For one-stop shopping for locally crafted goods, visit the Shimane Prefectural Products and Tourist Center (Shimane-ken Bussankanko-kan), 191 Tonomachi (tel. 0852/22-5758; daily 9am-6pm), just southeast of Matsue Castle (Lake Line bus to stop no. 8 to Otemae, and then a 1-min. walk). In a modern building that resembles the black-and-white structures typical of the region, the center sells the many agricultural and fishing products of the region on its ground floor, while the second floor sells everything from ceramics and abacuses (one of the few prefectures in Japan that still produces them) to toys, lacquerware, and jewelry, all products of Shimane Prefecture.
Another interesting place to shop is the Karakoro Art Studio, Kyomise Karakoro Hiroba Square (tel. 0852/20-7000; Wed-Mon 9:30am-6:30pm), a handsome, century-old former bank renovated into studios and shops selling locally made sweets, tea, jewelry, glassware, woodworking, and other crafts. Changing exhibitions are held in the basement vaults. It's located south of the castle on the moat; both the Lake Line bus and Horikawa Pleasure Boat Tour stop here.
