[Shimane ]7 must-see tourist attractions in Shimane, a city with much to see and do.

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Mayumi(@riverwill_kay)がシェアした投稿

The Izumo-taisha shrine is a national treasure, famous throughout Japan as a god of marriage. It is said to be the head shrine of the religious corporation Izumo Taisha-kyo.
Izumo-taisha Shrine is actually famous not only as a place for matchmaking, but also as a god of good fortune. It is said that the effects of Izumo-taisha are not felt for about a year, since matchmaking refers not only to men and women but also to all the people around them.
The way to visit the shrine is a little different, and is to worship in the manner of two worshippers, four clapping hands, and one bowing. In the tenth month of the lunar calendar, when all the deities from all over Japan gather, the Kami Yeongi Shinto ritual is also held. When all the gods from all over Japan gather, many tourists come to the shrine, so it is best to go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
There is a thick shimenawa in the main hall, and it is said that if a coin is placed at the end of the shimenawa, it will bring good luck.

There are many specialty buckwheat noodle shops along the approach to the temple!

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wataru.fujii(@wataru.fujii.1212)がシェアした投稿

Soba (buckwheat noodles) is very popular in Izumo, and there are many buckwheat noodle restaurants along the approach to the temple. No matter where you eat, you can enjoy a delicious meal and get a good luck charm tied with a string for five yen. It is recommended to have it with slightly different condiments. After visiting the shrine, you should definitely try Izumo soba.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Izumo-taisha shrine
Address: 〒699-0701 195 Pestle Chiku Higashi, Osha-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane
Phone number: 0853-53-3100
Hours of operation: 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This shrine is as prestigious as Ise Jingu Shrine, which is designated as a national treasure. In the tenth month of the lunar calendar, the Kami Yeongi Shinto ritual is held, where gods from all over Japan gather.
URL：https://izumooyashiro.or.jp/

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hidepicture(@hidepicturelife)がシェアした投稿

Matsue Castle is the symbol of Matsue City.
This valuable castle is one of only 12 remaining castle keepers in Japan. For this reason, the existing keep is designated as a National Treasure.
The 13-meter-high stone wall around the white perimeter of the castle, which was used as a defense site, remains intact. Visitors can enter the castle and see the castle keep and other structures. Inside the castle, there are various mechanisms and you can see how life was like in the castle at the time of its construction.

Matsue Castle is famous for its sightseeing boats!

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daiki(@daiki442)がシェアした投稿

You can go around the outer moat on a sightseeing boat called "Gurutto Matsue Horikawa Meguri". The boat ride takes about 50 minutes, and you can enjoy Matsue Castle with a guide. When crossing the bridge in the garden, all passengers on the boat are lowered to enjoy the ride, so it is definitely worth taking a ride when you visit Matsue Castle. In autumn, the boat is already in operation at night, and in winter, kotatsu (tablecloths) are served. This is a recommended activity that allows you to learn about Matsue Castle with a guide's cheerful singing voice!

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Matsue Castle
Address: 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, 690-0887
Phone number: 0852-21-4030
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. October to March 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Adults 680 yen / Children 290 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Matsue Castle is the symbol of Matsue City with its outer moat. The castle keep is designated as a national treasure, and visitors can take a viewing boat around Matsue Castle in the outer moat.
URL：https://www.matsue-castle.jp/

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echo(@echo_echo0728)がシェアした投稿

Tamatsukuri Onsen is an emotional hot spring with hot spring inns lining both sides of the river. The location of this hot spring is excellent, as it is close to the city and the sea.
The hot spring water is like lotion, and is popular among women as a hot spring for beautiful skin. There are many spots for strolling around the area, and many people enjoy the atmosphere of the place while wearing yukata (light cotton kimono). Visitors can also take a one-day trip to the hot springs and enjoy the free footbaths.

It is also famous for its gradient balls!

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玉造温泉 松乃湯(@tamatsukuri_matsunoyu)がシェアした投稿

The Izumo-shaped katadama is famous and is a popular souvenir for people of all ages as a charm against evil spirits and misfortune. This is the reason why you can see the symbols of the gradient balls everywhere around Tamatsukuri Onsen.
At the Izumo Magatama no Sato Folklore Museum, visitors can actually try their hand at making katadama.

"Facility Information "
Name of facility: Tamatsukuri Onsen
Address: Tamatsukuri Yu-cho, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, 699-0201
Phone number: 0852-62-3300
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is an emotional Tamatsukuri Onsen spa, with hot spring inns lining both sides of the river. Day-trip bathing is also available, and there is a free footbath.
URL：http://tamayado.com/

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持永 太郎(@taromochinaga)がシェアした投稿

Susanowo-no-mikoto (Susanowo-no-mikoto) legend remains. Yaegaki Shrine is an effective shrine for "marriage "where Susanowo-no-mikoto and Princess Inada are said to have been united.
Since it is such two husband and wife deities who are enshrined, people visit the shrine with the hope of having a good marriage. Often, weddings and other events are held here, so if you have a chance, you may be able to see a bride.

Water fortune 100 yen

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ɴᴀᴋᴀᴏ ᴀʟɪꜱᴀ(@_alisey0)がシェアした投稿

It is said that if a fortune is floated and a coin is gently placed on top of it in a pond known as Kagami-no-ike and sinks within 15 minutes, it is said that the circle is near, and if it takes more than 30 minutes, the circle is far away. It is also said that if it sinks early, you will be related to someone nearby, and if it sinks late, you will be related to someone far away. There is also an unusual tree in the temple grounds called a couple camellia, which consists of two trees united into one, making it a power spot for matchmaking.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Yaegaki Shrine (Yaegaki Shrine)
Address: 227, Sakusa-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, 690-0035
Phone number: 0852-21-1148
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No Smoking and Smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is a shrine where the legend of Susanowo-no-mikoto and Princess Inada were united. It has become a god of marriage and is famous as a power spot.
URL：https://yaegakijinja.or.jp/

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大志田桃子🧚‍♂️旅ヨガインストラクター🌙(埼玉)(@momo_yogatrip)がシェアした投稿

This sandy beach is located about 1 km from Izumo-taisha Shrine. It is a sacred place where the handing over of the country and the pulling out of the country took place in the past, and even today, the 8 million gods of the nation are welcomed at this beach in October at this location. Perched on the beach is Bentenjima, where Toyotamabiko-no-mikoto is enshrined. It seems that the gods of the whole country gather at this place and consult with each other to decide on various matters. So "it is said that all the gods come to this place in the godless month "and the gods of other shrines are absent.

Also good for swimming!

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ᔆᴬᵀᴼᴹᴵ☺︎(@sato_724)がシェアした投稿

The white sandy beach and shallow waters attract many tourists during the swimming season.
The shallow waters make it possible to capture the fantastic scenery of the sky reflected in the sea as the tide rises and falls.
Incidentally, if you take this sand from Inazato no Hama to Izumo Taisha, they will exchange it for purifying sand and you can take it home. Since this is a very good omen, we recommend that you visit both shrines and take the sand home with you.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Inasa-no-hama (beach of Inasa)
Address: 2711 Kinezukita, Taisha-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane 699-0702
Phone number: 0853-31-9466
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is a sacred place where it is said that the handing over of the country and the pulling out of the country took place a long time ago, and even today, the 8 million gods from all over Japan are welcomed at this beach in October.
URL：https://www.izumo-kankou.gr.jp/213

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Mélanie Poitoux(@mp_travelphotography)がシェアした投稿

The house where Greek-born literary giant Koizumi Yakumo spent his time in the Meiji era is used as a memorial museum.
He married a Japanese woman and published a series of Japanese ghost stories, the most famous of which include "Hoichi Aji no Hoichi "and "Bastard Head ""Snow Woman ".
Today, his great-grandson serves as the director of the museum, and various aspects of the museum, including its collection, are presented to give visitors a better understanding of what it was like in those days. The museum also introduces the life of Koizumi Yakumo and people related to him.

A structure that symbolizes the Meiji Era

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π-アリルPd(@paiallyl_pd)がシェアした投稿

There is also a garden, which is a must-see in itself, as it is full of emotion.
Once inside, you will feel a different atmosphere, and you will have a different feeling when you think that the ghost stories were made in this house. The bus stops right in front of the house, making it a convenient place for sightseeing. Matsue Castle is also nearby, so it is recommended to visit the area together.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Hall (Koizumi Yakumo Kinenkan)
Address: 322 Okutani-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane 690-0872
Phone number: 0852-21-2147
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. October to March: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
Budget: 410 yen for adults / 200 yen for children
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is the house where the Greek-born literary giant Koizumi Yakumo spent his time during the Meiji period (1868-1912). "It is famous for Hoichi without ears "and "Bastard's Neck ""Snow Woman "
URL：https://www.hearn-museum-matsue.jp/

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日本の絶景(Japanese beautiful spot)(@zekkei2)がシェアした投稿

This is the site of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, once one of the largest silver mines in Japan. It is registered as a World Heritage site, and visitors can actually go deep into the caves to see it. The ruins of the tunnels and silver production sites have been beautifully preserved, which is one of the reasons why the site was registered as a World Heritage site. There are 600 tunnels for mining silver ore in Iwami Ginzan, and some of them are inaccessible, but the Ryugenji Mahei (tunnel) is always open to visitors.
In addition, visitors can learn more about Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine at the Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center next door.

A world like a fairy tale!

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あやち(@smilelx_xl)がシェアした投稿

The ruins of a silver mine have been left intact, making the scenery look like something out of a fairy tale.
There are many hands-on activities using silver, and you can even make your own silver dingin, an old-fashioned form of money. Visitors can also search for silver sand instead of gold sand, making this a sightseeing spot that will satisfy both children and adults. Also, a stroll through the beautifully landscaped streets of Omori, which still retain remnants of the town's silver mining days, is highly recommended.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Site
Address: 1597-3, Omori-cho a, Ota-shi, Shimane 694-0305
Phone number: 0854-89-0183
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free (each facility requires an admission fee)
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Visitors can see the remains of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, which was one of the largest silver mines in Japan and is registered as a World Heritage Site. The retro townscape around the site also makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.
URL：https://ginzan.city.ohda.lg.jp/