Tsuwano, Masuda, and Hamada offer tourist attractions such as Takashima, sightseeing events such as Manzairaku, and local delicacies such as taro stew.
The town of Tsuwano is located in the southwestern part of Shimane Prefecture. Before the Meiji Restoration, it was a castle town under the jurisdiction of the Kamei clan, which was the Tsuwano clan. The town, spread out in a small basin, is known as "Little Kyoto." In addition, Tsuwano Station is the terminus for the SL train, which attracts a large number of tourists who visit the town on excursions to Yamaguchi City and Hagi.
Also, since the town is within driving distance of Iwakuni, where the U.S. military base in Japan is located, many foreigners, such as base personnel and U.S. soldiers, can be seen here.
In 2005, the town merged with the neighboring town of Hihara to form the town of Tsuwano. The town office is now located in Hihara Town Hall.
The Sagimai (heron dance) parade through the town during the annual Gion Festival is a typical Tswano tradition and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the national government.
Masuda City is part of Shimane Prefecture and, along with Hamada City, is located in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, in the center of the Ishinishi region. Together with Hamada and Ota, it is known as Iwami Sanda. Located in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, the city borders the Sea of Japan.
The center of the city is a delta in the Masuda Plain, which extends downstream of the Takatsu River. As for the central area of the city, which has existed since the Meiji Era, it is located around the Uda Sake Brewery, east of the Masuda Station. The southern part of Masuda City lies to the west of the Chugoku Mountains and is lined with 1,000-meter-high mountains.
In particular, the Bito and Hittomi districts, which were merged into the city in 2004, are almost entirely covered with mountains and forests. The area of Masuda City is the largest in Shimane Prefecture.
Hamada City refers to the area bordering the Sea of Japan in the western part of Shimane Prefecture. It is the center of the former Iwami Province and is a representative area in the western part of Shimane Prefecture. Together with Masuda City and Ota City, it is collectively known as Iwami Sanda.
It was once a military base representing the San'in area, where the 21st Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army was established. Currently, the city is developing as one of the leading fisheries cities in the San'in region.
Taikodani Inari Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture. Known affectionately as the “Inari Shrine of Tsuwano,” it stands on a hillside overlooking the historic castle town, with brilliant vermilion torii gates climbing the mountain behind the town. Tsuwano is often ...»
Standing along Tonomachi Street in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, Tsuwano Catholic Church is one of the town’s most distinctive historic buildings. Its white walls and pointed Gothic-style tower create a striking contrast with the traditional Japanese streetscape of the former castle town. The church...»
Wani Sashimi is a traditional local dish enjoyed in the mountainous areas of southern Shimane Prefecture and northern Hiroshima Prefecture. Despite its name, “wani” does not refer to a crocodile or alligator. In this region, the word “wani” is a traditional name for shark. The custom of eating shar...»
Uzume Meshi is a traditional local dish from the Iwami region of Shimane Prefecture, especially associated with the historic town of Tsuwano. At first glance, it may look like a simple bowl of white rice or Japanese rice porridge. However, various ingredients are hidden underneath the rice, includin...»
Mackerel Sushi is a traditional local dish enjoyed in Shimane Prefecture. It has long been prepared for autumn festivals and other special occasions celebrating a successful harvest. The dish combines mackerel caught in the waters of the San'in region with rice grown in Shimane's fertile countryside...»
Melon Kasuzuke is a distinctive traditional pickled food from Shimane Prefecture made with the locally grown Amus melon. Instead of being enjoyed as a sweet and juicy fruit, the melon is preserved in sake lees, giving it a rich aroma and a deeper, more complex flavor. Pickling melon may sound unusu...»
Imoni is a traditional Japanese dish enjoyed in various parts of the country. The Imoni of Tsuwano Town in Shimane Prefecture is known as one of the “Three Great Imoni” of Japan, alongside the Imoni of Nakayama Town in Yamagata Prefecture and the Imotaki of Ozu City in Ehime Prefecture. While many ...»
Donchicchi Horse Mackerel is a premium brand of Japanese horse mackerel caught in the waters off western Shimane Prefecture and landed at Hamada Port. Only fish that meet specific quality standards can be sold under this brand name. Horse mackerel from western Shimane has long been known for its ric...»
Nodoguro is one of Shimane Prefecture’s most prized luxury fish. Its official Japanese name is akamutsu, or blackthroat seaperch. It is characterized by its beautiful reddish body, large eyes, and wide mouth. The inside of its throat appears black, which is believed to be the reason it came to be co...»
Hamada flounder is one of the signature seafood specialties of Hamada City in Shimane Prefecture. A wide variety of flounder species are caught along the Shimane coast, and in Hamada, flounder has long been a familiar and much-loved part of the local diet. Flounder has such a strong connection with...»
Tsuwano Town, located in a mountain basin in southwestern Shimane Prefecture, is a beautifully preserved castle town known throughout Japan as the “Little Kyoto of San'in.” Surrounded by mountains, the town retains much of the atmosphere of the Edo period (1603–1868), creating a peaceful and nostalg...»
Tsuwano Onsen Nagomi-no-Sato Roadside Station is a popular leisure and tourism complex in Tsuwano Town, Kagashima District, Shimane Prefecture. Known as the “Little Kyoto of San'in,” Tsuwano is famous for its beautifully preserved castle-town streets, and Nagomi-no-Sato offers a convenient place to ...»
Silk Way Nichihara Roadside Station is a popular roadside facility located along National Route 9 in Ikemura, Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. Built around the theme of enjoying and connecting with nature, it stands beside the Takatsu River, one of the clearest rivers in the Chugoku region. The Ta...»
Karaku-en Garden is a historic garden and park in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, located on the former site of the residence of the Kamei family, the lords of the Tsuwano Domain. Today, it is a peaceful place where local residents and visitors can relax while experiencing the history and natural ...»
Tsuwano Hometown Museum is a local history museum in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to preserving and introducing the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. Since its opening in 1921, the museum has played an important role in passing the history of Tsuwano on to future generation...»
Yomei-ji Temple is a historic temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. Its mountain name is Kakuozan. Founded in 1420 by Yoshimi Yorihiro, the lord of Tsuwano Castle, the temple invited the monk Getsuin, a Dharma descendant of Zen master Dogen, as its founding p...»
Tsuwano Castle is a historic Japanese mountain castle built on the summit of Mount Reikizan in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. Also known as Sanbonmatsu Castle and Fuki Castle, it stands at an elevation of approximately 362 meters above sea level. From the castle ruins, visitors can look out over...»
Tsuwano Castle stands on Mount Reigizan in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. Known as one of the historic mountain castles of Japan, it offers spectacular views over the traditional townscape of Tsuwano, often called the “Little Kyoto of the San'in Region.” The Tsuwano Castle Ruins Sightseeing Lift...»
Mori Ogai Memorial Museum is located in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, the birthplace and childhood home of Mori Ogai, one of the leading figures in modern Japanese literature. Ogai was not only a celebrated writer but also a military doctor who played an important role in Japan's medical and int...»
Yasaka Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Ushiroda, Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. Located along the Tsuwano River near the western end of Tsuwano Ohashi Bridge, the shrine has a history of approximately 600 years and has long been revered as a guardian shrine closely connected with the lives ...»
Tonomachi Street is one of the most iconic streets in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, a historic castle town often known as the “Little Kyoto of the San'in Region.” The street preserves the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town, with white earthen walls, stone paving, traditional buildings, and ...»
Sagi-mai is one of the traditional performing arts that best represents the history and culture of Tsuwano, a peaceful castle town in Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains and known as the “Little Kyoto of the San'in Region,” Tsuwano is famous for its historic streets, red-tiled buildings, wat...»
Mori Ogai's Former Residence in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, is the historic home where one of Japan's most influential modern writers was born and spent his childhood. Located within the beautifully preserved castle town of Tsuwano, the residence is an important historic site that offers visit...»
Otome Pass Maria Chapel stands quietly in the mountains of Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and peaceful natural scenery, the chapel preserves the memory of the persecution of Christians during Japan's early modern period and offers a place for quiet reflection and prayer. Lo...»
In the mountain countryside of Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, a remarkable cultural site brings together the history of modern medicine, traditional architecture, Japanese garden design, and local food culture. Ishoku-no-Manabiya (Former Hatagasako Hospital) and the neighboring Hori Garden (Former Hor...»
Nichihara Astronomical Observatory is a public observatory located in the former Nichihara area of Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. It stands on the summit of Mount Makuraseyama at an elevation of 255 meters, overlooking the area where the Tsuwano River and Takatsu River meet. Since opening in 198...»
Washibara Hachimangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in the Washibara district of Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. It stands at the southwestern foot of the former Tsuwano Castle site, beside the peaceful Tsuwano River and surrounded by rich natural scenery. The shrine has long been an ...»
Hori Garden (Former Hori Family Garden) is a historic Japanese garden nestled in the mountains of Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture. With a history spanning approximately 300 years, the garden is recognized as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and is an important cultural heritage site. Located abou...»
Nishi Amane's Former Residence is a historic home in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, where the influential thinker Nishi Amane lived from childhood through his early adult years. Nishi played a pioneering role in introducing Western philosophy and modern academic thought to Japan. The residence s...»
Tsuwano Domain School Yōrōkan is the former domain school of Tsuwano, located along the historic Tonomachi Street in the castle town of Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture. It was established in 1786 by Kamei Norikata, the eighth lord of the Tsuwano domain, and played an important role in educating generati...»
The Tsuwano Traditional Buildings Preservation District is a historic area in Tsuwano Town, Kanoashi District, Shimane Prefecture, where the character of an old Japanese castle town has been carefully preserved. The district retains the basic street layout established in the early Edo period and bri...»
The Anno Mitsumasa Museum is a museum in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, dedicated to the works of Anno Mitsumasa, one of Japan's internationally acclaimed picture-book artists and painters. Anno received the Hans Christian Andersen Award and was also recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit by th...»
Kuwabara Shisei Photography Museum is a documentary photography gallery in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, and the first museum of its kind in the town. It is located immediately to the right after exiting JR Tsuwano Station, making it an especially convenient place to visit at the beginning or end of ...»
The Stars and Forest Science Museum is a science museum surrounded by the rich natural environment of Mount Makuraseyama in the Nichihara area of Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture. Together with the neighboring Nichihara Astronomical Observatory, it serves as an educational facility where visitors can lea...»
Morijuku Museum of Art is a charming art museum in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture. The museum was created by restoring and renovating a historic residence that once belonged to the head village official of the Tsuwano Domain. The building's traditional Japanese architecture provides a beautiful setting...»
Masuda City is located in the Iwami region of western Shimane Prefecture, where abundant nature and a rich history come together. Along with Ōda and Hamada, Masuda is one of the three important cities of the Iwami region, sometimes collectively referred to as the “Iwami Sanda.” Because of its locat...»
Michi-no-Eki Hikimi Gorge Roadside Station is a roadside rest and tourism facility located along National Route 191 in Hikimi Town, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Chugoku region, it serves as a convenient gateway to the scenic Hikimi Gorge, a renowned n...»
Sun Eight Mito Roadside Station is a popular roadside rest and tourism facility in Mito Town, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Located along National Route 191 at the entrance to Mito Onsen, it is a convenient place to take a break while driving and a gateway to the area's rich natural environment, ...»
Hikimi Wasabi is a rare, high-quality variety of Japanese wasabi cultivated in the pristine natural environment of Hikimi Town, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. The growing areas are surrounded by broadleaf forests in the upper reaches of the Hikimi River, a tributary of the Takatsu River system, wh...»
Hikimi Gorge is a vast collection of scenic valleys extending through Hikimi Town in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by the rich natural environment of the West Chugoku Mountains, it is one of the region's most impressive natural attractions. The gorge was gradually carved by the Hikimi...»
Iko-ji Temple is a historic temple of the Tōfuku-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Someha-cho, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. The temple is known by the mountain name Takuzōzan and enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha traditionally associated with healing and medicine. What makes Iko-j...»
Iko-ji Garden is a celebrated Japanese garden located within Iko-ji Temple in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. The temple is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Tōfuku-ji school and is closely associated with Sesshū Tōyō, one of Japan's most renowned Muromachi-period ink painters and Zen monks. The garden i...»
Hikimi Gorge Onsen is a peaceful hot spring destination in Hikimi Town, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by the rich natural environment of the western Chugoku Mountains, it lies near the upper reaches of the Hikimi River, a tributary of the Takatsu River. The area is part of the scenic ...»
Hikimi Gorge Onsen “Yasuragi-no-Yu” is a relaxing hot spring facility in Hikimi Town, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Surrounded by clear mountain streams and abundant forests, it offers visitors a chance to unwind in a peaceful natural setting. The Hikimi Gorge area lies along the upper reaches o...»
Manpuku-ji Temple, located in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture, is a historic temple of the Jishu school of Japanese Buddhism. Known by its mountain name, Seiryuzan, the temple has long been associated with the powerful Masuda clan, who once ruled the region, and served as their family temple. One o...»
Nanao Castle was a mountain castle that once stood in Nanao-cho, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. It served as an important stronghold supporting the Masuda clan, a powerful family that held considerable influence in the medieval province of Iwami. Today, the site has been preserved as the Nanao Ca...»
The Miyake Odoi Residence Ruins are the remains of a medieval fortified residence in Miyake-cho, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Together with the Nanao Castle Ruins, the site forms part of the nationally designated historic site known as the Masuda Clan Castle and Residence Sites. The site was on...»