Your Complete Travel Guide to Shimane, Where Mythology and Nature Come Alive

The Matsue area lies on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the northeastern part of Shimane Prefecture.
It is the largest urban area in Shimane and has a long history as the castle town of Matsue Castle.
Also known as the “City of Water,” it offers sightseeing boat rides around the castle’s inner and outer moats, where you can take in the area’s charming streets at a relaxed pace.
The area is also full of power spots and beautiful scenery unique to Japan, including Lake Shinji, famous for its stunning sunsets, and many historic shrines with deep traditions.

The Yasugi area is located in the southeastern part of Shimane Prefecture, bordering Tottori Prefecture and Matsue City.
This area prospered through tatara ironmaking, a traditional method of producing steel from iron sand using intense charcoal fires. Its unique atmosphere remains today in places such as port towns that once flourished as shipping hubs for iron, reflecting deep-rooted traditional skills and culture.
At the Adachi Museum of Art, you can admire a garden often described as one of the best in Japan, while at the Yasugibushi Engeikan, you can experience performances and dances of Yasugibushi, a famous Japanese folk song.
For anyone interested in traditional Japanese crafts and culture, this is an irresistible area.

The Izumo area is a treasure trove of mystical spots, including Izumo Taisha, where gods from across Japan are said to gather, Inasa no Hama, a scenic beach said to welcome the gods visiting Izumo Taisha, and Susa Shrine, often called Japan’s greatest power spot.
At Hinomisaki, a famous scenic cape at the tip of the Shimane Peninsula overlooking the Sea of Japan, you can enjoy the striking contrast of the white lighthouse against the sea and sky. Near Kirara Beach, a popular swimming beach, there is also a roadside station where you can enjoy shopping and local food, making this an area with many different ways to have fun.

The Unnan area lies south of the Izumo area, facing the Chugoku Mountains.
It has many spots where you can enjoy large-scale natural beauty, such as the Hiikawa River, where rows of cherry trees burst into bloom in spring, Ryuzu-ga-Taki Waterfall, said to resemble a rising dragon, and Oni no Shitaburui, a grand gorge stretching Approx. 3 km.
Because the area is also known for legends from Japanese mythology, you’ll find ancient shrines and historic sites connected to those stories.
It also developed through tatara ironmaking, offering chances to experience Japan’s historical culture and traditional techniques.

Centered around the World Heritage Site Iwami Ginzan, the Iwami Ginzan area is a place where you can experience history and culture.
Iwami Ginzan is an industrial heritage site that developed in coexistence with the natural environment, with careful consideration for its surroundings.
You’ll likely be amazed by the size and height of the mabu mine shafts dug for silver extraction. At the Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center, you can learn in detail about the history and technology of the mine.
In Omori, where buildings from the Edo period (1603–1868) and the atmosphere of the town’s silver-mining prosperity remain intact, a walk through the streets feels almost like stepping back in time.

Located in the western part of central Shimane, the Hamada and Gotsu area is full of places where families with children can relax and have fun all day long.
At Shimane Aquarium Aquas, one of the largest aquariums in the Chugoku region, you can see around 10,000 marine creatures from about 400 species. Among them, the rare beluga whales are especially popular.
Onsen Resort Kazenokuni, where you can enjoy camping and glamping on spacious grounds, offers not only hot springs but also a variety of accommodations and play equipment for children.
Koboku no Mori Park has herb gardens and bungalows, and its walking paths let you fully enjoy nature.
If you want to experience the power of rugged nature, the steep-walled Dangyokei Gorge is also highly recommended.

The Masuda and Tsuwano area is located at the western edge of Shimane, bordering Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Because many cultural figures, including writers and painters, once lived here, the area has many museums, memorial halls, and other facilities related to art and culture.
Explore art and culture at places such as the museum dedicated to Mitsumasa Anno, the picture book author from Tsuwano, Shimane Arts Center Granto wa, which combines an art museum and a theater, and the memorial museum of the famous writer Mori Ogai.
The area also offers many other attractions, including Tonomachi Street, which preserves the atmosphere of the Edo period, and Hikimikyo Gorge, where you can enjoy dramatic natural beauty.

Floating in the Sea of Japan Approx. 50 to 70 km north of the Shimane Peninsula, the Oki area consists of islands of various sizes.
The four main inhabited islands, Dogo, Chiburijima, Nakanoshima, and Nishinoshima, together with the surrounding islands, are recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
One of the main draws is the chance to see extraordinary landscapes shaped by the power of nature.
Traveling there by ferry, high-speed boat, or plane, crossing the sea along the way, also adds a special sense of adventure to the journey.
You’ll find many natural sights found only on these islands, not on the mainland, including Kuniga Coast, Candle Island, Yao-sugi and Chichi-sugi cedar trees, and Dangyo no Taki Waterfall.
With power spots said to bring love and happiness, as well as retro and charming cafes, the area is also popular for girls’ trips.

Day 1 is all about exploring the Matsue area.
Starting at the famous Matsue Castle and strolling through its castle town before enjoying soba, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back into the Edo period.
After that, head to Izumo Taisha and go even further back, into the age of mythology.
Finish the day at Tamatsukuri Onsen, a hot spring loved since ancient times, and relax away the fatigue of travel.

Day 2 takes you to the Iwami Ginzan area.
After praying for good relationships at Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine, a shrine connected to Tamatsukuri Onsen and also known as a power spot for love, this plan lets you fully explore Iwami Ginzan, a World Natural Heritage Site.
You’ll likely be moved by the vast scale of the silver mine, the blessings of the earth, and the precious legacy of human life and labor passed down over many years.

Izumo soba is known for its rich aroma, high nutritional value, and pleasant texture.
It is made not only from the white inner part of the buckwheat seed but from the whole seed, which gives the noodles their darker color and richer flavor.
Because you can fully enjoy the natural taste of the soba itself, it is also popular with serious soba lovers.
That said, “Izumo soba” is not served the same way everywhere, and the style varies by area.
In Matsue, it is served in three stacked red round bowls, while around Izumo Taisha it is commonly enjoyed as kamaage soba.

Zenzai, a traditional Japanese sweet made of soft-cooked azuki bean soup with mochi or shiratama dumplings, can be found all over Japan.
But it is said that this “zenzai” originated in Izumo.
It was served at teahouses around Izumo Taisha and has long been loved by worshippers visiting the shrine.
What sets Izumo zenzai apart is its use of large azuki beans and its clear soup, served with red and white shiratama dumplings.
After a shrine visit, soothe your tired body with the gentle sweetness of Izumo zenzai.

Botebote-cha is a symbol of the unique tea culture that flourished in Matsue, a castle town known for tea.
It is a light meal in which carefully whisked bancha tea is combined with okowa sticky rice, simmered beans, chopped koya dofu, and pickles.
The traditional way to eat it is to gently tap the bottom of the bowl, gather the ingredients to one side without using chopsticks, and then eat them together with the tea in one go. The name “botebote” is said to come from the sound made while whisking the tea.
Since it’s a unique local dish you won’t find in other regions, be sure to try it when you visit Shimane.