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City in Chūgoku, Japan
Photo: **jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Masuda (益田市) is a small city of a little more than 50,000 people in Shimane Prefecture. It is the birthplace of Kakinomoto Hitomaro.
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グラントワ
Art Museum and concert hall. To visit the art museum one time costs about ¥1000. If you think you will go to the museum three or more times in one year, you may want to consider getting the "passport" option that allows you unlimited entry for ¥3000.
医光寺
Built in 1363, this temple is known for having hosted the famous Zen Buddhist monk and artist Sesshu (1420-1506) as its fifth chief priest from 1460 to 1485. Sesshu designed a garden here, now designated an important cultural property. The main gate was relocated from Nanao Castle.
万福寺
Built by the Masuda family, this temple's garden was also designed by Sesshu, and its Kamakura-style main hall was designated a nationally important cultural property.
雪舟の郷記念館横
The museum has a small collection of Sesshu's art and information about him.
大喜庵
Built where Toko Temple (where Sesshu spent his last years) once stood. It is said that Sesshu visited Masuda again in the Meiou period (1492–1506), entered Toko Temple (Taikian) and stayed there until he died at the age of 87 in 1506. His grave was built on the hillside behind Taikian.
裏匹見峡
It's in Hikimi, a village that merged with Masuda a few years ago. It is considered one of the most beautiful areas in Shimane.
寿し処みのり
Good sushi made from local catch, close to the station.
By train
Masuda is on the San'in Main Line, which runs along western Honshu's Japan Sea coast, starting in Kyoto and going to Shimonoseki. No shinkansen trains come to Masuda.
By bus
The main bus station is a short walk in front of Masuda Station. There is a line that goes from Masuda to Hiroshima and back at least 3 times a day, passing through Nichihara, Kakinoki, and Muikaichi.
The easiest way is to drive. If you don't have a car there are many taxis in front of Masuda Station and buses that go around town.
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Masuda · Regional · IWJ
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