Matsue, Shimane

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**Matsue**
**松江市**
Matsue's location in Shimane, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūgoku
Prefecture	Shimane
Physical characteristics
Area	530.21 km² (204.72 sq mi)
Population (as of 2005)
Total	196,093
Location	35°28′N, 133°3′E
Symbols
Flag
Matsue Government Office
Official website: Matsue City

View of Matsue from Matsue Castle

Matsue (松江市, Matsue-shi^?) is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture in the Chūgoku region of Japan.

As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 196,093 and the density of 369.84 persons per km². The total area is 530.21 km².

It is called the "water city," as it sits on Lake Shinji, the seventh largest lake in Japan. Nearby Izumo Taisha is considered to be the oldest and most important Shinto shrine in Japan.

1 Culture
- 1.1 Universities in Matsue
2 History
- 2.1 Municipal timeline
3 Sister cities
4 External links

[edit] Culture

[edit] Universities in Matsue

Shimane University [1]
Shimane Prefectural Shimane Women's College (junior college) [2]

[edit] History

The city boasts Matsue Castle, the "black castle" or "plover castle", one of the few remaining medieval castles in Japan. The castle grounds include a winding path through mixed forests of bamboo, shrubs and trees, many of which are very old and identified by species. Surrounding the grounds and the castle park is the old moat, "horikawa".

Author Lafcadio Hearn taught in Matsue from 1890-1891. His house is now a museum about his life, and a popular tourist attraction in Matsue.

Street of Matsue

Matsue with Lake Shinji on the left

[edit] Municipal timeline

April 1, 1889: the former city of Matsue was founded.
March 31, 2005: the former city of Matsue and the towns of Kashima, Mihonoseki, Shimane, Shinji, Tamayu and Yatsuka and the village of Yakumo from Yatsuka District merged to form the new city of Matsue.