Things to do in Shimane

Shimane Prefecture offers a rich selection of shrines and museums. Visitors can explore sites like Gassantoda Castle and the Itohara Memorial Museum.

Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle

SHIMANE · CASTLE

Matsue Castle is a hilltop fortress with an intact wooden structure, offering panoramic views of...

Hinomisaki Shrine

Hinomisaki Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

A historic coastal shrine complex in Izumo featuring twelve National Important Cultural Properti...

Mount Uenodai

Mount Uenodai

SHIMANE · PLACE

A 330-meter mountain in Yasugi featuring late sixth-century burial mounds and panoramic views of...

Hibayamakume Shrine

Hibayamakume Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Ancient Kumano Shrine, with an Izanami tomb, offers unique spiritual and natural sights.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

SHIMANE · HISTORIC SITE

This historic silver mine, a UNESCO site, supplied much of the world's silver.

Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum

Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

A literary museum in Matsue dedicated to Lafcadio Hearn, offering insight into his life.

Iwafune Kofun

Iwafune Kofun

SHIMANE · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 7th-century burial mound with a unique stone chamber and remaining stone coffin.

Izumo Magatama no Sato Traditional Museum

Izumo Magatama no Sato Traditional Museum

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

Explore the history of Izumo magatama and agate craftsmanship.

Mount Mesanbe

Mount Mesanbe

SHIMANE · PLACE

A 957-meter lava dome in Shimane offering panoramic views via a tourist lift and short summit hi...

Maruyama Castle

Maruyama Castle

SHIMANE · CASTLE

Explore Maruyama Castle ruins, a 16th-century mountain fortress with impressive stone walls.

Izumo-taisha Iwami Branch Shrine

Izumo-taisha Iwami Branch Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

A Shinto branch shrine of Izumo Oyashiro, worth visiting for its spiritual connection.

Homori Shrine

Homori Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Homori Shrine honors the ancestor god of cuisine, offering a unique cultural experience.

Matsue Shrine

Matsue Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Matsue Shrine, a historic site within Matsue Castle grounds, offers a glimpse into samurai herit...

Ame-no-Toyotarashikara-hime-no-mikoto Shrine

Ame-no-Toyotarashikara-hime-no-mikoto Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

An ancient shrine listed in the Engishiki records featuring a main hall dedicated to the deity o...

Imaichi Dainenji Kofun

Imaichi Dainenji Kofun

SHIMANE · HISTORIC SITE

Largest keyhole-shaped tumulus in Izumo, a National Historic Site with a massive stone coffin.

Oki Kyōdo-kan Museum

Oki Kyōdo-kan Museum

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

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

Hei-jinja Kofun

Hei-jinja Kofun

SHIMANE · HISTORIC SITE

Explore the largest ancient burial mound in the Oki Islands, a keyhole-shaped tumulus from the 6...

Mioya Shrine

Mioya Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Mioya Shrine, also called Tenjin-san, is a historic site with a kofun behind the main shrine.

Shimane Art Museum

Shimane Art Museum

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

Japan's largest museum dedicated to water-themed art, with stunning Lake Shinji sunset views.

Matsue History Museum

Matsue History Museum

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

Explore Matsue's Edo period history in a modern museum with a traditional Japanese aesthetic.

Ikan Shrine

Ikan Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Ikan Shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine in Hamada City, founded in 861, significant for its hist...

Mankusen Shrine

Mankusen Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Mankusen Shrine is a historic subordinate shrine in Izumo, known as the last stop for the gods.

Mt. Akahage

Mt. Akahage

SHIMANE · PLACE

The highest peak on Chiburijima Island offering 360-degree views, grazing livestock, and histori...

Kamosu Shrine

Kamosu Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Kamosu Shrine, a National Treasure, preserves Japan's oldest Taisha-zukuri main hall.

Daikon Island

Daikon Island

SHIMANE · PLACE

A volcanic island in Lake Nakaumi famous for its extensive peony cultivation, ginseng history, a...

Miho Shrine

Miho Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Miho Shrine is a significant Shinto shrine known for prosperity, fishing, and music.

Adachi Museum of Art

Adachi Museum of Art

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

See a top-ranked Japanese garden and art collection, including Yokoyama Taikan's works.

Sada Shrine

Sada Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Sada Shrine is an ancient shrine in Matsue, home to important traditional dance and architecture...

Tamatsukuri Onsen

Tamatsukuri Onsen

SHIMANE · PLACE

A historic hot spring town mentioned in 8th-century records, famous for its mineral-rich waters...

Gessho-ji Temple

Gessho-ji Temple

SHIMANE · TEMPLE

Gessho-ji Temple is an ancestral temple with unique graves, including a giant stone tortoise and...

Yaegaki Shrine

Yaegaki Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Ancient shrine dedicated to deities, known for its cultural properties and unique festivals.

Dōgojima

Dōgojima

SHIMANE · PLACE

The largest of the Oki Islands, offering historic shrines and the temple where Emperor Go-Daigo...

Hiyoshi Shrine

Hiyoshi Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Hiyoshi Shrine, or Sanno-san, is a historic shrine in Izumo City, easily accessible from the sta...

Mount Sanbe

Mount Sanbe

SHIMANE · PLACE

An active volcano in Daisen-Oki National Park featuring six peaks surrounding a central crater l...

Rensho-ji Temple

Rensho-ji Temple

SHIMANE · TEMPLE

Rensho-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren temple rebuilt after fire, offering a glimpse into its p...

Chōman-ji Temple

Chōman-ji Temple

SHIMANE · TEMPLE

Choman-ji Temple, founded in 1577, is a Nichiren sect temple worth visiting for its historical s...

Shinjiko Nature Museum Gobius

Shinjiko Nature Museum Gobius

SHIMANE · PARK

An aquarium dedicated to local freshwater and brackish organisms, great for families and nature...

Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo

Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

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

Nishinoshima Island

Nishinoshima Island

SHIMANE · PLACE

A scenic island in the Oki archipelago featuring dramatic coastal cliffs, historic shrines, and...

Fumishima

Fumishima

SHIMANE · PLACE

A sacred uninhabited island and national natural monument famous for columnar rock formations an...

Ogawa Family Sesshū Garden

Ogawa Family Sesshū Garden

SHIMANE · GARDEN

Explore a 15th-century pond-viewing garden, a prefectural scenic beauty, said to be designed by...

Kamienya Tsukiyama Kofun

Kamienya Tsukiyama Kofun

SHIMANE · HISTORIC SITE

Explore this ancient circular burial mound with unique stone coffins, a designated National Hist...

Tangean Kofun

Tangean Kofun

SHIMANE · HISTORIC SITE

Tangean Kofun is a rare square-shaped burial mound from the 5th century.

Iwami Silver Mine Museum

Iwami Silver Mine Museum

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

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

Ama Town Emperor Go-Toba Museum

Ama Town Emperor Go-Toba Museum

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

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

Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center

Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

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

Enpuku-ji Temple

Enpuku-ji Temple

SHIMANE · TEMPLE

Enpuku-ji Temple, founded in 1558, offers a unique blend of Buddhist and Shinto worship.

Inada Shrine

Inada Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Inada Shrine honors a goddess of good relationships, offering a glimpse into ancient myths.

Ichibata-ji Temple

Ichibata-ji Temple

SHIMANE · TEMPLE

Ichibata-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple known for eye healing.

Kamienya Jizōyama Kofun

Kamienya Jizōyama Kofun

SHIMANE · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 7th-century kofun, a National Historic Site, showcasing ancient burial architecture.

Izumo Science Center

Izumo Science Center

SHIMANE · MUSEUM

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

Jōfuku-ji Temple

Jōfuku-ji Temple

SHIMANE · TEMPLE

Jofukuji is a restored Shingon temple housing a rare sutra and ancient Buddhist statues.

Senju-in Temple

Senju-in Temple

SHIMANE · TEMPLE

Senju-in Temple is a historic site offering views of Matsue Castle and a beautiful weeping cherr...

Adakaya Shrine

Adakaya Shrine

SHIMANE · SHRINE

Adakaya Shrine is an ancient shrine in Shimane, known for its rare decennial festival.

Matsue Vogel Park

Matsue Vogel Park

SHIMANE · PARK

Matsue Vogel Park is a large, accessible bird and flower park with unique shows.

Mount Jakuchi

Mount Jakuchi

SHIMANE · PLACE

The highest peak in Yamaguchi Prefecture, offering scenic climbing routes through gorges and acr...

Izumo Taisha

Izumo Taisha

SHIMANE · SHRINE

One of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to the deity Okuninushi-no-Ok...

Tsuwano Castle

Tsuwano Castle

SHIMANE · CASTLE

Explore Tsuwano Castle ruins, a mountaintop fortress with impressive stone walls and historical...

Eastern Liancourt Rocks

Eastern Liancourt Rocks

SHIMANE · PLACE

A disputed volcanic island featuring steep cliffs, a lighthouse, and military facilities under S...

Kokubuo Castle

Kokubuo Castle

SHIMANE · CASTLE

Explore the ruins of Kokubuo Castle, a historic Oki clan residence with impressive stone walls.

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