Adachi Museum of Art
Although it is an art museum, Adachi is most famous for its gorgeous 43,000 square meter garden, deemed Japan's best garden by the American Journal of Japanese Gardening for 4 years straight. However, visitors can only view it through windows inside the museum. The museum itself has a collection of 130 works by Yokoyama Taikan, one of Japan's foremost visual artists, as well as many works by modern Japanese artists. The Ceramic Art Hall showcases works by some of Japan's greatest potters, including Kawai Kanjiro a native of Yasugi and Kitaoji Rosanjin. Despite the steep entrance fee, it is well worth the visit if you have an interest in 20th century artwork and modern Japanese gardens.
Yasugibushi Theater
Yasugibushi is one of the most popular folk songs and dances in Japan, featuring the humorous loach-scooping dance dojousukui. The loach is a kind of fish. The theater offers four performances daily and a play on the history of the form. You can also try some loach dishes at the theaterâs restaurant.
Hirose Kasuri Center
(http://www.city.yasugi.sh...) Hirose Kasuri is a traditional method of weaving cloth, and this technique has been designated as an intangible cultural asset by Shimane Prefecture. Cotton thread is dyed in wool with indigo to show patterns on the cloth. You can see weavings on the loom and buy handmade Kasuri and indigo-dye articles here. This living textile heritage has been a part of the local scene for 170 years. Admission is free. It is 800 yen to dye your own handkerchief, but you should book ahead. Open 10:00 to 17:00. Closed Wednesdays.
Wako Museum
This museum stands next to the Port of Yasugi, which prospered at the end of the Edo era as a steel port. Many fine samurai swords, for example, were made of steel from Yasugi. Using HDTV and robots, Wako Museum describes the tatara method of steel-making employed here along with much else about steel=making in Japan.