Advertisement

Adachi Museum of Art

Although it is an art museum, Adachi is most famous for its gorgeous 43,000 square meter garden, deemed Japan's best garden by the American Journal of Japanese Gardening for 4 years straight. However, visitors can only view it through windows inside the museum. The museum itself has a collection of 130 works by Yokoyama Taikan, one of Japan's foremost visual artists, as well as many works by modern Japanese artists. The Ceramic Art Hall showcases works by some of Japan's greatest potters, including Kawai Kanjiro and Kitaoji Rosanjin. Despite the steep entrance fee, it is well worth the visit if you have an interest in 20th century artwork and modern Japanese gardens. ¥2200, recorded English tours ¥300.

Wako Museum

This museum stands next to the Port of Yasugi, which prospered at the end of the Edo era as a steel port. Many fine samurai swords, for example, were made of steel from Yasugi. Using HDTV and robots, Wako Museum describes the tatara method of steel-making employed here along with much else about steel=making in Japan. ¥300.

Kiyomizu Temple

This temple boasts an especially beautiful main hall and three-level pagoda. Founded in 587, in the 9th century Kiyomizu Temple prospered as the foremost center of the Tendai sect, a Buddhist sect that favored mountain recluses. You can enjoy traditional vegetarian cuisine at two inns and a restaurant within the temple grounds.

Gassan Toda Castle Remains

These are the ruins of the castle of the Amako clan, who ruled this area during Japan's period of warring states (1467-1568). The castle was famed as an impregnable redoubt, spreading over the entire summit of Mt. Gassan, 184m above sea level. At the ruins only stone walls and old stone pavement remain as traces of the past. The castle in Matsue was built to replace this castle.

Information not available

Information not available

Advertisement