Saiyu Kiko

San’in Area Spot

Shimane Area

  • Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine

    Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine is famous for its dedication to Okuninushi-no-okami, known as the deity of en-musubi (creation and arrangement of relationships). Gods throughout Japan gather once every year for a meeting called “Kamuhakari” where they discuss the linking of fates, binding of ties, or in the case of romantic relationships, matchmaking. It is held during the 10th month of the lunar calendar which is why, here in the Izumo Region, that month is called “Kami-ari-zuki” or The Month of the Gods. Visited yearly by a large number of worshipers, Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine is popular as a “land of matchmaking.”

    Access： About a 10-minute walk from Ichibata Electric Railway Izumotaisha-mae Station, or 30 minutes by Ichibata bus from JR Izumoshi Station to Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, getting off at Seimon-mae bus stop
    Address： 195 Kizukihigashi, Taishacho, Izumo, Shimane

  • Matsue Vogel Park

    Located roughly between Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Matsue Castle, Matsue Vogel Park is designed with a theme of flowers and birds. The park’s indoor garden is one of the largest in Japan and offers visitors the chance to enjoy a variety of flowers (with begonia as the main focus) as well as various birds. The penguin march is a must see.

    Access： Get off at Matsue Vogel Park Station, Ichibata Electric Railway
    Opening hours： 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (admission until 4:45 pm; April – September)
    9:00 am – 5:00 pm (admission until 4:15 pm; October – March)
    Closed： No closing days
    Admission fee： Adults: ¥1,050, Elementary, and junior high school students: ¥530 (Foreign tourist discounted prices require presentation of passport or other identification)
    Address： 52 Ogakicho, Matsue City, Shimane
    Contact： 0852-88-9800

  • Adachi Museum of Art

    Boasting a modern Japanese art collection from Japan’s leading artists, including Taikan Yokoyama, Seiho Takeuchi, and Kansetsu Hashimoto. The Adachi Museum of Art also features pottery from Rosanjin Kitaoji, Urushi lacquerware, sculptures, and fascinating children’s paintings. The museum is also home to a famous Japanese garden covering some 50,000 tsubo (1 tsubo = 3.3 square meters), named the best Japanese garden every year since 2003 by a professional U.S.-based garden journal.

    Access： 20 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR Yasugi Station
    Opening hours： 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (October – March),
    9:00 am – 5:30 pm (April – September)
    Closed： No closing days(New building subject to closing days)
    Admission fee： Adults:¥2,000
    Address： 320 Furukawacho, Yasugi, Shimane
    Contact： 0854-28-7111

  • Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

    Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was designated a World Heritage Site in July 2007. For about 100 years between the 16th and 17th centuries, a large amount of silver was mined from the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, playing a major role in connecting Asian and European countries through trade. In the first half of the 17th century, the silver yield from the mine was estimated at about 38 tons annually. During that time, a significant portion of the world’s silver is said to have been produced in Japan with Japanese silver accounting for about one-third of the world’s production.

    Access： 30 minutes by Iwami Kotsu Bus from JR Odashi Station to Omori bus stop
    Address： Omoricho, Oda, Shimane
    Contact： Oda City Tourist Association, 0854-89-9090

  • Matsue Castle

    Featuring 186,000 stones, Matsue Castle is the symbol of Matsue Castle Town. The castle, also known as Chidori (Plover) Castle, is a Momoyama-style watchtower-type castle featuring shitami itabari-style wooden board siding with battens. One of only 12 Japanese castles with an existing main keep, Matsue Castle boasts the only existing keep in the San’in area. The castle was designated a National Treasure in July 2015.

    Access： 10 minutes by Lake Line Bus from JR Matsue Station to Matsue-jo (Otemae)
    Opening hours： [Castle Keep Gate Hours] Apr. 1 – Sept. 30: 7:00 am – 7:30 pm, Oct. 1 – Mar. 31: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
    [Keep Entry Hours] Apr. 1 – Sept. 30: 8:30 am – 6:30 pm (admittance until 6:00 pm),
    Oct. 1 – Mar. 31: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (admittance until 4:30 pm)
    Admission fee： Adults: ¥470, children: ¥200 (Foreign tourist discounted prices require presentation of passport or other identification)
    Address： 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane
    Contact： Matsue Jozan Koen Administration Office, 0852-21-4030

  • Tamatsukuri Onsen (Hot Spring)

    Tamatsukuri Onsen boasts high beautifying effects for skin, leaving bathers with surprisingly smooth skin, making this a popular destination for women. Enjoy a beautiful view from the bath in any season— fresh greenery in spring, summer clouds, autumn foliage, and wintry snowscapes— while refreshing both body and mind.

    Access： 5 minutes by taxi from JR Tamatsukurionsen Station to Tamatsukuri Onsen Town
    Address： Tamatsukuri, Tamayucho, Matsue, Shimane
    Contact： Matsue Tourism Association(Tamatsukuri Onsen Office), 0852-62-3300

  • Izumo Soba

    Izumo soba (buckwheat noodles) is one aspect of Izumo’s local food culture. The most notable features of Izumo soba are its distinctly darker color compared with buckwheat noodles from other areas and how the noodles are eaten. Made with unsorted flour and unhulled buckwheat, Izumo soba is fragrant and features a distinct flavor and texture. Izumo soba can be eaten from small round bowls called warigo or served kamaage-style straight from being boiled in a pot or kettle.

Tottori Area

  • Tottori Sand Dunes

    Tottori Sand Dunes are Japan’s largest sand dunes, extending some 16 km to the east and west. The wind ripples created in the sand by the wind coming off the Sea of Japan are a truly beautiful sight that speaks to the very heart of those who see them. Visitors can enjoy such activities as sandboarding, paragliding, and dune yoga.

    Access： 30 minutes by bus from Tottori Station
    Address： Yuyama, Fukubecho, Tottori
    Contact： Tottori Convention & Tourism Association, 0857-26-0756

  • Misasa Onsen (Hot Spring)

    Selected among the first round of Japan Heritage sites, Misasa Onsen is one of the world’s finest radium hot springs. Visitors can soak in, drink, or inhale the waters from this modern therapeutic bath, which is said to rejuvenate both body and mind after three nights and three mornings here.

    Access： 20 minutes by route bus from Kurayoshi Station
    Address： Misasa, Tohaku District, Tottori
    Contact： Misasa Onsen Tourist Agency, 0858-43-0431

  • Uradome Coast

    Uradome Coast is a magnificent coastline with unique terrain shaped by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. Enjoy the natural scenery up close through a variety of marine activities, from enjoying a ride on a sightseeing boat to witnessing the incredibly clear water of the sea in a see-through canoe or through snorkeling.

    Access： 30 minutes by car from Tottori Station
    Address： Uradome, Iwamicho, Iwami District, Tottori
    Contact： Iwami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 0857-72-3481

  • Mt. Daisen

    Mt. Daisen is known as the third national park to be designated in Japan and is ranked as one of Japan's best three peaks. Also known as “Hoki Fuji,” the mountain boasts a beautiful appearance that continues to capture the hearts of sightseers. The contrast between the autumn foliage, peaking between late October and early November, and the majestic north slope reminiscent of the Alps is distinctive.

    Access： 30 minutes by car from Yonago Station
    Contact： Daisen-cho Tourist Information Office, 0859-52-2502
  • ©水木プロ

    Mizuki Shigeru Road

    Mizuki Shigeru Road is located in Sakaiminato City, the hometown of the famous cartoonist Shigeru Mizuki, famous for “Gegege no Kitaro” (a comic of Japanese adorable spirit monsters). Along the road’s 800 m stretch from Sakaiminato Station, visitors can find more than 170 bronze statues of spiritual characters from his comics. Visitors will enjoy shopping for spiritual character-themed goods in the many shops lining Mizuki Shigeru Road.

    Access： Just close to Sakaiminato Station
    Address： Suehirocho area, Sakaiminato, Tottori

  • Pears

    Tottori’s 20th Century pears offer one of the areas quintessential tastes. During pear season from around late August to mid-September, Tottori is dotted with souvenir shops displaying rows after rows of pears. The season is bustling with pear-picking orchards with visitors looking for the refreshingly sweet flavor of this fleshy fruit overflowing with juice and crisp sweetness.

    Season： Late August to mid-September
    Contact： Convention & Tourism Association, 0857-26-0756

  • White-Walled Earthen Storehouses of Kurayoshi

    The black burnt cedar boards on white stucco walls and the red Sekishu Kawara tiles of the unique Kurayoshi landscape invite visitors to forget time and relax. Not only will visitors enjoy the souvenirs and other goods from kura (storehouses) including specialty stores, galleries, and local toy workshops, but Kurayoshi also offers a wide variety of events and other experiences.

    Access： 15 minutes by bus from Kurayoshi Station
    Address： Uomachi/Higashinakamachi/Nishinakamachi/Nishimachi, Kurayoshi, Tottori
    Contact： Kurayoshi Tourism Mice Association, 0858-24-5371
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