We departed Hagi, bound for Izumo. It has a famous shrine – Izumo Taisha. It has a huge straw rope and was the birth place of Japan.

For lunch we went for soba and zenzai. Apparently it’s traditional (but where can’t you get soba in Japan?). It came with a little fortune and a sand charm.

Then we started strolling down towards the train station where there are lots of little souvenir type shops and kiosks selling food. We had honey ice cream.

Next, we hopped on the train to Matsue.

We’d just seen a programme the night before about Matuse and the sunset across the lake. Luckily, the weather held out for us and we managed to go and see it for ourselves.

That’s day 3.

Emily