North Shore of Lake Shinji Part 2

 

Continuing on along the north shore of Lake Shinji, a sign that the lake is used for pleasure and not just commercial fishing.

Up ahead, Shinjiko Onsen and Matsue loom into view.

Matsue English Garden is now closed, but was still open when I passed by. Only Brits of my generation will recognize Bill and Ben, the Flowerpot Men, a childrens TV puppet show from long ago. 

Not sure that anyone at this place would know the reference, but it may also be a nod to the unique folk-art of Isshiki Kazari from Hirata, just along the lake.

With a few small beaches and shallow, calm water, I would expect swimming to be taking place, but swimming has been banned in the lake since 1959 due to water quality.

There was a plan to desalinate the lake, starting in 1974, but with algae blooms and other issues arising from the process it was abandoned in 1988.

In Winter about 40,000 geese and ducks migrate here and overwinter....

This is the largest source of Japanese Basket Clams in Japan. Corbicula japonica are found from Hokkaido to Kyushu, but Lake Shinji accounts for about 40% of the total catch in Japan.

Overfishing and pollution from agricultural runoff have decreased the catch, and now some days fishing is not allowed.

As I approach Shinjiko Onsen, the terminal of the Ichibata Railway, downtown Matsue id clearly visible.

On the opposite shore, the unique architecture of the Shimane Art Museum.

The previous post in this series was on Onotsu Shrine, where I stopped earlier along the lakefront.

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