Located just south of Matsue Castle, Kyomise Shopping District was founded in 1724 and originally built to resemble similar streets from Kyoto. About 60 different stores and restaurants operate here today, including coffee shops, bakeries and places dedicated to the traditional industries of Shimane Prefecture.
Kyomise’s historic buildings, riverside views and centralized location make it a stylish place where travelers and locals eat, shop and enjoy annual events.
Tasting Shimane’s culture
Photo by: Laura Payne Bring a bag of tea home with you.
Matsue City is known as one of Japan’s top three tea culture hubs, and one can experience this tradition at the main branch of Senchasou–a local tea manufacturer and seller. Here, customers can browse a collection of tea, ceramics and tools for sado (Japanese tea ceremony). Senchasou also manages Scarab Bettei, a cafe specializing in handcrafted desserts and freshly brewed tea.
Meanwhile, wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets often enjoyed with tea) can be purchased at stores like Furyudo or restaurants like Tsukigase.
Sake (rice wine) culture can also be experienced around Kyomise. Kokki Sake Brewery sells local spirits, offers tastings and occasionally leads tours of the brewing areas. This brewery and others are must-see attractions for sake drinkers because Shimane is considered the birthplace of sake. Legends from Japanese mythology that involve brewing sake are said to have taken place in Shimane, which leads some to believe that brewing techniques have existed here since ancient times.
Events and special features
Photo by: Laura Payne After an afternoon of shopping, sit around Karakoro Plaza and take in the local atmosphere.
Look carefully while exploring Kyomise, and you can find four heart-shaped stones. Two are carved into paving bricks, and the other two are semi-precious gems embedded in the ground. Spotting these stones is considered good luck, according to signs posted in the area.
Another iconic feature of Kyomise is Karakoro Plaza, a rest area complete with chairs, tables, a giant red umbrella and a relief carving of the late 19th and early 20th-century author Lafcadio Hearn, who wrote of Matsue city in some of his books. In addition to being a popular place to relax and take in views of the nearby river, this plaza is also an event venue.
About once a month, the Kyomise Karakoro Marche is held, boasting food stalls, performances and other activities meant to entertain visitors of all ages. Meanwhile, major annual events such as the Matsue Irish Festival often use this space as a market or place for eating meals.
