光応用計測研究室

　This page contains useful information for those who will be living in Shimane Prefecture! This page mainly summarizes the attractions of Shimane Prefecture, how to access the prefecture, and information about the surrounding facilities.
We hope this page will help you to enjoy and enrich your life in Shimane Prefecture.

　Shimane Prefecture is a region with many nature and scenic towns, where historical heritage and traditional culture coexist.

　 The mild climate allows visitors to enjoy the four seasons unique to Japan, and there are many attractive sightseeing spots such as World Heritage sites and national treasures that are woven into the rich natural environment. Among these, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, the first mining site in Asia to be registered as a World Heritage Site in 2007. Tamatsukuri Hot Springs, known as a hot spring for beautiful skin and with the longest history in Shimane Prefecture. Matsue Castle, a national treasure and one of only 12 remaining castles in Japan, is a particularly famous tourist attraction.

　Let’s enjoy life in this quintessentially Japanese Shimane!

　The main ways to access Shimane are by train, airplane, and highway bus. *

　By train, it takes about 6 hours from Tokyo to Matsue and costs about 18,000 yen. There are also sleeper trains that depart at night, allowing you to sleep in your bed until the morning when you arrive at your destination, making your trip more comfortable.

　 By plane, you can go from Tokyo, Aichi, or Osaka. Fares vary depending on the time of year, but range from 20,000 yen to 40,000 yen. Overseas flights do not serve airports in Shimane Prefecture. There is an airport in the neighboring city of Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, which can be reached from Seoul, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

　 Below is an example of how to get to Shimane from major cities in Japan by train or plane.

*reference: https://www.visit-matsue.com/access

Hospitals in Matsue

　Here we will introduce hospitals in Matsue. In Matsue, there are hospitals where foreign patients can receive medical care at easy, and where medical personnel can provide proper healthcare. They respond using translation calls and apps.

　For more details, please visit the below link for each hospital’s homepage.

Matsue Memorial Hospital(松江記念病院)
https://www.souken-kai.or.jp/mmh/index.html

Japanese Red Cross Society(松江赤十字病院)
https://www.matsue.jrc.or.jp/

Other medical institutions in Shimane
https://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/bousai_info/medical/iryo/shimaneno_iryo/gaikokujinukeiretaiseiseibi.html

For people enrolling into National Health Insurance

　Everyone living in Japan is required to enroll in health insurance. For those not enrolled into healthcare via a company, you are required to enroll into National Health Insurance. Once you complete these procedures at the city hall’s Insurance and Pension Division, you will receive your National Health Insurance Card. Make sure to bring your health insurance card when visiting a clinic or a hospital.

　There are many residences around Shimane University. The rent market price is about 40,000 yen for a single person, about 60,000 yen for a room for two people, and about 70,000 yen for a family of 3-4 people.　If you want to live within walking distance from the university, the following towns are recommended.

　- Nishikawatsu cho (西川津町)
　- Gakuenn icchome (学園1丁目)
　- Gakuennn icchome (学園2丁目)
　- Sugata cho (菅田町)

　For more information, please visit the list of real estate companies in Matsue page linked below.

https://house.goo.ne.jp/rent/chugoku_ag/area_shimane/32201.html

　Supermarkets are indispensable in everyday life. In Matsue, there is a supermarket called “AEON”. It is 5 minutes on foot from the university and open 24 hours. In addition, home improvement center “Juntendo” is 3 minutes and drug store “Wellness” is a minute from the university. If you live in Matsue, you will not worry about your daily necessities.