Shimane Art Museum

The Shimane Art Museum is an art museum in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, built as a 21st-century cultural hub and described as the largest-scale museum in the San’in region. With a theme of “an art museum in harmony with water,” it features many works depicting water. Because the view here is selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Sunsets,” the museum stays open until 30 minutes after sunset from March to September. There is also an stylish Italian restaurant with mirrored glass. The building uses extensive glass so that visitors can view the sunset over Lake Shinji in an optimal way. The site area is about 14,746 m², designed for all-day enjoyment, and it is a very popular must-visit spot in Shimane tourism. Outdoor sculpture tours are also offered, including the well-known “Shinji-ko Usagi” (Lake Shinji rabbits)—12 rabbit sculptures with varied expressions, also considered a matchmaking spot. Access: about a 15-minute walk from JR Matsue Station.