松江日和(まつえびより)

Matsue Biyori is a whole-house stay at Nakahara-cho in Matsue, Shimane, a city known for its water. The interior runs to 140 square metres and it takes one to six guests.

There is a courtyard, and the living room occupies a converted kura storehouse. Time passes differently inside a kura, with the outside sound held back. The kitchen has a three-ring induction hob, and free Wi-Fi runs throughout. Scent has been arranged in the bedroom and the washroom, leaving something behind at the end of the day.

Dogs may stay. A crate, bowls and pet sheets are provided, though the house recommends bringing what your dog is used to. Up to two dogs are accepted, no larger than medium size, kept indoors at home, vaccinated against rabies and with a five-way or broader combination vaccine given between two weeks and a year ago, and at least four months old. Female dogs must show no signs of being in season and must not be in heat or pregnant. Accidents must be cleaned up promptly, and a dog left in the house while you are out must be in its crate.

Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station is three minutes' walk, and bicycles can be hired there, so you can head straight into town. A Lawson is five minutes away, a FamilyMart eight, and Matsue Castle fifteen. The castle was designated a National Treasure in July 2015. A nearby shrine enshrines Naomasa, first lord of the Matsudaira house of the Matsue domain, together with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the seventh lord Matsudaira Harusato, and Horio Yoshiharu, who founded the town.

Izumo Airport is about 30 minutes away by Ichibata bus, JR Matsue Station about ten minutes by taxi, and the Dogata-iriguchi bus stop about a minute on foot.Check-in is at 16:00 and check-out at 10:00 the following day. Rates start at 51,000 yen a night.