2026 Gotsu Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in February)

#falladventures What is this Place? The Imai Art Museum, nestled in the countryside of Gotsu City, Shimane, is a cultural treasure born from one family's passion. Founded by Hisayoshi Imai, the second president of the Imai Corporation, this museum opened in 1995 to share his lifetime of art collecting with the community. Housed in a beautiful white earthen storehouse, it seamlessly blends with the rural landscape and features a rotating collection of Japanese and Western paintings, scrolls, and exquisite Korean ceramics. Why This Place for a Family Trip? This museum offers a personal and intimate art experience, perfect for families. The manageable size is less daunting for children, and the variety of art—from colorful paintings to delicate porcelain—provides plenty to spark curiosity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show kids how one person's passion can create a beautiful gift for an entire community, all set against a peaceful, picturesque backdrop. Your Perfect Family Itinerary · Morning (10:30 AM): Arrive and explore the tranquil grounds. The unique architecture of the white storehouse itself is a work of art. · Mid-Morning (11:00 AM): Inside, play "Find Your Favorite." Have each family member choose their favorite painting or ceramic piece. The rotating exhibits mean there's always something new to see. · Afternoon (12:30 PM): Enjoy a picnic in the surrounding countryside or find a local café in Gotsu City. Discuss the art you saw and the story of the collector who brought it all together. Top Tips for Families · Check the Schedule: Visit the museum's website to see the current themed exhibition—this can help gauge interest for younger visitors. · Connect the Dots: Share the story of Hisayoshi Imai with your kids—a businessman who loved art so much he built a museum to share it! · Keep it Short: A 60-90 minute visit is perfect for maintaining young attention spans. · Explore the Area: Combine your trip with a visit to the nearby Gotsu coastline or other Shimane attractions like the Adachi Museum of Art. Hashtag: #ShimaneFamilyCulture Step into a story of passion and preservation. The Imai Art Museum is a peaceful and inspiring cultural stop that the whole family can enjoy.

#falladventures What is this Place? Perched in the scenic coastal city of Gotsu in Shimane Prefecture, the Imai Art Museum is a unique cultural gem that beautifully blends art with its natural surroundings. Unlike a traditional big-city museum, this intimate venue often features modern and contemporary works, including stunning glass art, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sea of Japan. It’s a place where the lines between the artwork inside and the landscape outside gracefully blur. Why This Place for a Family Trip? This museum offers a manageable and engaging cultural experience for families. Its smaller scale is less overwhelming for children, and the frequent presence of luminous glass sculptures and vibrant paintings can captivate young imaginations. The combination of art inside and the coastal views outside provides a perfect balance, ensuring that even those with shorter attention spans will find something to enjoy. Your Perfect Family Itinerary · Morning (10:30 AM): Arrive and explore the main exhibition halls. Encourage your kids to pick their favorite piece of art—what colors or shapes do they like best? · Mid-Day (12:00 PM): Enjoy lunch. The museum may have a café, or you can pack a picnic to enjoy at a nearby park with ocean views. · Afternoon (1:30 PM): Take a stroll in the museum’s outdoor areas or the nearby Gotsu coastline. Skip stones on the beach or simply enjoy the fresh sea air as a perfect counterpoint to the art indoors. Top Tips for Families · Check Exhibits First: Look up the museum’s website to see the current exhibition—colorful or sculptural displays are often a bigger hit with kids. · Make it a Game: Turn the visit into a simple “I Spy” for art, looking for specific colors or subjects in the paintings and sculptures. · Respectful Exploration: Remind kids to use “indoor voices” and not touch the artwork, framing it as being a good art detective. · Combine the Trip: Pair your visit with a stop at the nearby Gotsu Historical and Folk Museum or a relaxing break at a local beach. Hashtag: #ShimaneFamilyDiscovery Discover a world where art meets the ocean. The Imai Art Museum is a refreshing and inspiring stop for a cultured family day out.

The popular hot spring resort "Kaze no Kuni" is located in the Iwami region of Shimane Prefecture. In addition to accommodation facilities, the vast 33-hectare site offers a variety of experience facilities. For example, there is the craft beer brewery "Iwami Beer," the "Kaze no Kobo" where you can experience papermaking, sports facilities where you can enjoy ground golf and tennis, a campsite with a dog run, and even the "Kaze no Butai" where Iwami Kagura is held. There is also the restaurant "MORI KAZE KITCHEN," and of course the hot spring facility where you can enjoy Shimane's famous beauty-enhancing waters (day trips are also possible). The latest highlights are the glamping in spherical and dome-shaped tents and the treehouse! It's like staying in a secret base in the forest, and it tickles your sense of adventure. The main building, "The Main," has been completely renovated in recent years and has been reborn with a stylish architectural design with a Nordic taste. The rooms are simple but spacious, and the facilities are well-equipped and very relaxing. The meals, which use plenty of local ingredients and regional cuisine, are fresh and delicious. Each dish is carefully prepared, and they are so delicious that your cheeks will fall off. There is a large pond in front of the main building, and the scenery lit up by the morning sun is spectacular. It was a luxurious hot spring resort that you won't get bored of even if you stay there for a whole day. #trip accommodation report #Shimane Prefecture #Hot spring inn #Glamping #Spectacular view