Secrets of San’in | Explore a Magical World of Flowers and Birds in the San’in City of Matsue
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With begonias galore and more birds than you can even think of, this unique destination is a beautiful riot of color and sound.
Matsue is a city on Japan's western coast belted by lakes and rivers, with a beautiful castle and a long history as the seat of local power in the San'in region, but some visitors arrive in the city ready to see something altogether different. Part dreamy greenhouse full of flowers of every color of the rainbow, and part bird zoo with birds big and small, fierce and friendly, Matsue Vogel Park is a unique destination right on the shore of Matsue's Lake Shinji, and a convenient stop on the Ichibata Electric Railway line that departs from downtown Matsue. This cross between a botanical garden and an avian menagerie is the best place around to check out (and photograph) all the glamor that nature has to offer, and with roofs covering most of the park, it's a good choice rain or shine.
Make your way past the row of haughty owls looking on at the park's entrance, and the first thing you'll see inside Matsue Vogel Park is the enormous temperature-controlled greenhouse. While many garden greenhouses are kept hot and humid for tropical plants, this one is actually quite comfortably cool and dry even throughout the summer, because the 10,000 leafy-green plants and flashy flowerpots at the park do best in a breezier climate. The room's focus is begonias, which hang down from the ceiling and shoot up from the floor in just about every color you could imagine, but shocking pink and purple fuchsias add their own touch of fun to the vibrant room, all against a calmer background of green.
Just about every part of the Matsue Vogel Park greenhouse is the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot, but there are certain areas that are clear favorites for photographers and selfie takers alike. The huge heart-shaped frame of brilliant pink flowers is a clear go-to photo spot for just about everyone!
But Matsue Vogel Park isn't just about the flowers, and while there are a few owls that spend their days surrounded by flowers in the greenhouse, those are just a preview of what's to come! Let the unique 140-meter ramp-style escalator take you up into the hills behind the greenhouse, and when you finally arrive at the top, follow the roofed outdoor path to see all the birds living in this bird park!
Each building along the way has a different set up, and a different collection of birds inside, with 90 different species throughout the park. The first large room is crowded with flamingos, swans, ducks, and a flock of almost neon orange ibises, which like to join groups of humans on the path as they walk through the room. The endearing little birds are pros when it comes to convincing visitors to buy them a cup of bird feed, and they'll snap it up right out of a human hand using their long, skinny beaks.
Further down the road, visitors can purchase a cup of cut grapes instead, this time as a present for huge toucans or emerald-green turacos, which they will happily gobble down in 0 seconds flat as they perch heavily on your arm.
Of course, most of the birds at Matsue Vogel Park aren't just roaming freely and looking for treats! Many of the buildings have enclosures for unique birds of all kinds, from local Japanese varieties to rare species seen much less often. One building has silver pheasants and steppe eagles, not far from the penguins who slip in and out of their pool, or hornbills who look out over their chunky beaks.
The park's mascot, Pakkun, is a somewhat mysterious mix of bird traits not found in any one real species, but signs at the park will tell you that he was largely inspired by the hornbill. Do you see the resemblance?
But the most charismatic and well-loved resident of all at Matsue Vogel Park isn't the penguins or the shoebills, but one enormous shoebill named Fudo. When you look at the striking figure of a shoebill, it's not so hard to believe that birds are really just feather-covered dinosaurs, and this handsome man looks on stoically as visitors pass by his enclosure next to the building entrance.
Weather permitting, Matsue Vogel Park holds a number of bird shows of all kinds each day, where birds show off their skills and their beautiful plumage by flying through the air. Penguin lovers will also appreciate the regular march of the penguins, although their journey is actually a very easy one through the middle of a building!
Past the main bird buildings, the road leads to a scenic duck pond and paddocks where Matsue Vogel Park keeps a collection of emus, plus a few non-avian friends to keep them company, so don't forget to say hi to the sheep when you walk past!
Between the thousands of flowers and dozens of birds, it's no wonder Matsue Vogel Park has become a destination for visitors heading through Japan's San'in region. Thanks to the convenient roofs covering the greenhouse, enclosures, and most of the outside path, it's even a great place for rainy days, when nearby Lake Shinji starts to look a little gloomy!
Matsue Vogel Park (松江フォーゲルパーク)
52 Ogakicho, Matsue, Shimane
Admission:
Foreign Visitors: adults 1,050 yen / children 530 yen
General Admission: adults 1,500 yen / children 750 yen
Hours:
April to September: 9:00 – 17:30
October to March: 9:00 – 17:00
Official Website (en)
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Details
NAME:Matsue Vogel Park (松江フォーゲルパーク)
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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