It is said that each day hundreds of thousands of people cross the scramble crossing at Shibuya. You should definitely see the waves of people passing by each other. Shibuya is also one of the main stations in the Tokyo metropolis. In front of the station stands a statue of Hachiko, a monument famous throughout Japan. As I was very moved when I saw the movie that told his story, I was pleased to discover the actual place. You should also try visiting Konno Hachimangu Shrine, which has a calm atmosphere and is located a little way away from the Shibuya crossroads. Lastly, I recommend Shibuya Hikarie. This shopping mall has a Sky Lobby on the 11th floor, with beautiful views of the scenery.

Sushi Gonpachi Shibuya is a restaurant to take note of. It has sophisticated dishes made with a wide variety of fish, and excellent views of Tokyo. I was able to try sushi that I had not eaten before. I recommend it to give yourself a special reward.

Takeshita-dori Street is an incredibly busy pedestrian street in Tokyo. It is notably frequented by young Japanese people. There are lots of shops selling the latest popular fashions.

Ura-Harajuku, nicknamed "Ura-hara" in Japanese, is part of Harajuku. You can find famous brands and quiet cafes here. Many creative and fashionable items are gathered in this street.

Daikanyama is a quiet and calm area with a special atmosphere, and one of my favorite places in Tokyo. If you stroll through this part of town, you can find fashionable cafes, and terraces, rare in Tokyo. The Asakura House, one of the oldest residences in Tokyo, is located in Daikanyama. It is a wooden building, in traditional Japanese style, constructed in the early twentieth century. The garden of this residence was also lovely.

Kakureya Shibuten is a restaurant located in a quiet street in Shibuya. The fish-based dishes I consumed in its friendly atmosphere were delicious and sophisticated; it was a wonderful restaurant.

The greatest advantage of the Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel is its location. It is situated around 50m from Shibuya Crossing, and is an ideal location from which to enjoy this area. The rooms are comfortable, and the hotel offered a huge breakfast.

Haneda Airport is easily accessible on the subway from Shibuya. I was very surprised by the comfortable and efficient operations there. Everything moved smoothly, so the waiting time was short. There were ample services, including lots of shops and eateries. The flight was extremely punctual.

Izumo Shrine is Japan's oldest shrine, surrounded by lush greenery. The main shrine of Izumo Shrine is a huge building, boasting a height of around 24m, and it is said that all the deities of Japan gather here once each year. Izumo Shrine is also known for its large sacred rope (shimenawa). It weighs several tons! In the nearby museum, you can discover the roots of the shrine and trace the local history. You should certainly visit here to understand this place.

Izumo soba are Japanese noodles made of buckwheat. This dish, overflowing with originality, is one of the local dishes of this area. Heiwa Soba, a small, traditional family-run restaurant, is a good place to try these noodles.

I really enjoyed the Hinomisaki Lighthouse on the beautiful coastline of the Sea of Japan. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse, facing the sea, and admire the sweeping view of the gorgeous scenery. This lighthouse was chosen as one of the "100 historic lighthouses of the world."

Tomogaura pleasure boat experience allows you to discover the cliffs and caves guided by a local boatman. It seems that the boat proceeds underneath the mountain. You can also enjoy nearby Kotogahama beach, famous for its "singing sand." You really can hear sounds when you walk on the sand. It's an astonishing phenomenon.

Iwami Kagura is a local traditional art form. There are many myths in this area. You can feel its history, traced back to the Japanese myths, through the gorgeous costumes, traditional music, and performance. It's a good experience at the end of a day sightseeing in Shimane Prefecture.

Yunotsu Onsen Nogawaya Ryokan is a traditional Japanese accommodation (ryokan). The service there is wonderful, and you can soak up the extremely unique atmosphere. As in other ryokan, there are traditional Japanese onsen (hot springs) in the hotel. I really enjoyed sleeping on a futon in a traditional Japanese-style room.

The remains of Iwami Ginzan was one of the places I liked the most on this trip. This silver mine is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are galleries here where you can learn about the history of the mine. One other point of interest was Omori village and its townscape. It felt as though I had traveled backwards in time. I particularly liked the Gohyakurakan, 500 stone statues that I saw around the Buddha at Rakanji Temple. Each statue has its own character and a different expression.

Dan-DAN is the best restaurant to taste seafood. You can eat what you wish at its buffet. As you gaze at the scenery of the Sea of Japan, this restaurant offers delights to taste and to see.

I was thrilled by Matsue Castle, the tower keep of which is designated a National Treasure. This castle, built in the 17th century, is made of wood, and is extremely well preserved. I could scarcely imagine that a Japanese castle from this time period could be preserved like this. Further, it was built surrounded by a moat, which is rare in Japan. From the top of the fifth floor, there is a 360-degree view over the town.

The moat around Matsue Castle has been preserved so as to be the same as it was when the castle was built. Try boarding the Horikawa Pleasure Boat and seeing the landscapes. If you are lucky, you might be able to see a beautiful sunset behind the castle.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic meal at the restaurant in HOTEL GYOKUSEN, a ryokan. I had my fill of various delicious dishes, which were also visually impressive. There is a footbath a few meters from the hotel.

Gesshoji Temple is a sacred place, a temple where the tombs of the feudal lords of Matsue are historically located. In this uncrowded place, separated from the central area, you can slip back in time to a past age. The tour of the site ended with tea and some delicious local confections.

Have you ever thought that you'd like to know how to make Japanese sake? Yoshida Shuzo is a family-run brewery that has inherited genuine Japanese tradition. You can learn how Japanese rice wine is made and try the richness of this drink.

Adachi Museum of Art is a rare art museum situated in the middle of peaceful nature. The unique feature of this place is that it was built around a sublime Japanese garden. The garden has been chosen as the most beautiful Japanese garden. Looking upon the garden from the large windows creates a fantastical picture. This garden that can be seen in all four seasons is truly living art.

The Koyokan is famous for its shojin ryori (refined vegetarian Buddhist cuisine), with beautifully arranged fine food, all of which pleases both the eyes and the tongue. The arrangement of the food is a work of art. The chef created the food in imitation of a fish for the pleasure of those eating it.

My trip this time has taught me that Japan really is a destination full of surprises. There are many rich locations in Japan. If you are planning a trip to Japan, I definitely recommend that you add Shimane to your destinations. It will surely be a very interesting leg of your trip, allowing you to experience a new side of Japan.