We went to the heart of Shibuya - a neighbourhood I had wanted to visit for a long time. We started with Shibuya station and the Hachiko dog statue just across the street. I was moved by the story of a beautiful friendship at the origin of this little monument, but what impressed me the most was the famous Shibuya crossing, beautiful to see and photograph.

We had lunch at the Suju Dining in Shibuya. The immersion in Japanese cuisine went smoothly thanks to the well-balanced, light and simply delicious menu.

Takeshita-dori is a particularly busy street in the Harajuku district. Shops with unlikely clothes, colourful cocktails, countless stands with pancakes and even a gigantic rainbow cotton candy - you can find everything! I could spend hours there.

This neighbourhood is part of Ura-Harajuku. In this pedestrian zone, the independent shops and cafés create the atmosphere. There are also far fewer people, which allows you to fully enjoy the walk.

It is in the Daikanyama district that we found the Kyu Asakura house, a private residence built in 1919, magnificently preserved which gives a beautiful glimpse into a traditional Japanese house. With its wooden architecture and meticulously maintained garden, it is a real hidden jewel in the district. The discovery of Daikanyama continued with its quiet streets. I loved Tsutaya's bookstore with its cosy and modern design, but it was definitely a small shop with vintage cameras that stole my heart.

This small restaurant only has a few tables and the atmosphere was very peaceful and relaxing. A perfect place to enjoy raw fish, fresh vegetables and a glass of white wine.

I really appreciated the elegant and sober design of this establishment. A perfect place to enjoy a hot shower, a cosy bed and a well-deserved rest before the morning awakening the next day.

The comfortable seats, legroom and discreet service were sleep inducing, but the spectacular view of Tokyo did not allow me to close my eyes and I took a lot of pictures.

Rainy weather only added to the mystery of the religious atmosphere there. Thanks to our guides, I learned that once a year, the deities meet there to decide, among other things, on human love relationships. It is not surprising that we came across several weddings there....

We learnt more about the history of this region, as well as look at a permanent collection dedicated to the great sanctuary of Izumo and admire an impressive gallery of bronze artefacts. As a photographer, I particularly liked the very modern building that houses the museum, with its clean lines and beautiful light.

We were very satisfied with the delicious lunch we had at the main restaurant Heiwa Soba. I could not imagine a better place to taste one of the region's specialities.

The walk around the Hinomisaki lighthouse was very pleasant. The sea, the changing sky and a white lighthouse allowed some rather picturesque views.

A boat tour that was planned for that day could not be done due to the very wet weather. Here, it is a unique place where you can find, among other things, countless samples of the world's beach sand and the world's largest hourglass suspended from the ceiling.

The ryokan was an old wooden house, full of charm, with a rather modern decor. We tasted fresh salads, seafood and fish.

The evening was far from over and after dinner we went to the Iwami Kagura show at the Ryuonzaki Shrine in Yunotsu. We watched two performances. I spent a really extraordinary time admiring the fantastic costumes and learning more about Japanese mythology, while laughing with the rest of the audience.

Nogawaya is an inn founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Before I enjoyed my futon, prepared during my absence, I had the chance to relax in a private onsen available in this establishment.

Iwami Ginzan is one of Japan's largest silver mines, which, at its peak, produced about one-third of the world's silver production. Today, the entire region around this mine, which is located in the city of Oda, is a World Heritage Site. In the Iwami Ginzan Heritage Centre we learned a lot about the history of this unique place in the world, as well as the techniques used in the mine at the time. This was a perfect introduction before the visit to the mine itself.

It was just the right time to admire Iwami Ginzan Park with its beautiful trees and lush, beautiful greenery in the rain. Once there, we entered one of the galleries that is open to the public - the Ryugenji.

Heavy rain only added to the incredible atmosphere of this charming village, with its old wooden houses. In Rakan-ji temple, many small stone bridges lead to Buddhist statues, housed in three caves. It was an unforgettable experience.

An ideal place to enjoy delicious fish in a traditional Japanese setting.

Despite having been to Japan several times before, I have never had the opportunity to visit a castle. I was not disappointed. Matsue Castle proved to be both very imposing and elegant, thanks to the slightly curved roofs that make the silhouette of this building both graceful and majestic. It was with great pleasure that I explored the interiors of the castle and learned more about its history. What an opportunity to visit one of the last authentic dungeons preserved in Japan! Once we climbed to the very top floor of the castle, we were dazzled by a breathtaking and panoramic view of the surroundings. A perfect opportunity to take some wide-angle photos.

After the visit to the castle, we should have taken a boat ride on the Horikawa River. Alas, once again, due to the bad weather, we instead went to a tea house, located in the Meimei-an garden in the town of Matsue. It was a real moment of relaxation.

That evening we had dinner at the Gyokusen Hotel, where we also spent the night. I was amazed by the beauty of the plates and a simply magnificent presentation of the dishes. Among the delicious fish, crunchy vegetables and soups with surprising flavours, we had the chance to taste beef from the region.

The sumptuous lobby, with a beautiful view of the garden, allowed us to guess the high level of comfort of the rooms awaiting us.

I really enjoyed this little morning walk, still in the rain and in the middle of lush vegetation.

The discovery of Shimane Prefecture would not be complete without a visit to a sake brewery. Crystal clear water, excellent quality rice and skilled brewers - that's what it takes to make exquisite sake in this region.

The museum building houses a beautiful collection of Japanese modern art. Among other things, there are works by Yokoyama Taikan, including the famous "Autumn Leaves", a painting that summarizes everything that is best about modern Japanese painting. While admiring the collections, I spent a lot of time contemplating the gardens surrounding the museum building. Designed as real living tableaux that can be seen by visitors through the many windows that act as a frame, the gardens of the Adachi Museum marvel with their harmony. It is very clear why they are classified among the most beautiful gardens in Japan.

In the Koyokan ryokan, for the first time ever, I had the opportunity to taste Buddhist cuisine, 100% vegetarian. It was a real taste discovery and I have never eaten anything like it. It was a great pleasure to enjoy this extraordinary meal in a quiet establishment, located near the Yasugi Kiyomizu-dera temple that we visited shortly afterwards.

I especially enjoyed the stroll in this small port village. The old wooden houses, very few tourists and an atmosphere like in another era - I think it was an ideal way to end our escapade in Shimane prefecture.

During a short stay in Japan, splitting the visit between several famous Tokyo sites and Shimane Prefecture is a good way to get to know this dream country a little better. Undoubtedly, it is an ideal route for those who appreciate the extraordinary blend of an ultra-modern and bubbling city with small villages that take you back in time. You can travel while continuously enjoying a plethora of exceptional and surprising dishes.