Shimane: Myths, History, and Coastal Wonders

Where is Shimane?

Shimane Prefecture is a captivating tourist destination known for its rich nature, ancient history, and vibrant culture. It boasts historical sites like Izumo Taisha Shrine, Matsue Castle, and the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, perfect for those interested in Japanese mythology and history.

Nature lovers can enjoy the stunning scenery of Lake Shinji and Mt. Daisen. Facing the Sea of Japan, Shimane is renowned for its fresh seafood and rejuvenating hot springs, including Tamatsukuri Onsen and Yunotsu Onsen. The prefecture also hosts numerous festivals and events, offering a deep dive into local culture and traditions. Shimane is a perfect blend of history, nature, and cultural experiences.

Matsue Area

About 4 hours Kyoto station by trains.

Matsue Suigosai Fireworks

The Matsue Suigosai Fireworks is a fireworks display held every August in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The event takes place on the beautiful Lake Shinji and is known for the particularly beautiful reflections of the fireworks on the lake. Thousands of fireworks are launched, colorfully illuminating the night sky.

The fireworks display is an important celebration of local culture and tradition and attracts many tourists and local residents, including families, couples, and friends. The views from the lakeside and surrounding tourist attractions are spectacular, providing visitors with a special summer memory. On the day of the fireworks display, there are also numerous food stalls where visitors can enjoy local food and specialties, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle is located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture and is designated as a Japanese National Treasure.

The castle was built in 1611 and is a beautiful example of Edo period castle architecture. Matsue Castle, also known as “Chidori Castle,” is distinguished by its distinctive black exterior walls and complex roof structure. The castle is one of the 12 surviving castle keepers, and the magnificent wooden structure still stands today.

Surrounded by a vast moat and stone walls, the castle is surrounded by beautiful nature in all seasons, making it a popular tourist spot. Visitors can also enjoy beautiful views of Matsue City and Lake Shinji from inside the castle.

Shiomi Nawate

Shiomi Nawate is a historical street in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, located to the north of Matsue Castle. The district still retains its old townscape from the Edo period, and many traditional Japanese houses and historical buildings can still be seen. In particular, the scenery of white-walled storehouses and wooden houses gives visitors a strong sense of old Japan.

Shiomi Nawate is a popular tourist destination, and visitors can experience Japanese history and culture by walking through its beautiful scenery. The area is also home to many teahouses, souvenir stores, and stores selling traditional handicrafts, making it an ideal place to experience local culture.

Yuushien Garden

Yuushien is a Japanese garden in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, known for its particularly beautiful scenery. The garden was created by a samurai of the Matsue domain at the end of the Edo period and designed as a traditional Japanese “kaiyushiki” garden. The garden features water surfaces, islands, bridges, and colorful seasonal flowers. Visitors can stroll through the garden, admiring the skillfully placed stones and flowing water.

One of the charms of Yuushien is that the garden reflects the natural beauty of the seasons, especially the cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in fall. The garden is loved by many tourists and locals alike as a place where one can experience Japanese nature and culture in a quiet and tranquil atmosphere.

Lake Shinji

Lake Shinji is the largest brackish lake in Japan and is especially known for its beautiful sunsets. There are many historical and tourist attractions around the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy the local culture and nature.

Lake Shinji is also famous for its abundance of delicacies, known as “shicchin,” or seven delicacies, and especially for having the largest catch of whitebait in Japan. Shijimi (Freshwater clam) are used in local cooking and as a health food. This is an attractive spot for tourists because they can enjoy delicious local food along with the beautiful scenery of the lake. Lake Shinji is also an important habitat for wild birds, and is known as a place where a wide variety of bird species can be observed.

Tamatsukuri Hot Spring

Tamatsukuri Onsen is a well-known hot spring located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. This hot spring has a history of more than 1,300 years and is also known as “Bijin-no-yu,” or “hot water for beautiful women,” and is characterized by its alkaline spring water, which is believed to be effective in beautifying the skin.

Tamatsukuri Onsen is surrounded by rich nature and is popular as a place to relax in a calm atmosphere. The hot spring resort area is dotted with numerous inns and hotels, each with their own unique hot spring baths. In addition to its appeal as a hot spring resort, nearby tourist attractions such as Izumo Taisha and Matsue Castle are enjoyed by visitors in conjunction with sightseeing.

Izumo Area

About 45 minutes from Matsue station by trains.

Izumo Taisha

Izumo Taisha is an old shrine located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, and is one of the most important places in Japanese mythology. It is especially known as the “god of marriage” and attracts people from all over Japan seeking blessings for love and marriage.

The most distinctive architectural features of Izumo taisha are its huge shimenawa and extremely tall torii gates. The shrine buildings have been rebuilt many times over the centuries, and the current main shrine was rebuilt in 1744. Every year in October, known as Kannazuki, the “Kangei Matsuri” is held, during which the gods from all over Japan are said to gather at Izumo taisha Shrine.

Because of its historical importance and the stories behind its mythology, Izumo Taisha is an attractive spot for tourists who wish to experience Japanese culture.

Momen Kaido

The Momen Kaido, which is the Cotton Road in Izumo City was an important transportation route connecting the Izumo region with other regions during the Edo period. This highway especially flourished as a transportation route for cotton products and was closely related to the local cotton production industry.

The Izumo region produced high-quality cotton cloth, and since this was one of the main routes for its nationwide distribution, it was of great economic significance. Through this highway, local producers transported cotton products to Kyoto, Osaka, and other large cities to supply the market. The cotton highway also promoted cultural exchange and provided an opportunity for local culture and technology to be transmitted to other regions.

Today, it is a popular tourist route for history buffs and educational visitors, who can learn about the historical background of the area. In addition, local specialties, traditional handicrafts, and locally produced foods are sold as souvenirs, making the Cotton Road a popular destination for history buffs and educational visitors alike.

Ichibata Yakushi

Ichibata Yakushi is an old temple in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, officially called “Ichibatayama Yakushiji. This temple was founded in the Heian period (794-1185) and is closely associated with the Kannon faith. It is believed to be mainly beneficial for healing eye diseases and attracts many people from all over Japan.

The temple grounds are vast, with beautiful gardens and old architecture that attract visitors. Especially in spring, the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, and in fall, the autumn leaves colorfully illuminate the temple. Ichibata Yakushi is also well known to the local people as “Izumo no Oyakushi-san” (the Yakushi of Izumo) and is an important part of the local culture and history.

There are souvenir stores and restaurants around the temple, where visitors can enjoy local food and specialties. With its historical background and natural beauty, Ichibata Yakushi is an attractive spot for tourists.

Hinomisaki Jinja

The Hinomisaki Jinja is an old shrine located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, at the tip of Cape Hinomisaki overlooking the Sea of Japan. The shrine is especially known as a place to pray for safety at sea and protection of the fishing industry.

The Hinomisaki Jinja is famous for the magnificent view of the Sea of Japan that can be seen from its location. Especially at sunset, many tourists and photographers visit the shrine to see the beautiful sight of the setting sun sinking into the sea. There is also a historic lighthouse in the vicinity of the shrine, the combination of which creates a scenic view.

The shrine grounds have a quiet and serene atmosphere, offering visitors a place where they can experience nature and history.

Izumo Soba

Izumo soba is a traditional dish from the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture, and is a noodle dish made primarily from buckwheat flour. Izumo soba is characterized by its dark color and has a unique flavor and aroma. This is due to the fact that the buckwheat flour is ground on a millstone without removing the skin, which gives it a nutritious and deep flavor.

Izumo soba is usually served both cold and hot, each with different ways to eat it. Cold soba is usually served as zarusoba, dipped in soba sauce. Hot soba is eaten by dipping the soba in the broth.

Izumo soba is often eaten at local festivals and special occasions, and is known as a popular gourmet dish among tourists. When visiting Izumo, we recommend experiencing this traditional taste at a local soba restaurant.

Oda Area

About 1 hour 30 minutes from Matsue station by trains and bus.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is a historical mine located in Oda City and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The mine was the most productive silver mine in Japan during the medieval and early modern periods, and its silver was exported both domestically and internationally, greatly influencing the Japanese economy.

Iwami Ginzan is characterized by its well-preserved mining technology of the Edo period and the structure of the mining town at that time. Visitors can walk through some of the tunnels and learn about the life of miners and the history of silver mining in those days through restored facilities and a museum.

The surrounding area is dotted with many historical sites and cultural assets related to the silver mines, and they tell the story of the town and life in the past. The area is also blessed with nature, and visitors can experience Japan's precious historical heritage while enjoying the seasonal scenery.

Yunotsu Hot Spring

Yunotsu Onsen is a historical hot spring resort located in Oda City. This hot spring has a history of over 1,300 years and has been a favorite of many writers and artists since the Edo period. The sodium-calcium chloride spring water in Yunotsu Onsen is said to be effective for beautifying the skin and relieving fatigue.

This hot spring resort is located near Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, and its charming streets lined with old wooden inns are full of emotion. Visitors can spend a quiet and tranquil time soaking in the abundant and high quality hot spring water. There are also communal bathhouses in the hot spring area, where visitors can mingle with the locals.

The surrounding nature is abundant, and visitors can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons, making this a recommended destination for those who want to relax and feel the history of the area.

Tsuwano Area

About 3 hours from Matsue station by trains.

Tonomachi-dori Street

Tonomachi-dori Street in Tsuwano is a historical street located in the town of Tsuwano. The street retains the atmosphere of a former castle town, and is lined with traditional Japanese houses and samurai residences. In particular, many of the buildings date back to the Edo period, giving visitors a sense of good old Japan.

Tonomachi-dori street is located near Tsuwano Castle, which was the residence of the lord of the Tsuwano domain, and many historical buildings and gardens are open to the public. Tourists can walk along these streets and catch a glimpse of the life and culture of the samurai families of the past. There are also many stores selling local crafts and specialties, allowing visitors to enjoy the culture and cuisine of Tsuwano.

Tonomachi-dori street is known for its preservation and beauty, and is an attractive spot that attracts many tourists from Japan and abroad.

Taikodani Inari Shrine

The Taikodani Inari Shrine is an old shrine in the town of Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, and is especially known as a god of business success and prosperity. The shrine is dedicated to the deity Inari and is worshipped by many entrepreneurs and merchants.

A distinctive feature of the shrine is the approach lined with numerous torii gates and red lanterns. Visitors feel a sense of sanctity as they pass through this colorful approach. In addition, red torii gates of various sizes are placed throughout the shrine grounds, attracting the attention of visitors with their number and beauty.

The shrine is located in a quiet area surrounded by beautiful nature, and many people visit not only to pray but also to stroll and relax. Many people consider the shrine to be a part of Tsuwano's rich culture and history.

Tsuwano Hot Spring

Tsuwano Onsen is a hot spring resort located in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. This hot spring has an ancient history, yet offers modern comforts, bringing relaxation and healing to visitors. Tsuwano Onsen's water quality is alkaline simple spring water, which is believed to be effective in relieving neuralgia, muscular pain, and fatigue.

The hot spring resort area is surrounded by beautiful nature and historical buildings, and is particularly attractive for its proximity to tourist attractions such as Tonomachi-dori Street and Tsuwano Castle. Onsen facilities in the area are diverse, ranging from family-friendly accommodations to public bathhouses where one-day bathing is available.

Known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful scenery, Tsuwano Onsen offers visitors a pleasant stay. Enjoying food prepared with local ingredients and local sake is another way to enjoy this hot spring resort.