Shimane Prefecture, a hidden gem nestled in the Chugoku region of Japan, is a place where myths and history intertwine with natural beauty. This tranquil prefecture is often overlooked by the typical tourist trail, making it a perfect destination for those seeking a path less traveled.
Prepare your notes and we recommend you include these places in your Shimane itinerary.
Visit Izumo Taisha Shrine
One cannot talk about Shimane without mentioning the grand Izumo Taisha Shrine, one of Japan's oldest and most significant Shinto shrines. This spiritual haven is not just a place of worship but a monument of architectural grandeur, with towering pillars and intricate carvings that tell tales of ancient deities and human faith. It is also the home of the largest ‘shimenawa’, a sacred rope made of dried rice straws of 13.6 meters long and weighing 5.2 tons.
Don’t forget to visit a nearby local museum called the Shimane Prefecture Ancient Izumo History Museum, and learn more about Izumo’s rich history and culture.
Location: 195 Taishacho Kizukihigashi, Izumo, Shimane 699-0701, Japan
Admission Fee: FREE
Adachi Museum of Art
For art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, the Adachi Museum of Art is a must-visit. The museum is renowned for its stunning Japanese gardens, considered some of the best in the country, and an impressive collection of contemporary art. The fusion of art and nature creates a serene experience that captivates all who wander its paths.
Founded by Adachi Zenko, he felt a strong resonance between the sublime sensibility of the Japanese-style garden and the paintings of Yokoyama Taikan which he wished visitors to experience. Adachi constructed his Japanese garden with the hope that through its seasonal expression of natural beauty visitors would be inspired to view Taikan’s paintings with a renewed sense of appreciation. This new appreciation would then lead to increased interest in the works of other Japanese painters, fulfilling Adachi’s hope that visitors would be “moved by beauty.”
Location: 320 Furukawacho, Yasugi, Shimane 692-0064, Japan
Opening hours:
* April to September – 9:00AM – 17:30PM
* October – March – 9:00AM – 17:00PM
Admission Fees:
* Adults – JPY2,300
* University students – JPY1,800
* High school students – JPY1,000
* Elementary students and Junior HS – JPY500
* Parking fee: FREE
* Accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners and JCB.
Admission to the Japanese gardens, exhibitions in the main building and the Annex, and Rosanjin Hall are all included.
Admission charges are to be revised from 1st April 2025.
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
History buffs will be drawn to the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that delves deep into Japan's rich mining history. Opened in 1976 many volunteers took over the buildings that were planned to be demolished due to deterioration and renovated the interior. The outdoor museum site offers a glimpse into the past with its network of tunnels and remnants of refining facilities, set against a backdrop of lush greenery and historic sites.
Location: Omoricho, Oda, Shimane 694-0305, Japan
Opening hours: Daily 8:30AM – 17:30PM
Admission Fees:
* Adult: JPY400
* Junior HS: JPY200
* Elementary students: JPY150
* Provides discount fees for non-Japanese visitors
* Accepts major credit cards and contactless payments
Matsue Castle
Popularly known as the “Black Castle”, Matsue Castle is one of only 12 surviving castle towers in Japan. The existing castle tower was built in the Edo period or earlier, and it is a special existence that has survived to the present day without being destroyed. It was completed in the 16th year of Keicho and is designated a national treasure as a castle tower representing the heyday of the early modern period, along with Hikone Castle and Himeji Castle.
You can explore the park around it, which lights up with cherry blossoms in the spring, or admire the view from the top, which lets you see all around the city, and even to nearby Lake Shinji. Nearby the castle also lies three charming shrines to peacefully explore, namely Jozan Inari Shrine, Matsue Gokoku Shrine, and Matsue Shrine. If you are keen on some new views of the area, you can also take a leisurely canal ride through the city, seeing the castle top pop in and out of the traditional skyline.
The experience offers visitors a chance to step back in time and explore the samurai legacy surrounded by stunning natural scenery.
Location: 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane 690-0887, Japan
Opening period/hours to the castle tower:
April 1 – September 30 – 8:30AM – 6:30PM
October 1 – March 31 – 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Admission fees to the Castle Tower
* Adult: JPY 680
* Children (elementary and junior HS) – JPY290
* Accepts major credit cards and contactless payments
Oki Islands
Located off the coast of Matsue, is abundant with stunning flora and fauna and comprises Daisen-Oki National Park. There are around 180 islands that make up the Oki Islands, with Dozen and Dogojima being two of the biggest islands where some of the main towns are located. The islands offer inspiring cliffs and ocean views, alongside multiple walking trails for visitors. One unique sight is the ‘Rosoku Jima’, or ‘Candle Island’, where if timed correctly, you can see the setting sun land right on the tip of the rock. Additionally, there is the Dangyo no Taki, a waterfall that cascades over a steep cliff right next to a shrine.
While on Dogojima Island, visit the Mizuwakasu Shrine, and enjoy your walking trail at the Noritanobana Observation Point, for the gorgeous view of Koto Island, Eboshi Island, and Kama Island. Another scenic spot will be found at Shirashima Coast.
Ikoji Temple
Located in the city of Masuda, Ikoji Temple is home to one of the best gardens in the country. Its construction dates all the way back to 1363. The auspicious garden is thought to have been designed by the artist Sesshu and is a delight in every season. As you stroll through the garden, you'll notice that Sesshu designed the pond to resemble a flying crane and the island within it to resemble a turtle. The temple itself houses a large amount of art and statues, making it a great place to spend time appreciating the garden and taking in all the sights. Every year in mid-March, the drooping cherry blossoms add a flourish, in May the azaleas are all over, in the summer the green is cool, and in the fall the large maples are dyed red.
Location: 4-29 Somebacho, Masuda, Shimane 698-0011, Japan
Opening hours: Daily from 8:30AM – 5:30PM (until 5:00PM in winter)
Admission Fees:
* Adults - JPY500
* High school students - JPY300
* Elementary and junior high school students - FREE
* Those who have a disability certificate will receive a 100 yen discount. Please present it at the viewing window.
* Parking spot is available, fees may apply.
Lake Shinji
Lake Shinji, Japan's 7th largest lake, is a breathtaking destination for witnessing stunning sunsets and experiencing vibrant summer events like fireworks festivals. Sitting on the shore, savoring local delicacies, and taking in the traditional fireworks display is an experience not to be missed. With nearly 50 kilometers of shoreline, Lake Shinji offers the perfect way to conclude your visit to Shimane.
Ejima Bridge
It was used as the subject of a TV commercial for a car, and due to its steepness, it became famous as a "solid slope". The top reaches a height of about 45 meters, making it the largest concrete girder bridge in Japan.
From the center of the huge bridge, you can see Mt. Daizan and Daikon Island floating in the middle sea in the distance, and it is secretly popular as a cycling path. When you climb from the Tottori Prefecture side cross the prefectural border and go down, the scenery of the middle sea spreading out in front of you is a superb view.
The official name is Ejima Bridge, and it is the largest PC ramen bridge in Japan that spans the Nakakai Sea, connecting Ejima in Yatsuka Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture.
Location: Sakaiminato, Tottori 684-0075, Japan
Celebrate the Shinzai Festival in Autumn
In the 10th month of the lunar calendar, the eight million gods from across the country gather in Izumo. This month is known as Kami Zaizuki in Izumo, while in other regions it's called Kami no Tsuki, meaning the month when the gods are away. At Izumo Taisha Shrine, the Shinto Festival will take place on October 10 (November 10, 2024) and will be followed by additional celebrations on November 11, 15, and 17. The Karasadesai Festival, held to bid farewell to the gods, is scheduled for the evening of November 17 and 26. Similar Shinto festivals also occur at shrines such as Kumano Taisha.
The Shrine in Shimane where the Shinzai Festival is held.
Kumano Taisha Shrine (Matsue City)
It is a venerable shrine that is called along with Izumo Taisha the Ichinomiya of Izumo Province. It is said to be the "birthplace of fire in Japan", and a unique Shinto ritual called Sankasai is held.
When: 11th to 26th November 2024
Sata Shrine (Matsue City)
In ancient times, it was one of the three major shrines in Izumo Province and was also called "Sada Taisha". It is said that the west shrine facing the main shrine has the benefits of marriage and easy childbirth, and the east shrine that has its back to it is said to have the benefits of marriage and longevity.
When: 20th to 30th November 2024
Asayama Shrine (Izumo City)
It is an ancient shrine that sits on a mountain peak in Asayama Township, where it is written in the "Izumo Country Fudoki" that the main god of the country goes every morning. On the first day of the lunar month of the gods, the first god is welcomed in Izumo Country.
When: 1st to 10th November 2024
Mankusen Shrine (Izumo City)
Since ancient times, the shrine has a history of eight million gods gathered from all over the country on the occasion of the Shinto Festival in Izumo Province, where they stop by for the last time and hold a shrine council and a divine banquet (direct meeting) and depart from here.
When: 17th to 26th November 2024
Autumn Foliage Spots in Shimane
Demon's tongue tremor
The valley formed by the tributaries of the Hii River is dotted with many huge rocks and strange stones. You can see the autumn leaves up close from the promenade.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UCDcD5kV2UgZjLCm6
Horiji Garden
The former Horiji Garden, a scenic autumn foliage spot in Tsuwano, is a famous garden with a history of more than 200 years, consisting of four large and small gardens.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4jbbAUNFGDxdd9nr9
Taste of Autumn in Shimane
Akamutsu
It is a very popular fish in Shimane Prefecture, and in Hamada, it is branded under the name of Donchichi, along with mackerel and flounder, and is a very fatty fish in the autumn season.
Izumo soba
Soba has two seasons a year, summer and autumn, but it is actually autumn that has the best taste, aroma, and color. Enjoy Izumo soba which is eaten in a round bowl "wariko", as there are many famous restaurants in Matsue City and Izumo City.
These are just a few of the treasures Shimane Prefecture holds. Each place tells a different story, each landscape unveils a different beauty, and each experience brings you closer to the heart of Japan. Shimane is a place where every visit becomes a journey through time, nature, and artistry. It's a call to those who seek to embrace the tranquility and discover the stories etched into the land itself.
When planning your next adventure, consider Shimane Prefecture and immerse yourself in the wonders it has to offer. Shimane awaits to take you on an unforgettable journey.
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