks’. By play I mean light and wave around, and by fireworks, I mean sparklers and other small varieties of ‘fireworks’....
View ArticleGetting into the festival (matsuri) spirit!
Japan‘s summer festival are known for their lively and energetic processions, usually with a long tradition. There are many aspects of the Japanese festival that makes them attractive, one of such,...
View ArticleSPICE for lunch (Indian Restaurant)
Located in northern Matsue (MAP), this Indian restaurant really is a delightful experience, not just food-wise, but as you can see from the photos below, it is clear that a considerable amount of...
View ArticleTenjin-san Festival: Sacred portable shrines and lively street amusements
Tenjin-san is an annual festival held at Shirakata Tenmangu ( 白潟天満宮; dedicated to Michizane Sugawara, known throughout Japan as the god of Learning) a mere five-minute walk from Matsue JR Station. The...
View ArticleEating at a Japanese matsuri
Festivals, or matsuri as they are known in Japanese, are the perfect opportunity for those adventurous eaters seeking something new and exciting. Most matsuri will have rows upon rows of stalls (yatai)...
View ArticleA recap over July’s sunsets
Time brings all things to pass -Aeschylus (Aiskhulos 524 BC – 455 BC) …July has come to an end. Here is a brief look back over the sunsets that have come to pass this month… …and wonder what will come...
View ArticleEating/Drinking in Matsue: Cafe Blanc
A cafe with an impressively varied menu, Cafe Blanc offers a wide rang of teas and coffees, hot and cold, juices and smoothies, pasta dinners, stew, and lots more. This place is rather popular for its...
View ArticleFolk Songs at Karakoro Art Studio(Aug.18th)
The mention of summertime in Japan to those who have lived or visited, will more than likely bring back memories of lively and colourful festival matched with the endless array of foods served up by...
View ArticleCafe Lunch: May in the Countryside 五月の鄙(go-gatsu-no-hina)
A bakery with adjoining cafe, a natural and relaxed atmosphere, vegetarian with macrobiotic influences, if this sounds good to you, then you might want to try out Go-gatsu no hina五月の鄙 (roughly...
View ArticleShimanekko Goods
“Yuru chara” is the nickname of the Yurui mascot characters that are adorable and loved by everyone. They resemble a Disney like character and get the attention, dedication and loyalty of the people...
View ArticleBlossoms braving the August heat
This year saw an unusually short rainy season, a quick peak in summer temperature, and we can only hope for the best for the rest of what looks like a long sweltering summer. But despite the...
View ArticleFireworks festival build-up…
Summer is in full swing, and has brought with it an array of festivals and lively events. The first weekend of August was set aside for one of Matsue’s most highly anticipated. By noon there were...
View Article