Lake Shinji, said to boast Japan’s most beautiful sunset view
The artistry of the gradation that takes your breath away: the Lake Shinji sunset
It is said the sunset over Lake Shinji in Shimane Prefecture is so impressive, it is the “most beautiful sunset in Japan”. The drama begins 30 minutes before the sun sets as a band of red emerges across the blue sky. With the sky changing from minute to the next, the lake surface becomes a palette of gradated purples and madder red. The Sodeshi Jizo, a pair of Buddhist statues that overlook the lake, are a classic view and icons of Lake Shinji, silhouetted distinctively against the blood-red setting sun. As the sun sinks over Yomegashima Island, a sacred island associated with a tragic legend, the climactic moment takes on a somber melancholic beauty.(This information is as of December 2017)
Lake Shinji, with a circumference of around 45km, has brackish waters (mixing saltwater and freshwater) and is famous for freshwater clams
Around Lake Shinji are the Shimane Art Museum and other sunset viewing spots, so check them out before sunset to find the right place for you. A sunset cruise is another possibility aboard the HAKUCHOU, another way to experience the moment altogether.
MAP
External links
HAKUCHOU Lake Shinji Tourist Cruiser
- Adress
- 150-7 Higashiasahimachi, Matsue City, Shimane [Map]
- TEL
- +81-852-24-3218 (Hakucho Kanko)
- Open
- 6-7 cruises per day starting at 9:30am.
- Closed
- Weekdays from December to February *Cruises depart in case of 10 passengers or more *Departure dependent on weather
- URL
- Website
- Acsess
- 5 minutes’ walk from JR Matsue Station
- Remarks
- *Booking recommended
MAP
External links
Nearby
Features
Free gourmet booklet with a map, "Night-time Food & Drinks Guide" available at hotels around Okayama Station. Check out here (website) for more details about the cafes, bars and restaurants around Okayama Station recommended by local editors published Night-time Food & Drinks Guide.
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Night-time Food & Drinks Guide
Free gourmet booklet with a map, "Night-time Food & Drinks Guide" available at hotels around Okayama Station. Check out here (website) for more details about the cafes, bars and restaurants around Okayama Station recommended by local editors published Night-time Food & Drinks Guide.
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NIIMI
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Wake-cho in southeastern Okayama Prefecture is a town with a rich natural environment nurtured by the Yoshii River. It is dotted with tourist spots that garner attention from within Japan and abroad, such as Katatetsu Roman Kaido, a popular cycling and walking road, and Fuji Park which has the largest variety of wisteria in Japan.
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WAKE
Wake-cho in southeastern Okayama Prefecture is a town with a rich natural environment nurtured by the Yoshii River. It is dotted with tourist spots that garner attention from within Japan and abroad, such as Katatetsu Roman Kaido, a popular cycling and walking road, and Fuji Park which has the largest variety of wisteria in Japan.
Seasons
Destinations
A peaceful body of water surrounded by Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea is renowned for its many beautiful islands and scenic views. Known also as the Aegean of the East, it attracts countless visitors from around the world.
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SETOUCHI
A peaceful body of water surrounded by Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea is renowned for its many beautiful islands and scenic views. Known also as the Aegean of the East, it attracts countless visitors from around the world.
Okayama, the Land of Sunshine, abounds with the blessings of lush mountains and a bountiful sea, the beauty of nature and the crossroads of prominent Japanese historic heritage. Always a key transport hub in the Setouchi region, in recent years it has also become the gateway to the art of the Seto Inland Sea.
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OKAYAMA
Okayama, the Land of Sunshine, abounds with the blessings of lush mountains and a bountiful sea, the beauty of nature and the crossroads of prominent Japanese historic heritage. Always a key transport hub in the Setouchi region, in recent years it has also become the gateway to the art of the Seto Inland Sea.
Hiroshima, the International City of Peace, is known throughout the world for its two World Heritage sites and for being the setting of superb literary works. This is a compulsory stop for connoisseurs from around Japan looking for unique food culture, not least of which are okonomiyaki, said to be Japan's national dish, and oysters.
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HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima, the International City of Peace, is known throughout the world for its two World Heritage sites and for being the setting of superb literary works. This is a compulsory stop for connoisseurs from around Japan looking for unique food culture, not least of which are okonomiyaki, said to be Japan's national dish, and oysters.
Shimane Prefecture is redolent of tradition, boasting a large number of nationally-recognized historical and cultural treasures such as the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Matsue Castle. Its large number of hot springs means it attracts a large number of people seeking healing in body and soul. It is also popular among visitors who can enjoy the fresh seafood from its Japan Sea coast and traditional foods such as soba noodle and Japanese sweets.
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SHIMANE
Shimane Prefecture is redolent of tradition, boasting a large number of nationally-recognized historical and cultural treasures such as the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Matsue Castle. Its large number of hot springs means it attracts a large number of people seeking healing in body and soul. It is also popular among visitors who can enjoy the fresh seafood from its Japan Sea coast and traditional foods such as soba noodle and Japanese sweets.
In the northern part of the prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, there is a beautiful stretch of coastline of the Tottori Sand Dunes and white sand and pine trees while the south is a majestic mountain range including Mt. Daisen, the tallest peak of the Chugoku region. Tottori is therefore an area of natural beauty changing by the season, where delicacies from the sea and the mountains await.
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TOTTORI
In the northern part of the prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, there is a beautiful stretch of coastline of the Tottori Sand Dunes and white sand and pine trees while the south is a majestic mountain range including Mt. Daisen, the tallest peak of the Chugoku region. Tottori is therefore an area of natural beauty changing by the season, where delicacies from the sea and the mountains await.
Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan. It is famous in Japan and abroad for being home to Sanuki udon, one of the “big three” udon noodle varieties, to the point that Kagawa is also known as “Udon Prefecture.” Kagawa is also gaining ground as a leader of Japan’s art culture by serving as the stage for the Setouchi Trienniale, a renowned contemporary arts festival.
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KAGAWA
Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan. It is famous in Japan and abroad for being home to Sanuki udon, one of the “big three” udon noodle varieties, to the point that Kagawa is also known as “Udon Prefecture.” Kagawa is also gaining ground as a leader of Japan’s art culture by serving as the stage for the Setouchi Trienniale, a renowned contemporary arts festival.
Kochi Prefecture is a premier destination for natural beauty, with its dynamic, warm Kuroshio current-bathed coastline, crystal-clear rivers such as the Niyodogawa famous for its “miracle blue” waters, and ample scenic hotspots. It is also popular as a foodie destination, a variety of seafood including skipjack tuna and its delicious sake rice wine.
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KOCHI
Kochi Prefecture is a premier destination for natural beauty, with its dynamic, warm Kuroshio current-bathed coastline, crystal-clear rivers such as the Niyodogawa famous for its “miracle blue” waters, and ample scenic hotspots. It is also popular as a foodie destination, a variety of seafood including skipjack tuna and its delicious sake rice wine.
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EHIME
Many people flock to Ehime prefecture to soothe their mind and body with the healing waters of Japan's oldest hot springs resort Dogo Onsen, and the breathtaking Tashimabi scenery of numerous islands scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea, as seen from the Shimanami Kaido bridge route connecting six of the larger islands. In addition to these and other attractions, Ehime is also blessed with a warm climate and locally grown citrus fruits, as well as an abundance of seafood sourced from the three coastal waters that surround it.
Tokushima prefecture magnificently captures the beautiful nature and traditional culture of Japan in its many attractions including the Kazura Bashi Vine Bridge, one of the country's three uniquely structured bridges, and the Iya Valley region with its preserved nostalgic rural scenery. A trip to Tokushima will surely be unforgettable as you marvel at the Naruto whirlpool, one of Japan's top three tidal streams, and experience the excitement of the country's hallmark Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival.
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TOKUSHIMA
Tokushima prefecture magnificently captures the beautiful nature and traditional culture of Japan in its many attractions including the Kazura Bashi Vine Bridge, one of the country's three uniquely structured bridges, and the Iya Valley region with its preserved nostalgic rural scenery. A trip to Tokushima will surely be unforgettable as you marvel at the Naruto whirlpool, one of Japan's top three tidal streams, and experience the excitement of the country's hallmark Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival.
