5 Photogenic Buildings and Townscapes in Shimane | Recommended Instagrammable Retro Architecture and Castles

Shimane Prefecture is dotted with beautiful buildings and townscapes that make you want to press the shutter. Let's begin a trip touring spectacular spots woven by history and atmosphere.

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01 | Matsue Castle | The Dignified Beauty of a "Surviving Keep" Where Black Stands Out

One of only 12 surviving keeps remaining nationwide, Matsue Castle. The black-painted exterior walls look great against the blue sky and greenery, and it's a castle with outstanding presence, picturesque from any angle.

Photogenic Point: The inverted castle reflected in the Horikawa moat is fantastical. Especially when the morning light hits, the water surface sparkles, making for a mirror-like shot.

Best Time: Early morning (sunrise to 8 a.m.) or the autumn foliage season. On days when morning mist hangs, it takes on a special atmosphere.

Photography Angle: A vertical composition including the water surface from the promenade along the Horikawa is recommended. Take in the sky and the Horikawa large with a wide-angle lens.

Access: About 10 minutes by bus from JR Matsue Station, get off right at "National Treasure Matsue Castle (Otemae)"

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02 | Izumo Taisha | A Power Spot Where the Mystical Great Shimenawa Rope Is Spectacular

Izumo Taisha, famous as the god of matchmaking. The giant shimenawa rope hung at the worship hall makes for a powerful shot when captured in a photo.

Photogenic Point: The contrast of the pine-lined approach and the vermilion torii is beautiful, and a composition with depth is born naturally.

Best Time: The time of day when morning light streams into the precinct. November's "Kamiarizuki (Month of the Gods)" carries a special mood.

Photography Angle: A vertical composition standing at the center of the approach and capturing the torii in succession is the standard. Express the power of the shimenawa with an angle looking up from directly below!

Access: About 10 minutes on foot from "Izumo-Taisha-mae Station" on the Ichibata Electric Railway

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03 | The Townscape of Tsuwano | "The Little Kyoto of San'in" Where White Walls and Carp Swim

The townscape of Tsuwano, where red-brown roofs of Sekishu tiles and white-plaster storehouses continue. In the moats, nishikigoi carp swim serenely, and wherever you cut a frame, a postcard-like world spreads out.

Photogenic Point: Blue sky, red roofs, white walls, and colorful carp — all the colors harmonize in good balance.

Best Time: The fresh-greenery season of April to May, or a morning when the summer light is strong.

Photography Angle: Crouching at the edge of the moat and capturing the carp swimming on the water surface together with the townscape from a low angle is great.

Access: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Tsuwano Station

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04 | The Townscape of Mihonoseki | A Nostalgic Stone-Paved Street Remaining at the Port

Located at the eastern end of the Shimane Peninsula, Mihonoseki is a fishing town that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period just as it is. The stone-paved "Aoishi-datami Street" is known for the stones glowing blue-green when wet with rain.

Photogenic Point: When the stone pavement shines after rain, the fantastical scenery where retro inns and stone buildings are reflected is one-of-a-kind.

Best Time: The evening to night after rain has cleared is the height. The night when lantern light illuminates the stone pavement is also exceptional.

Photography Angle: Aiming for depth from a low angle on the stone pavement makes the shine of the wet stones stand out.

Access: About 40 minutes by car from within Matsue City, or use a bus from the Sakaiminato direction

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05 | The Former Taisha Station | A Meiji Retro Station Building As If Time Had Stopped

The Former Taisha Station, built in 1912 (Meiji 45), is a nationally Important Cultural Property where pure-Japanese-style wooden architecture has been miraculously preserved. Together with the steam locomotive remaining on the platform, you can take photos as if you've time-slipped.

Photogenic Point: The classic beauty woven by amber-colored wood, white walls, and the green garden. Its nostalgic worldview gets especially big reactions on social media!

Best Time: The time of day when the soft afternoon light streams in. The combination with autumn yellow leaves is also exquisite.

Photography Angle: Shooting the inside of the station building through the lattice of the ticket gate creates a sense of frame, making for a stylish composition with depth.

Access: About 15 minutes on foot from "Izumo-Taisha-mae Station" on the Ichibata Electric Railway

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The charm of Shimane's beautiful buildings and townscapes is that you can encounter photogenic moments just by walking casually. Do head out to search for your very own "photogenic photo" with a camera in hand.

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