Sometimes, studying Japanese gets boring and you hit sort of a slump where you're not improving at all. You're sick of watching game shows with the members of Arashi trying to knock down a big, giant robot and win friendship points (yes, that was an actual show I actually saw). You're sick of みんなの日本語 or whatever book you're trying to teach yourself from, and all of the grammar is putting you to sleep.
Making friends with some of high quality people (nice, fun, funny people with great taste in everything) is the perfect way to get the motivation back. Most of the coolest people I've met in Japan don't speak English. I went to Matsue in Shimane and made friends with some amazing people last weekend.
Matsue is my new favorite place in Japan. It has everything. Matsue has a really interesting feel. In some ways, it really is like stepping back into old Japan; it’s like Kyoto without as many people. The roofs on the buildings are beautiful, old Japanese style roofs. There are shrines all over the place and the river running through Matsue really gives it a Kyoto feel. In other ways (especially right next to the JR station) it feels like a suburban wasteland full of chain stores and disappointing restaurants. In other ways, it feels like that kind of Horie / Omotesando type of city where stylish people drink coffee in fantastic cafes listening to great music and reading great books. I absolutely love Matsue.
I also went to Tottori, the least populated prefecture in Japan. Obviously amazing. I took this picture of Daisen (that mountain) on a perfect, sunny day. My great new friends and I were listening to Lou Reed and Neil Young while we were driving around this gorgeous mountain and I felt so happy. One of the best weekends of my life.
Haruna is a photographer. Look at her gorgeous old car!
In case you ever go to Matsue and don't have these incredible people to show you around like they did to me, you can go there to eat Izumo Soba, the most delicious soba I have ever tasted.
You could also do a bunch of other things:-Ride the Horikawa boat
-Eat Dango and this green mochi candy specially from Matsue (what is it called? It is delicious but very sugary)
-Go to one of the many art galleries (craft galleries, art school galleries, prefectural art gallery...)
-There are a lot of really great shops around Shimane University. Lots of little cafes around there, too.
-Walk by the river at night
-Visit Matsue Castle. It has never been damaged by war and it's beautiful.
-Visit the haunted-looking white house next to the equally haunted-looking shrine near Matsue castle. I took tons of pictures there.
I love Matsue.
13 comments:
Julie, I love your upbeat blog. I, too, am feeling frustrated with my Japanese learning. Your reminder about why we are working so hard to learn this difficult language was very timely for me: we want to be able to understand all these cool Japanese people that don't speak English. I am curious which JLPT level you are studying for, and where you are living in Japan. Please give me a holler if you are ever in Tokyo.
I'm also struggling with boredom with Minna no Nihongo (originally from 2005 but re-started from book 1 when I arrived in Japan last year and discovered I couldn't talk to anyone) and the Arashi game shows are tiresome here too.
How did you meet your fab photographer friends with cool cars? Any suggestions for the networking part?
Oh shit! I'm about to move right next door to Matsue! :D I'm going to heed your fangirling and go check it out sometime.
what is your e-mail address? I want to ask you a question about moving to Japan that's way too involved to get answered in the comments section lol
Thank you for your coming here: Matue-shi. I am a residence of this city. I am happy because you enjoyed visiting my hometown. According to your photos, you enjoyed Horikawa-yu-ran. It is very exciting.
A lot of sightseeing spots are in Shimane. If you have time, please visit Adachi-Bijyutukan, Izumo- Taisha and Iwami-Ginzan.
Shimane Kenmin
Green mochi candy name is maybe Wakakusa which is traditional Matsue’s confection since edo era.
You can google the word "Wakakusa Saiundo"
I'm sorry that I didn’t introduce my self before. My account name is Shimane Kenmin and I am a Japanese.
Are you sure her car isn't a Mitsuoka Viewt? I don't think you can see a plastic dashboard where the gauges are on a Jaguar, or those mirrors... I guess "old" is a relative term
Haha... I think watching Arashi on TV is fun =) Another city to visit when I am actually in Japan. =) Good Luck with the Japanese.
Hi Julie. i find your blog very refreshing, and i like it, not only because it is related to Japan, but also because we share some interests.
You see, even people from little european countries follow your blog.
I believe Matsue must be amazing. For now, i can only stare at the pictures you post.
This very simple video remembered me how difficult it must be to live in a foreign country, and how pleasent can be the simple things, such as "listening to great music and reading great books"
here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARqlA8hHOeo&feature=fvw
keep up the refreshing work. Ana
Glad you enjoyed Matsue. If you get the chance you should try travel and see the rest of Shimane. Judging by how much you liked Matsue you'll have a ball!
i love arashi! i like watching their shows. good luck with learning japanese!
My dad is from Matsue and I've been there a couple of times but I never thought it was cool. To me, people from outside of the Tokyo Metropolitan area are "inakamono" so I don't want to associate with them. :( I'm still young and stupid and can't appreciate what Matsue has to offer. I'm glad that a well cultured individual such as yourself likes Matsue so much. It's kind of embarrassing that my dad is from the country side, but I'll get over it when I'm older, hopefully.
Please, show these tons of pictures you have taken, i love hunted looking houses and areas ^^
Does Haruna have a blog?
she is very cute and wanna know more about her and her cool car hehehe :)
tokorode... sry for being such a KY
lulz
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