Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum - Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence Admission Ticket (Shimane)

■Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum The Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum is a literary museum located on Shiomi-Nawate, north of Matsue Castle, where you can trace the footsteps of Lafcadio Hearn. Lafcadio Hearn lived in Matsue for about 1 year and 3 months, from late August 1890 (Meiji 23) until November of the following year. During that time, he married Koizumi Setsu and, while teaching as an English teacher, deepened his knowledge of Japan, later publishing many works. Based on the concept of “what his eyes saw,” “what his ears heard,” and “what resonated in his heart,” the museum introduces Hearn’s 54-year life in chronological order. In addition to displaying his cherished possessions, original manuscripts, and first editions, the “Retelling” corner allows you to enjoy ghost stories from the San’in region that Hearn retold, with readings by Shiro Sano and music by Kyoji Yamamoto.

※Special Exhibition “Koizumi Setsu: Living as Lafcadio Hearn’s Wife” Phase 2 （June 13, 2025 - September 6, 2026） Koizumi Setsu, the model for the protagonist of the NHK serial TV novel “Bakebake,” lived a positive life despite many hardships. We are holding a special exhibition that focuses on Setsu, the wife who devoted herself to her husband Hearn’s literary retellings. To better enjoy the drama, please come and see the story of Setsu, who overcame hardships and lived a positive life.

■Lafcadio Hearn’s Former Residence Next to the memorial museum is Lafcadio Hearn’s Former Residence, where he lived with his wife Setsu for about 5 months (a National Historic Site). Hearn wished to “live in a samurai’s residence with a garden” and came to live in a samurai residence along the inner moat of Matsue Castle. In Chapter 16 of “Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan,” “A Japanese Garden,” he describes the charm of this house in detail. The rooms with views of the three gardens and the garden that Hearn loved to gaze at are preserved as they were, and you can enjoy their seasonal expressions.

※A place designated as one of “Japan’s 100 Best Roads” that retains the atmosphere of a castle town “Shiomi-Nawate,” where the former residence is located, is a designated traditional scenic area of Matsue City, with a row of samurai residences that still have their long gates and walls. It is also an atmospheric place chosen as one of “Japan’s 100 Best Roads,” where you can feel the spirit of the Meiji-era town where Hearn lived.