A wood discover resembling a kosatsu (signboard that introduced official edicts in feudal Japan) was lately erected exterior of the town corridor in Matsue, capital of Shimane Prefecture. The discover — written in sarcastic old-style Japanese — implored the native mayor to not prioritize “Osaka merchants” over “citizens who hold their hometown dear.” This kosatsu is proof of an ongoing controversy.
An Osaka-based actual property firm is at present setting up “Matsue the Tower,” a 19-story residential constructing, close to a few of Matsue’s most well-known historic landmarks. Local residents have been voicing opposition to the venture, claiming a excessive rise on this location will negatively impression native tourism, alter historic surroundings and set an undesirable precedent for future growth.
Construction is shifting ahead regardless of this disapproval, however essential conversations proceed as nicely.
The metropolis of nationwide, pure and notable treasures
The space round Matsue Castle is residence to preserved historic landscapes and fashionable buildings such because the prefectural authorities workplace. Image: スムース/Pixta
Shimane Prefecture sits within the southwest of Japan’s foremost island — accessible from Tokyo in about 90 minutes by way of home flight or in about seven hours by practice. Matsue is Shimane’s prefectural capital and largest metropolis by inhabitants (slightly below 200,000 residents have been counted in 2023).
Matsue was based within the early seventeenth century after the Horio clan — feudal lords — have been granted governance of what’s now jap Shimane by shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Horio clan oversaw the development of Matsue Castle, which was accomplished in 1611 and nonetheless maintains its unique construction right now. Now, Matsue Castle is a chosen nationwide treasure and certainly one of solely 12 Japanese castles that preserves a centuries-old tower.
A close-by samurai residential district and canals surrounding Matsue Castle have additionally modified little prior to now few centuries. This preservation of historic locales mixed with the perpetuation of traditions akin to tea ceremony tradition and distinctive native festivals infuse Matsue with a definite “castle town atmosphere.”
Lake Shinji is taken into account a “Wetland of International Importance” underneath the Ramsar Convention. The lake helps numerous animal species, together with migratory birds. Image: takapon/Pixta
Despite being Shimane’s largest metropolis, Matsue coexists with surrounding nature. The metropolis sits on the shore of Lake Shinji, Japan’s seventh largest lake. Visitors and residents alike adore Lake Shinji for its beautiful sunsets and abundance of meals akin to shijimi (basket clams) — a delicacy harvested by native fishermen and bought throughout Japan.
Matsue’s residents additionally treasure the views of mountains surrounding the town — surroundings that was praised by the Nineteenth-century creator (and former Matsue resident) Lafcadio Hearn in his guide Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan. These mountains have remained seen from the town over centuries as a result of Matsue’s growth has not included the development of skyscrapers (at present the town’s tallest constructing is simply 75 meters excessive).
Controversy stirs the fort city
A view from Matsue Castle. Current metropolis ordinances emphasize that new development shouldn’t impede views seen from this landmark. Image: PIXSTAR/Pixta
To enable new growth whereas preserving historic and pure landscapes, Matsue at present enforces ordinances that prohibit the peak, shade and different options of recent buildings in sure neighborhoods.
In 2023, Mayor Akihito Uesada and the Matsueshi Keikan Shingi Kai (Matsue City Landscape Council) decided that the Osaka-based Keihan Real Estate Company’s plan to assemble a 19-story (57-meter-tall) residential constructing close to Matsue Castle complied with metropolis ordinances. Thus, the town provided no objections to the venture.
However, the residents’ group Matsue Fuukei Kaigi (Matsue Scenery Conference) opposed the plan, stating that attributable to blind spots in present ordinances the Landscape Council solely thought-about whether or not views seen from Matsue Castle’s tower can be obstructed — ignoring the impression on pedestrians’ views and the general “harmony” of the town heart’s surroundings.
Multiple “kosatsu” notices have been posted within the metropolis, protesting Keihan Real Estate’s growth whereas nodding at Matsue’s fort city id. Image: Laura Payne
Petitions and an official request for reconsideration have been subsequently submitted by the Scenery Conference, a majority of Landscape Council members and an area neighborhood affiliation — which had confirmed that a couple of dozen of the 36 neighborhood associations in Matsue Castle’s neighborhood opposed the event.
However, the concept of reconsideration has been rebuffed on the grounds that the event follows present legal guidelines, standing in a chosen “Commercial Zone” the place services may be constructed freely so long as they don’t violate ordinances. Moreover, metropolis officers have acknowledged that since it is a non-public venture, they don’t management it.
Mayor Uesada’s foremost response in response to protests has been to ask Keihan Real Estate to think about decreasing the peak of their constructing. Keihan Real Estate has up to now rejected this suggestion, asserting that their plan is authorized and that modifications might impression profitability.
Debating future impacts
Shimane has been taking motion to draw worldwide vacationers akin to making a journey web site geared toward folks attending the 2025 Osaka World Expo. Image: kazukiatuko/Pixta
Like many areas exterior of main city hubs, Shimane is grappling with an growing older inhabitants and the exodus of younger folks to bigger cities — a matter pushed by components akin to restricted native job alternatives. The weight of those issues is compounded by the truth that Shimane is Japan’s second least-populated prefecture.
Tourism — significantly inbound tourism — is one native trade that Shimane is working to develop as a result of in comparison with locations just like the adjoining Hiroshima Prefecture, Shimane receives few worldwide guests. In reality, information from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that Shimane was Japan’s least-visited prefecture for “sightseeing and leisure” amongst worldwide vacationers in 2023.
Opponents of Keihan Real Estate’s growth plan declare that altering central Matsue’s panorama with high-rise residences might hinder the rising tourism trade by diminishing Matsue’s historic ambiance. Moreover, opponents fear that this growth’s approval might encourage the development of extra excessive rises.
City officers are at present discussing updates to native ordinances that may set clearer restrictions on options akin to constructing top. However, these updates would solely apply to future growth initiatives.
The dialog continues
Local artist Hiro Ajiki lately painted this mural in central Matsue. It options angels and a heart-shaped balloon that bears the message: “Give us back the sky.” Image: Laura Payne
Construction of Matsue the Tower is projected to complete in 2026. In the meantime, voices of disapproval proceed.
Multiple kosatsu notices have appeared across the metropolis displaying protest messages. Meanwhile, native artist Hiro Ajiki painted a Banksy-esque mural of angels wanting in direction of the development web site to lift consciousness of the controversy.
The Matsue Scenery Conference opened a web-based petition opposing the development in January 2024. Additionally, in February 2025 the Scenery Conference introduced plans to sponsor a mayoral candidate in upcoming metropolis elections — hoping to formally convey their voices into native politics.
The query of how a metropolis can protect native heritage whereas adapting to the longer term is a typical but sophisticated query, and Matsue continues to seek for a solution.
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