20 Museums in Shimane worth your time

This restored samurai residence offers insight into the modest lifestyle of a mid-ranking samurai family.

What it is

• Restored samurai residence from the Edo period (1603–1867).
• Home for a mid-ranking samurai and his family.
• Carefully restored in 2016 based on Meiji era plans.
• Showcases a modest samurai family lifestyle.

What to see

• Walled compound with house, garden, gate, and outbuildings.
• Large roofed gate (nagayamon) with living space for retainers.
• Ceremonial entrance for the master and important visitors.
• Formal reception room (zashiki) with tokonoma niche.
• Formal garden designed to complement the reception room.
• Functional living quarters, kitchen with clay cookstoves.

Getting there

• Located along the Shiomi Nawate road.
• Winds alongside the moat on the castle’s northern side.

Official site

www.matsue-bukeyashiki.jp

Read more about Buke Yashiki

Explore ancient Izumo culture and artifacts at this modern history museum.

What it is

• A history museum in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.
• Opened on March 10, 2007.
• Exhibits materials from ancient Izumo cultural sites.

What to see

• 358 bronze swords from Kojindani Site.
• 16 bronze spears from Kojindani Site.
• 6 bronze bells from Kojindani Site.
• 39 bronze bells from Kamo-Iwakura Site.
• 1/10 model of Heian-period Izumo Grand Shrine main hall.
• The Uzubashira pillar in the central lobby.

When to go

• Closes April 1, 2025, for renovation.
• Reopens in October 2026.

Getting there

• Located east of Izumo Grand Shrine.

Address

島根県出雲市大社町杵築東99-4 Map

Official site

www.izm.ed.jp

Read more about Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo

This center introduces Iwami Ginzan's history and silver production, enhancing a visit to the mine.

What it is

• Gateway to Iwami Ginzan silver mine.
• Museum introducing mine's history.
• Located just outside the World Heritage zone.

What to see

• Exhibits on mine discovery in 1527.
• Displays on haifuki refining method.
• Exhibits on Edo period miners' lives.
• Information on silver's economic influence.
• Dioramas, video, and interactive exhibits.
• Workshops for making silver accessories.

Getting there

• Leave cars at the center.
• Take shuttle bus to Omori town.
• Walk path from behind center to scenic overlook.

Address

島根県大田市大森町イ1597-3 Map

Official site

ginzan.city.ohda.lg.jp

Read more about Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center

Learn about the Takeshima territorial dispute through documents and exhibits at this free museum.

What it is

• A museum in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture.
• Established by Shimane Prefecture in April 2007.
• Dedicated to the Takeshima territorial issue.

What to see

• Exhibits of official and old documents.
• Displays of relevant publications.
• A stuffed specimen of a Japanese sea lion.
• Building registered as a tangible cultural property.

When to go

• Open on weekends and holidays.
• Closed on Tuesdays and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from JR West Matsue Station.

Official site

www.pref.shimane.lg.jp

Read more about Takeshima Reference Room

Explore Oki Islands history and culture in a historic 1885 building.

What it is

• A museum opened in June 1970.
• Housed in a building constructed in 1885.
• It was the Suki-sotogun-yakusho office building.
• Now a Shimane Prefecture tangible cultural property.

What to see

• Exhibits materials related to Oki.
• Exhibits materials related to Takeshima.
• Approximately 3,000 items are on display.
• Includes 674 national important tangible folk cultural properties.
• Includes 691 Shimane Prefecture tangible folk cultural properties.

Getting there

• 40 minutes by bus from Saigo Port.

Official site

www.pref.shimane.lg.jp

Read more about Oki Kyōdo-kan Museum

Tsuwano Kyōdokan is a history museum preserving local heritage from ancient to modern times.

What it is

• A history museum in Shimane Prefecture.
• Established in 1921 as a local history museum.
• Preserves historical materials from Jomon period to modern times.
• Registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2008.

What to see

• Materials on Tsuwano Castle lords.
• Displays related to the Yōrōkan han school.
• Artifacts of pioneers like Nishi Amane.
• Materials on Christian martyrs from Otome Pass.
• Works by cultural figures and artists from Tsuwano.
• Two 'Franki cannons'.

Address

〒699-5604 島根県鹿足郡津和野町森村ロ 127番地 Map

Official site

www.tsuwano.net

Read more about Tsuwano Kyōdokan

Explore a preserved Taisho-era Western building, once a foreign teacher's dormitory, now a university museum branch.

What it is

• Western-style building from the Taisho era.
• Built as a foreign teacher's dormitory for Matsue High School.
• Completed in November 1924.
• Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.

What to see

• Two-story wooden building with a steep triangular roof.
• First floor has wooden horizontal siding.
• Second floor has mortar-sprayed finish.
• Restored to its original condition in 2009.

When to go

• Open on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.

Official site

museum.shimane-u.ac.jp

Read more about Shimane University Old Okudani Lodging

Explore a free hall dedicated to Hajime Nakamura's Oriental thought and cultural research.

What it is

• Founded in 2010, commemorating Hajime Nakamura's 100th birthday.
• Promotes Oriental thought and cultural research.
• Located on the second floor of Matsue City Hall Yatsuka Branch.

What to see

• Approximately 30,000 books by Dr. Hajime Nakamura.
• Displays Nakamura's writings, relics, and study.

When to go

• Open 10:00 to 18:00.
• Closed Mondays and year-end/New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Take a city bus from Matsue Station.

Address

〒690-1404　島根県松江市八束町波入2060 Map

Official site

www.nakamura-hajime-memorialhall.or.jp

Read more about Nakamura Hajime Memorial Hall

Local history museum dedicated to Emperor Go-Toba, with diverse exhibits from Oki's past.

What it is

• A local history museum in Ama Town.
• Opened in 1980, renamed in 2008.
• Primarily exhibits materials related to Emperor Go-Toba.
• Emperor Go-Toba was exiled to Nakanoshima.

What to see

• Archaeological materials from various periods.
• Materials related to medieval and early modern exiles.
• Treasures from Oki Shrine.
• A Rai Kunimitsu tachi, a cultural property.
• Annex displays about 300 folk implements.

Getting there

• Located north of Oki Shrine.

Official site

okiofusha.co.jp

Read more about Ama Town Emperor Go-Toba Museum

This museum features a reassembled 19th-century farmhouse, a teahouse, and a restaurant serving local soba noodles.

What it is

• Museum opened in 1991.
• Centered around a reassembled 1896 farmhouse.
• Dedicated to Izumo cultural heritage.

What to see

• Late nineteenth-century farmhouse with traditional architecture.
• Large gate (nagayamon) that was part of original farmstead.
• Izumo-style landscape garden.
• Historical teahouse called Dokurakuan.
• Restaurant serving Izumo soba.
• Facilities to experience local traditions.

When to go

• Fall festival for kamaage soba.

Address

〒693-0054　島根県出雲市浜町520 Map

Official site

www.izumo-zaidan.jp

Read more about Izumo Cultural Heritage Museum

Iwami Art Museum: a modern cultural hub in Shimane, known for its unique red-tiled roof.

What it is

• Opened October 8, 2005, as Shimane Arts and Culture Center.
• Houses the Shimane Prefectural Iwami Art Museum.
• Also includes the Shimane Prefectural Iwami Arts Theater.
• Nicknamed 'Grand Toit', meaning 'large roof' in French.

What to see

• Building features a distinctive large roof.
• Roof uses approximately 280,000 red Sekishu tiles.
• Two floors above ground, plus one basement floor.

Getting there

• About 1 km from JR Masuda Station.

Address

〒698-0022　島根県益田市有明町5-15 Map

Official site

www.grandtoit.jp

Read more about Iwami Art Museum

See the world's largest hourglass and unique pyramid architecture at this sand museum.

What it is

• A sand museum in Oda City, Shimane Prefecture.
• Opened on March 3, 1991.
• Features six glass pyramid-shaped buildings.

What to see

• Six glass pyramid buildings designed by Shin Takamatsu.
• World's largest one-year hourglass, Sunagoyomi.
• Sunagoyomi is approximately 5 meters tall.
• Sunagoyomi contains one ton of sand.
• Sunagoyomi was registered in Guinness World Records.

When to go

• New Year's Eve for the hourglass rotation event.

Address

島根県大田市仁摩町天河内975 Map

Official site

www.sandmuseum.jp

Read more about Nima Sand Museum

Explore the historic samurai house where Lafcadio Hearn lived and wrote in Matsue.

What it is

• A literary museum in Matsue City.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Lafcadio Hearn lived here for six months in 1891.
• Originally a samurai house of the Negishi family.

What to see

• The main house, 158.36 square meters.
• Building dates back to the late Edo period.
• Site where Hearn wrote "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan."

Getting there

• Adjacent to the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum.
• Adjacent to the Tanabe Art Museum.

Official site

www.matsue-castle.jp

Read more about Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence

Explore the history of an 'Iron Master' family and their traditional iron-making legacy.

What it is

• Historical museum of the Itohara family.
• Opened in 1980.
• Dedicated to a family that prospered from Tatara iron making.
• The Itohara family is one of the 'Iron Master Gosanke'.

What to see

• Historical materials and art crafts.
• Itohara Family Residence, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Itohara Family Garden, a Registered Monument.
• Sabo Jugodai, a cafe in a Taisho-era building.
• Filming location for 'Zessho' (1958) and 'LEADERS' (2014).

Address

島根県仁多郡奥出雲町大谷856-18 Map

Official site

www.itoharas.com

Read more about Itohara Memorial Museum

See tea ceremony art in a modern building by Matsue Castle moat.

What it is

• A corporate museum of Shimane Prefecture.
• Opened on November 3, 1979.
• Founded by the 23rd Choemon Tanabe.
• Focuses on tea ceremony art objects.

What to see

• Main building designed by Kiyonori Kikutake.
• A tearoom is available.
• Located along the Matsue Castle moat.

When to go

• Open 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Koizumi Yakumo Kinenkan-mae bus stop.

Address

〒690-0888　島根県松江市北堀町310-5 Map

Official site

www.tanabe-museum.or.jp

Read more about Tanabe Art Museum

Kōunkaku is a historic guesthouse in Matsue Castle, offering a glimpse into Meiji-era architecture.

What it is

• A guesthouse within Matsue Castle grounds.
• Constructed in 1903 for Emperor Meiji's visit.
• A pseudo-Western style wooden building.
• Designated a Shimane Prefecture cultural property.

What to see

• Two-story wooden building.
• Architecture from the Meiji era.
• Former lodging for royalty.
• Exhibits from its time as a local museum.

When to go

• Reopened to the public in October 2015.
• Admission is free.

Official site

www.matsue-castle.jp

Read more about Kōunkaku

Explore the history of Izumo magatama and agate craftsmanship.

What it is

• A facility for making and selling magatama and agate.
• Preserved techniques of making Izumo-style magatama.
• Opened in 1985 as Izumo Agate Craft Tradition Hall.
• Founder Fukujiro Shingu established a store in 1901.

What to see

• Exhibits the largest Izumo-style magatama.
• Displays agate formed from volcanic lava and hot springs.
• Learn about blue-green jasper called Izumo stone.
• See how agate was used as a charm.

Official site

www.magatama-sato.com

Read more about Izumo Magatama no Sato Traditional Museum

Mizu no Kuni is a unique museum and park, recognized for its award-winning design.

What it is

• A museum and park facility in Gotsu City.
• Developed in 1997, its design concept is Noah's Ark.
• Received the 5th Shimane Landscape Award Grand Prize.

What to see

• The distinctive architecture, inspired by Noah's Ark.
• A memorial hall dedicated to film director Soe Matsubayashi.

Getting there

• Accessible by taxi from Kawato Station.
• Accessible by car from Hamada Expressway.

Address

〒699-4505　島根県江津市桜江町坂本2025 Map

Official site

user.iwamicatv.jp

Read more about Mizu no Kuni

Izumo Science Center offers free science exhibits and a planetarium, ideal for families and curious minds.

What it is

• Opened July 20, 2002, for science education.
• Combines school education and lifelong learning functions.
• Offers programs for children and adults.
• Building uses solar power and rainwater.

What to see

• Exhibition experience plaza.
• Planetarium.
• Science learning building, completed 2007.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Izumo Science Center Park Town Station.

Address

〒693-0001　島根県出雲市今市町1900-2 Map

Official site

www.izumo.ed.jp

Read more about Izumo Science Center

Explore the history of the Iwami Silver Mine at this museum, a National Historic Site.

What it is

• Also known as Imoyou Daikan Museum.
• Located at the Omori Daikansho ruins.
• Collects and displays historical materials.
• Opened in August 1976.

What to see

• Omori Daikansho ruins are a National Historic Site.
• Existing gatehouse rebuilt in 1815.
• Main building completed in 1902.
• Adjacent to Jōkami Shrine.
• Kumagai Family Residence is a National Important Cultural Property.

Official site

igmuseum.jp

Read more about Iwami Silver Mine Museum