Tsuwano, Masuda, Hamada Travel Guides

Tsuwano, Masuda, and Hamada offer tourist attractions such as Takashima, sightseeing events such as Manzairaku, and local delicacies such as taro stew.

The town of Tsuwano is located in the southwestern part of Shimane Prefecture. Before the Meiji Restoration, it was a castle town under the jurisdiction of the Kamei clan, which was the Tsuwano clan. The town, spread out in a small basin, is known as "Little Kyoto." In addition, Tsuwano Station is the terminus for the SL train, which attracts a large number of tourists who visit the town on excursions to Yamaguchi City and Hagi.

Also, since the town is within driving distance of Iwakuni, where the U.S. military base in Japan is located, many foreigners, such as base personnel and U.S. soldiers, can be seen here.

In 2005, the town merged with the neighboring town of Hihara to form the town of Tsuwano. The town office is now located in Hihara Town Hall.

The Sagimai (heron dance) parade through the town during the annual Gion Festival is a typical Tswano tradition and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the national government.

Masuda City is part of Shimane Prefecture and, along with Hamada City, is located in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, in the center of the Ishinishi region. Together with Hamada and Ota, it is known as Iwami Sanda. Located in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, the city borders the Sea of Japan.

The center of the city is a delta in the Masuda Plain, which extends downstream of the Takatsu River. As for the central area of the city, which has existed since the Meiji Era, it is located around the Uda Sake Brewery, east of the Masuda Station. The southern part of Masuda City lies to the west of the Chugoku Mountains and is lined with 1,000-meter-high mountains.

In particular, the Bito and Hittomi districts, which were merged into the city in 2004, are almost entirely covered with mountains and forests. The area of Masuda City is the largest in Shimane Prefecture.

Hamada City refers to the area bordering the Sea of Japan in the western part of Shimane Prefecture. It is the center of the former Iwami Province and is a representative area in the western part of Shimane Prefecture. Together with Masuda City and Ota City, it is collectively known as Iwami Sanda.

It was once a military base representing the San'in area, where the 21st Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army was established. Currently, the city is developing as one of the leading fisheries cities in the San'in region.