Written by Aarohi Narain
Take a breather at Karakoro Plaza, a shopping complex and events space housed in the former Matsue branch of the Bank of Japan. The building is a registered Tangible Cultural Property.
Background
The name is a reference to the sound of geta clogs click-clacking down the street, as rendered by writer Lafcadio Hearn. You may also notice a slight Greek flair in the design and fonts — another nod to Hearn, who traced his heritage to Greece and Ireland.
What to expect at Karakoro Plaza
Karakoro Plaza is designed for shopping, dining, and resting.
Inside, there are a range of restaurants, including an unmanned pizzeria, a cafe for light meals, and a sake bar. There is also an outdoor seating area.
In addition, Yaoyorozu Market houses a formidable collection of Shimane-specific souvenirs, from shijimi clam miso soup to pocket-sized Lafcadio Hearn volumes in English.
Other than that, take time to explore the inside of the building, visit the restroom, and hop on over to the tourist information desk for some handy pamphlets about local happenings and activities.
