Shimane

About Shimane

Shimane Prefecture is located western Chugoku Sanin region Sea of Japan coast area 6,707.79 square kilometers ranking 19th population about 623,378 June 1 2026 second smallest after Tottori density 92.9 least second capital Matsue City about 192,000 people core plus Izumo 172k second busy second city. Geography faces Sea of Japan north with Izumo Plain east where population concentrates 60 percent Izumo plain core Yatsuka building land suitable rice elevation subtle micro hill, Chugoku Mountains interior backbone complex partitioning mountain range high ridge with Aso Mori bamboo abundant control difficult historical gender terrain isolated carving isolation essential. Oki Islands 50 kilometers north offshore approximate domicile created volcanic activity 5 million years age distinct geology cliffs faulted amphitheater most part Daisen-Oki National Park with Rosoku Shima Sunset candle peak plus Takeshima island claimed dispute Korea called Dokdo Liancourt Rocks current sovereignty troublesome diplomatic marine border. Corresponds three former provinces Izumo Iwami Oki present division Izumo Iwami Oki still used present day two local families prestige segmentation names identification local ID pride dividing east-west-south difference temperature. Name originates Shimane郡 where Matsue Castle stood said named Yatsukamizu Omitsuno deity pulling new Korea peninsula Tug-of-war land gathering famously Chronicle Izumo Fudoki core chronicle reported spacious solid land mass, Matsue castle settlement small central north core Yatsuka scattered. Modern prefecture founded November 1871 after abolition han when Matsue Hirose Mori domains 3 ans merged renamed Shimane reason often cited Matsue Domain reluctant retat overthrow shogunate during Meiji Restoration Kyoto army leaning yet supporting Shogunate weak positioning hence loss prestige not using Matsue name negative considered punishment however accurate internal historical research complex. Importantly early form Tottori area addition executed 1881 after division final structure 8 towns provinces region. Climate Japan Sea side cloudy precipitation many days cloudy winter occasional snow summer relatively cool but basin areas hot Izumo region includes special summer heating top Mitsugi 38 deg surprising plus Lake Shinji called shinjiko brackish half fresh salt 80 sq km area seventh biggest lake inside Japan depth only six meters shallow resurgence ancient tidal impact fishery rich activity throughout. Industry focuses agriculture forestry fisheries: Lake Shinji brackish lake yields biggest Yamato shijimi clam catch Japan myth hangover cure nutritional iron-rich detoxify hepatocentrically symbolic 1500 tonne annual volume precious quality due rapid salinity extent, sea fishing catches Nodoguro rosy seabass Akamutsu silver highest retail pricing premium premium 3000 yen kg due deep fat tasty grilled, flying fish Ago Tobi-uo for agodashi soup premium broth colloq consumption special famous Oki debut ingredient processed high dinner sweet, horse mackerel Hata Hata? And specialty oyster oysters etc. Traditional crafts Sekishu roof tiles glazed silver brown 40 percent Japan resistant snow freezing resistant glossy 800 years durability heritage kiln 90 percent country mineral hardness texture robustness average robust, Unshu abacus ancient wood computing masterpiece thorough manufacturing thoroughnw 500 years wooden.