Makuragi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
A Drive up Mount Makuragi A little Japanese sweet in the pavilion’s shade, with Lake Nakaumi beyond
I want to make time to climb Mount Makuragi on a trip to Matsue. From Kezōji Temple’s No. 1 Lookout, you can take in Lake Nakaumi, then settle in for a longer break with Japanese sweets I picked out in town.
An autumn afternoon with colourful leaves all around the pavilion.
AutumnA calm afternoon in October
A wide lake and a little flower-shaped sweet
I walked up from the road to the pavilion and sat on a bench. Under my light jacket I had on a lilac sweater. The autumn sun still felt warm, but under the roof I could finally relax. Beyond the wooden pillars, Lake Nakaumi opened out before me, and the view felt so much larger than anything I’d seen while wandering through town.
I set the Japanese sweet I’d picked up in Matsue on its little square of white paper. Its little flower shape was so cute that I paused before taking a bite. I admired the fine details in its petals, then tasted it. As I let the sweetness linger, the urge to hurry on seemed to drift away. I’m glad I had this break to look forward to today, too.
From Kezōji Temple’s No. 1 Lookout, you can see Lake Nakaumi, Daikonjima Island and the Yumigahama Peninsula beyond. As I let my gaze travel from the water in front of me to the houses along the shore, the places I’d seen on the map began to fit together. I enjoy slowly tracing the shape of the nearer shore, rather than trying to take in everything at once through the haze in the distance.
Mount Makuragi stands 453m above sea level. The mountain road opened in 1971, making it possible to drive up. During the construction of Matsue Castle, Kezōji Temple is said to have become a place where people prayed for the castle. It lies northeast of the castle, a direction traditionally considered unlucky. I came for the mountain views, but it’s fascinating how the place is tied to Matsue’s history, too. When I’m back walking around town, I’ll want to look for the mountain.
When the branches overhead swayed, the shadow on the bench moved a little too. I looked out over the wide stretch of water, savoured the little sweet in my hands, then did it all over again. Matsue has a strong tradition of tea and Japanese sweets, so I still have another treat to look forward to when I head back into town. I’d like to make room in my trip for an afternoon like this instead of rushing straight on to the next place.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local treats to try
Japanese sweets from Matsue
Matsue’s tea culture is closely tied to its Japanese sweets. Taking time in town to choose flower-shaped sweets or treats with seasonal designs helps slow the pace of a trip.
Highlights
Lake Nakaumi from the pavilion
Look past the wooden pillars and you can take in the lake and the shape of the shore.
An afternoon with Matsue sweets
The flower-shaped sweet I picked up in Matsue was so cute that I paused with it in my hand before taking a bite. Once I’d savoured it, I turned my gaze back to Lake Nakaumi and wanted to linger here rather than hurry to the next place.
Road and location details
Road up Mount Makuragi · Kezōji Temple
- From Matsue Station to Kezōji Temple
- 30 minutes by car + 15 minutes on foot
- Elevation of Mount Makuragi
- 453m
After driving up the mountain, I’d love to take in the view of Lake Nakaumi from the No. 1 Lookout.
It takes 30 minutes by car from Matsue Station to Kezōji Temple, followed by a 15-minute walk. I’d like to combine a wander around town with the mountain views.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
