Gesshoji Temple — Attraction in Matsue

Surrounded by bamboo forests and silence, you can fully enjoy the peaceful solitude of this temple. I was surprised there was no one else here besides the staff at the entrance. This area was really cool. I loved admiring the woodwork and unique designs of birds and flowers in each gate of the mausoleums. I’ve never seen anything like the large stone turtle, which added to the slightly eerie atmosphere. After walking around, you can step inside the tea house there and enjoy looking out at the Japanese garden while you wait for the next bus. The tourist loop bus stops across the street to the temple, so it is...

It's the old family cemetery for the Matsudaira clan that used to rule matsue back during the Edo period. The temple itself is quite old and major renovations are being done to fix it up. Hopefully it'll be repaired to it's former glory. The main sites are the burial grounds for the leaders over the years and a giant turtle statue that is said to bring good luck. Admission is reasonable at 700 yen, but I think it's 600 if you show your matsue castle ticket stub. I also tried their matcha tea set, which is pretty cheap at 600 yen. You get to enjoy the tea garden while you drink and...

Gesshoji Temple is such a peaceful and magical place. The family history here, along with the indescribable serenity, is reason enough to make the journey. But then you add the legendary man-eating tortoise.. Absolutely beyond description. This was such a unique place with so much history intertwined with myth, truly magical and a doorway back in time. Matsue Castle is only a jog away, but this left more of an impression on me. A great reminder that every trip is actually...