Masuda city’s unique local cuisine: Uzume-meshi. Shimane Prefecture is one of the leading areas that produce wasabi in Japan. Uzume-meshi is served in a bowl with vegetables and chicken broth underneath the warm white rice, garnished with wasabi on top. It is a must try when you are in the area!
Shimane Prefecture is in the northern Chugoku area. Masuda City is the westernmost city facing the Japanese sea in the north and the vast Chugoku area in the south. Throughout the Kamakura period and the Nara period, trading was booming. There are many historical documents on the Masuda clan, which governed the area back in the day. Shimane Prefecture is in the northern Chugoku area. Masuda City is the westernmost city facing the Japanese sea in the north and the vast Chugoku area in the south. Throughout the Kamakura period and the Nara period, trading was booming. There are many historical documents on the Masuda clan, which governed the area back in the day. Mascos Hotel, an iconic hotel that showcases the area’s culture, offers takeout Kyo-oh cuisine. Kyo-oh means hospitality serving alcohol and food to the guests.
Masuda city’s other iconic local cuisine: Ayu Zoni (Japanese soup with ayu, the sweetfish). Takatsu River is known for its clear stream, which is a perfect habitat for the ayu. In Japan, having zoni on New Year’s Day has been a tradition. Around the Masuda area, adding grilled ayu has been the norm. To make dashi stock for the soup, slowly grill the ayu and dry them. After putting the soup and mochi in the dish, garnish the soup with an entire ayu on top. Ayu’s dashi makes this zoni full of umami with a light aftertaste.
There are also Japanese experiences such as Zen meditation, matcha, tofu making at a temple, and goemon bath at an old folk house.
‘Ayu Zoni’, which uses natural ayu caught in the ‘Takatsu River’, is a local dish that is eaten at many homes during the New Year. It is written in an ancient document that this ayu was served as a cuisine for entertainment for lord Masuda, who served during the Warring States period, and can be eaten with a reproduction dish as a ‘medieval food’.
Located in the Nishi-Chugoku Mountains National Monument, ‘Hikimikyo’ shows a variety of beautiful valleys, such as many strange rocks and waterfalls.
The Takatsu River is a clear, transparent stream. You can enjoy kayaking in the clearest water in Japan. You can choose from single-seater or two-seater kayaks according to your preference.
We also recommend the ‘Karaoto Suisen Park’, where about 2 million Japanese daffodils bloom on the rocks facing the Sea of Japan, and the Ebisu Shrine, which is called the Monsan Michel in the Sanin region.
