Shimane Art Museum

Shimane Art Museum sits on the edge of Lake Shinji in Matsue, and its western-facing terrace is one of the better spots in the region to watch the sun set over the water. The collection focuses on Japanese and Western art spanning roughly four centuries, with notable holdings in ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Edo-period paintings, and ceramics from kilns across the San'in region. A lakeside sculpture lawn outside the building has works placed along the water's edge, and the path between them is pleasant to walk at any time of day. The building itself, designed to frame views of the lake, is worth visiting as much for its architecture as for the art inside.