At Lake Tōgō, you can learn about Yotsudeami, a traditional fishing method. Two lift nets have been preserved in Matsuzaki for tourism. The area is also home to the festival traditions of Matsuzaki Shrine and two foot baths where eggs are prepared using hot spring water. Yurihama offers a range of themes for your trip: fishing techniques, shrine rituals, and a hands-on hot spring water activity.

Yotsudeami on Lake Tōgō

Yotsudeami is a traditional fishing method on Lake Tōgō. A special lift net with four bamboo supports is raised and lowered from a hut on the shore using a winch; the catch includes shrimp and small crucian carp. Each component has a different role: the hut serves as the operating base, the winch moves the net, and the four supports are part of its structure. Two traditional Yotsudeami installations have been preserved on the lakeshore in Matsuzaki for tourism. At their peak, there were about 24 or 25 installations there. This comparison shows the difference between the approximate historical number and the two installations preserved for tourism.

Matsuzaki Shrine: Tree and Festival Traditions

A sacred shiia tree stands on the grounds of Matsuzaki Shrine. It is estimated to be about 350 years old; its trunk circumference is 6 m and its height is 15 m. The age is an estimate, while the circumference and height are specific measurements of this natural monument.

The summer festival traditions of Matsuzaki Shrine include festival floats parading on the evening of the 14th day of the sixth month according to the old calendar. Children's sumo is also performed. The date follows the old calendar. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the date in advance.

Matsuzaki Shrine's Suigosai follows a different program. The shrine deity is welcomed by boat at the foot of Kamegatabana Castle; the boat travels around Lake Tōgō to a festival site on the lake. A ritual featuring the Urayasu-no-mai dance takes place there. The Suigosai is listed as taking place on July 20. For date planning, treat the two dates separately: the summer festival follows the old calendar, while July 20 is given for the Suigosai.

Foot Baths and Getting There

At Koi-no-yu foot bath in Matsuzaki, you can prepare eggs using hot spring water. If you plan to do this, check the facilities currently available at the site.

Travel from Okayama takes about three hours by Limited Express Super Inaba, with a transfer in Tottori. You can get off at either Matsuzaki Station or Kurayoshi Station. From either station, the onward journey by taxi or car takes about ten minutes. The train journey with a transfer and the onward trip from either of the two stations are separate legs of the journey. Check train schedules and transfer details before traveling.

For the broader travel overview: Tohaku District.