松江郷土館（興雲閣),島根県

The Matsue Kyodokan (local history museum) is located in the grounds of Matsue Castle.



The museum features displays of local history including old black & white photos of Matsue, local crafts and documents etc. The collection is hardly earth-shattering, but worth the entance price (which was free when I last visited).



The building itself is far more interesting, and is a wonderful example of Meiji Period architecture that incorporated Japanese design elements combined with western architecture.



It was built in 1903 for the princely sum of 13,489 yen by architect Risaburo Izumi, who also designed a bathouse in Yunotsu that now houses the Shinyu Gallery.



Local people referred to it as the "Russian Palace".



It was built for Emperor Meiji, who in the early years of his reign conducted six grand tours of Japan. Many towns built places for him to stay on the off-chance that he would visit. He never did come to Matsue.

Matsue Local History Museum
1-59 Tono-machi
Matsue-shi
Shimane
Open daily 08:30 to 17:00
Tel: 0852 22 3958

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