SHIMANE: In Search of Izumo's Gardens Past and Present

Overview

Shimane Prefecture, formerly known as Izumo, is home to a number of superb Japanese gardens — some traditional, others laid out more recently. At the Adachi Museum of Art, visitors will find one of the finest examples in all Japan. Over the centuries, the region has developed a profound and distinctive culture, which is reflected in its "Izumo-style" gardens, as well as a less formal approach to the tea ceremony that was embraced by the local populace. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Sheila Cliffe explores a range of different Japanese gardens, to discover the sensibility and depth that underlies Shimane's garden culture.