Local Guide ~ An Original Japan Travel Guide by Hoshino Resorts' Local Staff

Local Guide

Masatomo Nagaoka

Daikokubashira in Tamatsukuri

He is a father of a child, and is the best person when it comes to sharing his local knowledge. He is the mainstay of Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri's service and is relied upon by Staff/staff members. His skill in KAI Cultural Discovery is the best in the hotel. The eight-forked serpent made of Ishu washi paper looks as if it is alive, and it is said that many Guest/customers are chilled by the power of the performance.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Matsue. Located in Tamatsukuri hot spring in Izumo, the Land of the Gods, this hot spring ryokan features an outdoor hot spring in every room. Guests can enjoy not only the Public hot spring but also the Guest room Outdoor hot spring, which is famous as a hot spring for beautiful skin and has a long history as recorded in the "Izumo Province Fudoki" (Record of Fudoki).
The meals are KAI Local Flavors, using seasonal ingredients such as Lake Shinji clam and crab from Lake Shinji. It is also a tasteful way to experience Matsue's tea ceremony culture in the tea room with a view of the Japanese garden. In addition, nightly "Iwami Kagura" dances based on mythology are performed (free of charge). Visitors can feel Izumo's culture close at hand.

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Local Guide FAQ

Where is the best place to visit in the Izumo and Matsue area?: Iya Shrine in Matsue is a very large shrine despite its location in town.
A mirror is placed in the hall of worship, and the style of praying while looking at oneself is rare in this area.
Also, the nearby cake shop "Patisserie Shinobu" makes cream puffs to order and fills them with cream, giving them a crispy, fluffy texture.

Please sneak in some hole-in-the-wall places that you know because you live there.: Manai Shrine is a shrine that even locals do not often stop by, but it is so old that it was managed by Izumo's national municipality family in the past.
Behind it rises Mt. Chausu, one of Izumo's divine volcanoes.
In the surrounding area, there are large shrines such as Kamigon Shrine and Kumano Taisha Shrine, which should be visited in conjunction with the shrine.

Where did you travel to last year and with whom?: I visit the area when I go back to my wife's hometown in Aichi, where my wife's parents live.
Since our children are still small, we often visit the Nagoya Port Aquarium and Nagashima Island.

What do you do on your days off?: This is a tour of shrines, ancient tombs, and other historical sites. Oku Izumo is a hot spot in my opinion, with ruins, shrines, a dam, and a sake brewery.
Hot springs are abundant, and I sometimes go there for a day trip.

Is there anything you always take with you on a trip?: When I drive alone, I often bring squid with me. However, it is not popular with my family, so I use chocolate as my travel companion.
In addition, I often take simple snapshots, so I carry a compact camera on my shoulder.