Thanks to its unique architecture and original wooden structure, Matsue Castle is famous for being one of Japan's last authentic castles. Completed in 1611, Matsue Castle is a wonder that everyone has to see at least once in their life. [...]

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Located in the heart of the fishing town Mihonoseki in Shimane prefecture you will find the small 500 meter long Aoishidatamidori street which is lined with old houses, inns, and museums. It’s made famous by the stones used to pave the road that is supposed to turn slightly blue [...]

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The Dangyokei Gorge of Ochi-gun in Shimane prefecture was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1935. Later turned into a park, the 4km long and 100m deep ravine has the Gonokawa River at its bottom. While for safety reasons it is prohibited to swim […]

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Located in Karakawa Town in Shimane prefecture, Karakama-jinja Shrine, is an ancient shrine known for being mentioned in both the Engishiki, a Japanese book about laws and customs from 927, as well as Izumo no Kuni Fudoki which are ancient reports on provincial culture, geography, and oral tradition. [...]

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Located in the lovely city of Izumo in Shimane prefecture, Izumo Taisha is actually one of Japan’s most important shrines. While we have no clear date when Izumo Taisha was erected, we find some mention of Izumo Taisha in the early 700s in Japan’s oldest chronicles. [...]

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Ohnan town and district is not what one can call a true tourist hot-spot when compared to many other locations within Shimane prefecture. Honestly, this is exactly why we love Ohnan town and district so much! [...]

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Located deep in a mountainous district of Shimane in the village of Omori, you will find Iwami Ginzan, a historic silver mine now turned museum/attraction that was designated as a World Heritage Site in July 2007. Small in size compared to today’s standard, it is said that the […]

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Iwami Ginzan Village who’s official name is Omori Town, is located in the Oda mountain of Shimane, a beautiful mountain village famous for its silver. While most silver in the surrounding mines have been extracted, Iwami Ginzan Village is still thriving thanks to its many temples and of course […]

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The terraced rice fields of San-nouji, are the pride and joy of Shimane residents and are considered some of Japan’s best. With about 200 rice paddies stretched out over a hillside landscape 300 meters above sea level, San-nouji terraced rice fields are also a place for people […]

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Built-in 1776 Gohyaku-rakan is located in the silver mining village of Omori in Oda in the Iwami area of shimane. Gohyaku-rakan is a Shingon Buddhist temple designed as a memorial service for all working miners of the silver mines in the area. [...]

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Located in the heart of the silver rush is the mining city of Oda. Also known as Iwami Ginzan, you will find the beautiful little shrine of Kigami. With its Shimenawa (enclosing rope) hanging in front of the main entrance and the beautiful dragon painted on the main hall ceiling […]

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Suga Shrine, located in Daito-cho in Unnan City, is dedicated to Susanoo, a powerful storm god and his wife Kushinada-hime (also known as Inada-hime) who both settled there after their marriage and the defeat of the Orochi (Yamata No Orochi). Suga Shrine is also known as […]

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