Bidding Farewell and Heading to Matsue
After spending four wonderful days at Mr. Iwamura's house—and over a week traveling together in total—it was finally time to move on.
Mr. Iwamura was incredibly kind, even giving me a ride to the station and helping me out right up until the very end.
With deep gratitude, I waved goodbye and set off for my next destination.
My journey took me past Okayama and straight into Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture.
It was my first time visiting Matsue, a city renowned for its beautiful nature and rich history.
Along the way, I caught a glimpse of Mount Daisen in the distance.
Towering at 1,709 meters (about 5,607 feet), it's the highest peak in the Chugoku region, and its majestic presence was truly awe-inspiring.
Mount Daisen
As the highest peak in the Chugoku region, Mount Daisen is a sacred volcanic giant known for its dual personality: the graceful "Izumo Fuji" profile from the west and its rugged, craggy ridges from the north. This historic center of mountain worship offers visitors a perfect blend of spiritual heritage, featuring ancient stone-paved shrine paths, and world-class outdoor activities ranging from scenic autumn hiking to winter skiing.
Fulfilling a Dairy Dream
I had arranged to stay at a friend's house in Matsue that night. After we met up, I finally got my hands on something I had been dreaming of trying for a long time: pasteurized milk (specifically, low-temperature pasteurized milk).
Unlike regular milk, which is pasteurized at high temperatures for a short time, this milk is pasteurized slowly at a lower temperature. This process preserves the milk's natural sweetness and rich flavor, bringing it closer to the taste of raw milk. Taking that first sip, I was amazed by how naturally sweet and rich it was. Since it's not something you can easily find in standard supermarkets, I was thrilled to finally fulfill this little dream while visiting the region. Between the beautiful scenery and this long-awaited treat, it was an incredibly fulfilling day.
