If you're curious about where Matsue is, relative to other cities in Japan, see this map about how to get to Matsue. The map isn't exactly what I had in mind, but it's easier than making a map myself. :-) The inset map that shows Mizumo Airport, Matsue, and Yonago Airport does not include Sakaiminato City. Sakaiminato is located at the end of the little thumb peninsula that's northwest of Yonago. (That Web site also has more information about Matsue, if you're curious. Also, I found a link to the Shimane Prefecture's official government Web site: click on the words/icon "Shimane Prefecture" (below the Korean and Russian words) to continue with the English text.)

I took this photo at the start of a boat tour. I wish I had a better one of the interior of the boat, but I don't. Oh well. Matsue Castle is our main touring goal today. This boat tours the canals that circle most of the castle's fortified walls. I'm touring with Rob and Nomi-sensei, a teacher that Rob works with in Sakaiminato City. Nomi-sensei lives in Matsue and also works as a tour guide in the city. (That's her hand in the photo.) The boat is covered, which limits the view quite a bit, but I guess it's nice when it rains. We're sitting on the floor of the boat, with our legs underneath a low table that is covered with a thick red blanket. Underneath the table are a couple of charcoal braziers. Our guide warned us not to burn ourselves. It was about 45F, but the charcoal and blanket kept us very cozy & warm.

The fortification walls of Matsue Castle use stones with their (mostly) natural shape. This is unusual: most other castles & fortifications in other parts of Japan use shaped stones instead.
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