Asia-Pacific Water Forum

Restoration of the castle moat: Matsue City, Shinema Prefecture, Japan

Before, the old castle moat in Horikawa (Matsue City) was called by the name of “Dobu Kawa”, which means “dirty ditch” and was used for road constructions. However, the water quality has improved radically by means of dredge and by introducing clean water from outside. As a result of those actions, it then became possible to organize tours, using small Horikawa, which are sight-seeing boats. At present, the city’s sight-seeing business has grown tremendously and offers many kinds of tours in the surroundings. The annual number of tourists visiting the moat is over 300,000.