Izumo and Iwami Ginzan are home to tourist attractions such as Izumo Taisha Shrine, Hase Temple, and Komyoji Temple; tourist events such as the Izumo Taisha Shinzai Festival, the Izumo All Japan University Ekiden Race, and the Wabukari Ritual; and local delicacies such as Izumo soba noodles, sesame oil, and shijimi clam soup.
Izumo is an area in eastern Shimane Prefecture where the "Izumo Taisha Shrine" is located. It is known as the Land of Gods and is also famous for this. Recently, it has become clear that there is no doubt about the reality of the place where the Hanging Garden is located. It is located in the central-eastern part of Shimane Prefecture. Together with the neighboring city of Ota, it is the center of the central part of the prefecture.
Izumo City is known throughout Japan as "Izumo, the Land of Myth. Blessed with abundant historical sites and cultural heritage such as Izumo-taisha Shrine, Susa Shrine, Nishitani Tomb Group, and Aragamitani Ruins, Izumo City has formed an ancient historical culture. It is also the birthplace of the Izumo Minamoto clan, which was active in the Middle Ages.
Located in the southeastern tip of Shimane Prefecture, Okuizumo Town was created through the merger of the former Nita Town and the former Yokota Town, and borders Hiroshima and Tottori Prefectures in the Chugoku Mountains, and is located at the headwaters of the Hii River, which is famous in mythology.
This Okuizumo area is the birthplace of the Izumo myth of Susanoo-no-mikoto and the slaying of the eight-forked serpent in the Kojiki and Nihonshoki chronicles. Tatara iron manufacturing, made famous in Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke," is the only traditional tatara iron manufacturing process in the world, producing tamahagane, the raw material used to make Japanese swords.
Nita rice, Nita beef, Okuidumo shiitake mushrooms, Okuidumo sake brewery, and high-sugar tomatoes are among the locally produced gourmet foods.
In addition, there are abundant sightseeing spots with blessed nature, such as Itohara Memorial Museum and Kaburo Shuseikan to foster the history of iron in the future, as well as the Okuidumo Orochi Loop, which is a prefectural nature park and a national natural treasure, and the best trust arch bridge in Japan, Funadsuyama in Hiba Dogo Teishaku National Park.
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, located in Ota City, Shimane Prefecture, is also the largest silver mine in Japan. At that time, Japan produced about 1/3 of the world's silver. Iwami Ginzan accounted for a considerable amount of that silver.
This silver mine was called Omori Ginzan (Omori Silver Mine), and other copper and other metals were mined there after the Meiji period (1868-1912). Eventually, the scale of the mine spread to the towns of Nima and Onsenzu, and the site was designated as a historic site as one of the representative mining sites in Japan.
In 2007, the site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Generally, silver requires a large amount of timber for refining, but the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was recognized for its achievements in proper forest management during its use.
Izumo Taisha is one of Japan’s most important and historic Shinto shrines, located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It is dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Okami, a major deity in Japanese mythology who is widely worshipped as a god of good relationships, happiness, and prosperity. With a history closel...»
A sacred shrine surrounded by pine forests and the Sea of Japan Hinomisaki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Hinomisaki, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Standing near the westernmost point of the Shimane Peninsula, the shrine is surrounded by peaceful pine forests and faces ...»
A brilliant white lighthouse rising above the rugged coast of western Shimane Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse stands on the Hinomisaki Cape in Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Built on a dramatic cliff near the western tip of the Shimane Peninsula, the lighthouse has guided ships sailing acr...»
Izumo soba is a traditional noodle dish from the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture. Along with Wanko soba from Iwate and Togakushi soba from Nagano, it is often counted among Japan’s three major soba traditions. Known for its rich aroma, firm texture, and distinctive way of serving, Izumo soba is a...»
Botebote tea is a traditional local food from the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture. It is a type of Japanese “furicha,” or whipped tea, a rustic style of tea traditionally enjoyed by ordinary people. It has also been known locally by names such as “ukedcha” and “potepote-cha.” Unlike ordinary tea...»
Tonbara-zuke is a simple traditional pickle that has been made for generations in the former Tonbara area of Shimane Prefecture. Made with an abundant variety of mountain vegetables and seasonal produce, it has traditionally been preserved with salt or soy sauce. Tonbara-zuke developed as a type of...»
Salt-pickled cherry blossoms are a traditional spring delicacy made by carefully preserving cherry blossoms grown in Kisuki, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, with salt and plum vinegar. Just one flower added to a dish or dessert can bring a beautiful touch of color and the rich, distinctive fragrance...»
Maitake Mushroom Rice is a flavorful traditional dish from Iinan Town in Shimane Prefecture, made with locally grown maitake mushrooms. The mushrooms are cooked together with rice and vegetables such as carrots, allowing their distinctive aroma and rich umami flavor to spread throughout the entire d...»
Uppurui Nori, also known as Jurokujimanori, is a rare type of wild rock seaweed harvested in the Uppurui area of Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. The name “Uppurui” is written with the Japanese characters for “Jurokujima,” making it one of the region's unusual place names. Growing naturally on rocky...»
Koitsu Amadai is a local seafood specialty enjoyed in the Koitsu area of Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Amadai, also known as tilefish, is relatively low in fat and is prized for its light, refined flavor. As its Japanese name suggests, its delicate flesh has a subtle natural sweetness that makes i...»
Ita Wakame, a traditional processed wakame seaweed from Shimane Prefecture, is a gift from the sea that comes into season from winter through spring. Wakame offers different textures and flavors depending on the part used, from the leafy fronds to the stem and mekabu. Each part can be prepared in it...»
Oochi Yamakujira is a regional meat brand made from wild boar captured in Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture. The Gonokawa River, one of the major rivers of the Chugoku region, flows through Misato, while extensive areas of natural forest provide an ideal habitat for wild boar. In the past, wild boar ...»
Iwami Wagyu beef is a premium Japanese beef from the Iwami region of western Shimane Prefecture. It is known as a branded beef that shares the name “Iwami” with the historic Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beef is prized for its fine-grained texture and rich fat that melt...»
Shimane Wagyu is a high-quality Japanese Black beef developed through the rich natural environment and long cattle-raising tradition of Shimane Prefecture. It is prized for its fine marbling, rich aroma, and deep, satisfying flavor, making it one of the region’s most distinctive food brands. Wagyu ...»
Asukko is an original vegetable from Shimane Prefecture, created by crossbreeding Vitamin-na, a leafy green vegetable, with broccoli at the Shimane Agricultural Experiment Station. It was developed as a new vegetable rich in vitamin C and was introduced in 2003. Born in Shimane, Asukko is known as ...»
Unnan City is a nature-rich city in eastern Shimane Prefecture. It was established in 2004 and is relatively young as a municipality, but the area has a long history and a strong connection to the myths and traditions of the Izumo region. Located south of the central Izumo area, Unnan combines beau...»
Mitoya Castle was a historic mountain castle located in Mitoya Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. The former castle site is now preserved as a designated prefectural historic site and is enjoyed by visitors and local residents as a place where history and nature come together. The castle is beli...»
Ushio Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, surrounded by the beautiful nature and rich cultural heritage of the Izumo region. With a history stretching back approximately 1,300 years, the hot spring has been enjoyed by generations of visitors from ancient times to...»
Izumo Yumura Onsen is a historic hot spring resort nestled in the mountains of Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Located along the upper reaches of the Hii River, an area closely associated with the famous Japanese legend of Yamata-no-Orochi, the hot spring is surrounded by beautiful nature and an atm...»
Obara Dam is a large dam built on the upper reaches of the Hii River in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. The Hii River is one of the major rivers of the region, and the dam was developed as a national government project led by the Chugoku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastru...»
Sakura Orochi Lake is a beautiful reservoir created by Obara Dam, which was built on the upper reaches of the Hii River in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by lush mountains and peaceful waters, the lake has been developed as a destination for sightseeing, outdoor recreation, and sports. ...»
Ryuzu Yaedaki is a spectacular collection of waterfalls in Kakeya Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Recognized as one of Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls, this beautiful area is one of the region's most impressive natural attractions. The name Ryuzu Yaedaki refers collectively to two separate waterf...»
Ryuzugataki Waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Chugoku region of Japan. Located in the Matsukasa area of Kakeya Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, the waterfall lies upstream along the Takidani River, which originates from Mt. Toyagamaru on the border between Unnan City and...»
Yaedaki Waterfalls is a beautiful group of waterfalls in Iruma, Kakeya Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Together with nearby Ryuzugataki Waterfall, Yaedaki is recognized as one of Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls. The waterfalls are spread along a scenic gorge for approximately 1.5 kilometers. Surr...»
Suga Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Suga, Daito Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Its origins are described in Japan's oldest chronicles, including the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and the shrine is traditionally known as Nihon Hatsunomiya, or “Japan's First Shrine.” The origins of Su...»
Roadside Station Tatara-ba Ichibanchi is a popular roadside rest and tourism facility in Yoshida, Yoshida Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Located directly next to the Unnan-Yoshida Interchange on the Matsue Expressway, it is exceptionally convenient for travelers exploring the region by car. ...»
Roadside Station Kakeya-no-Sato is a popular roadside rest area and tourism facility located along National Route 54 in Kakeya Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it serves as a convenient place for travelers and local residents to take a break, enjoy local foo...»