Shimane in One Day: Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum — Guide Sakanesan

What Is a Private Matsue Tour Following Lafcadio Hearn's Footsteps Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

This was a tour using a rental car driven by one of the guests. One of the guests was a fan of Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) and viewed the exhibits at the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum with great enthusiasm. An exhibition of works by Hearn's son, the painter Kiyoshi Koizumi, was being held at the time, and when the guests said they wanted a poster of it, I asked a staff member, who kindly gave them one for free, which delighted them greatly. At Lafcadio Hearn's Old Residence, the guests loved the garden of the old residence and took many photographs. At Matsue Castle, I also guided them to Jozan Inari Shrine, which Hearn was fond of. When I asked whether the guests had chosen the Hotel where they were staying because they knew it stood on the site of the inn where Hearn had stayed during his first month in Matsue, they said they had not known this. They were surprised by the coincidence.

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Tour Report by SAKANESAN

I was born and brought up in Matsue City. I taught English at senior high schools in Shimane Prefecture for more than 30 years. I obtained certification as a national guide and interpreter after I retired. Unfortunately I could hardly work as a guide during the pandemic. Now I am very happy that more and more people have resumed visiting Japan. I like traveling in Japan and abroad. It is my pleasure to show my guests around my hometown and surrounding areas. They are full of historic sites, scenic spots and good places to eat. I am sure you will never regret visiting this region.