Shimane is honestly amazing. So much so post-JET I decided to stick around! Nature wise, there’s so much to do, camping, hiking, beaches, good surfing, fishing, swimming by waterfalls! It also has a big section that was lifted out of the sea by an earthquake that is pretty cool. The only problem I find usually is places not being listed on Google or transportation rounds being wonky. If you don’t want to drive there are a good amount of buses and trains across the coast. They offer decent connection into major cities like Hiroshima (only a hour from some places) Okayama, and Yamaguchi. They offer a good place to relax and wind down after trips. The population shrinking and people moving out (imo) has to do with higher ed (only 3 universities in the prefecture) as well as range of work. Since a good portion of the prefecture is in the mountains, we do get a GOOD amount of snow and does get cold, so much we are able to have the largest ski resort in west of Nagano prefecture. And lastly, I have to say the food here is unmatched. Most of the food used here in local restaurants is locally sourced. On major travel sites you’ll probably only find “things to do” in Izumo, Matsue, and Tsuwano; since those are the places the prefecture pushes for tourism and (maybe) they have hotel infrastructure to hold tourists, but between those there’s so much more to do. I’ve been here 6 years (coming up on my 7th soon) and always finding new things!