Guide to Shimane: Japan's Spiritual Capital

Shimane Prefecture is one of Japan’s most quietly captivating regions. Long considered the spiritual heart of the nation, it’s home to Izumo Taisha — one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines — and a coastline steeped in myth, legend, and history.

If you’ve only explored cities so far, it’ll feel like a breath of fresh air, literally. And if it’s your first trip to Japan, Shimane is a gentle entry point: scenic, storied, and not overwhelmed by tourism.

This is your guide to Shimane and its must-see highlights.

Pro tip: Read our 3-day itinerary for Shimane.

What to see in Shimane

With its mix of spiritual sites and natural landscapes, Shimane is ideal for travelers seeking a quieter slice of Japan.

Matsue, the prefectural capital, is a designated Little Kyoto, with gorgeous traditional buildings and venerable Matsue Castle watching over.

Nearby Izumo is considered the cradle of Japanese mythology, while the Iwami region in the south offers World Heritage-listed silver mines and industrial history.

Further afield, the Oki Islands, boasting unique biodiversity, comprise a UNESCO Global Geopark.

How much time to spend in Shimane

Exploring Shimane properly — at a leisurely pace, while letting your curiosity guide you — could easily take a week. Reserve at least 3 or 4 days for a glimpse of its old-world magic.

Temples, shrines, and spiritual sites

Shimane is home to some of Japan’s most venerated spiritual sites.

Izumo Taisha

Izumo Taisha, or the Izumo Grand Shrine, is so old that it’s believed to predate written history itself. It is one of the oldest active places of worship in the world, and it’s central to Japan’s origin myths.

Izumo Taisha is where the Shinto gods are said to gather in the 10th lunar month (usually in October or November), during what’s known in Shimane as kamiarizuki or “the month of the gods” (while the rest of Japan refers to it as kannazuki or “the month without gods”).

Izumo Taisha Kamiari Festival

Dates:

Early

~

Mid

Nov

Entry:Free

Venues:

Inasa-no-Hama, Izumo Taisha

Read more

Even if you’re not especially keen on shrines, the massive sacred ropes or shimenawa that guard the main hall and imposing wooden architecture are awe-inspiring.

You could easily spend an entire day wandering the precincts, and if you can spare the time, we highly recommend that you do just that.

Inasa-no-Hama

Inasa-no-Hama is a must‑visit stop about a 15-minute walk from Izumo Taisha. Widely listed among Japan’s top 100 sunset beaches, it features a broad sweep of pale sand, a lone torii gate facing the Sea of Japan, and a small shrine perched on offshore rock (Bentenjima). This divine beach is where the gods first land, subsequently making their way to Izumo Taisha for their annual summit.

Inasa-no-Hama

Address:Taishacho Kizukikita, Izumo, Shimane

Admission:Free

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Historical spots

Momen Kaidō

Momen Kaidō is a preserved townscape that once thrived as a center for cotton trading. Restored in the past quarter century by passionate locals, you can now stroll around the area and sample sake and craft beer, taste soy sauce, or crunch into a perfect, sparkly square of handmade ginger candy. The best way to experience this area is by booking a walking tour (paid English interpretation services available upon request).

Matsue Castle

One of Japan’s few remaining original castles, Matsue Castle is one of only twelve original castles in Japan, meaning it has survived fires, earthquakes, and war in its original form. Sometimes called the “Black Castle” for its dark wood facade, it was completed in 1611 and offers panoramic views over the city and Lake Shinji from its top floor.

Matsue Castle

Address:1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture 690-0887, Japan

Hours:8:30 am - 6:30 pm (until 5 pm from October to March)

Admission:Adults: ¥670

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Matsue Historic Samurai Quarter

The Matsue Historic Samurai Quarter is a quiet, tree-lined street beside the castle moat, once home to middle-ranking samurai. Similar to the Kurashiki Bikan area, there are preserved residences and elegant cafes. Although walking is an option, the Horikawa River Cruise, guided by charismatic rowers, is objectively more fun.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

Once one of the world’s most productive silver mines, Iwami Ginzan is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk through the old mining tunnels and craft your own silver souvenir.

Museums

Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo

Note: Closed for renovations; scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2025.
Located beside Izumo Taisha, this museum dives deep into the mythological and archaeological roots of the region. Inside, you’ll find giant bronze bells and swords unearthed from nearby sites, detailed reconstructions of the original Izumo shrine, and well-curated exhibits on ancient rituals.

Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and Former Residence

Born in Greece and raised in Ireland, Lafcadio Hearn came to Japan in the late 19th century and became one of its most influential interpreters abroad. He offered English readers some of the earliest and most enduring images of Japan, often ghostly, spiritual, and mysterious. His essays and translations helped define the idea of Japan for generations of foreign readers — for better and for worse. This museum explores that legacy, while the adjacent building preserves his former residence.

Tezen Museum

The Tezen Museum is dedicated to regional craft and the merchant history of Izumo. Housed in two Edo-period storehouses, the museum conserves a collection amassed over generations of the Tezen family, who were prominent local merchants. Exhibits range from ceremonial swords and lacquerware to tea utensils and regional ceramics.

Tezen Museum

Address:〒699-0751 Shimane, Izumo, 大社町杵築西２４５０−１

Hours:9:00 am–4:30 pm | closed Tuesdays

Admission:Adults: ¥800

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Adachi Museum of Art

This museum is famous for its meticulously maintained Japanese gardens, which have been voted the best in Japan for over 20 consecutive years. The founder, Zenko Adachi, saw gardens as “living paintings”. Inside, the galleries hold an impressive collection of modern Japanese paintings.

What to eat in Shimane

Shimane has a lot going on for it in terms of agricultural bounty. Here are just a few foods (and drinks) to try out when you find yourself in the area.

Izumo Soba

Izumo soba is made with whole buckwheat, giving the noodles a darker colour and nuttier taste than typical soba. It’s usually served in a stack of three red lacquer bowls, each layered with different toppings like grated daikon, green onion, raw egg, or crunchy ten-kasu, or tempura bits. A great gluten-free option.

Zenzai

Zenzai is a sweet red bean soup with grilled mochi, eaten especially in winter or during shrine visits. While popular across Japan, Shimane is considered the origin, and the name is likely derived from an old Izumo dialect phrase meaning “auspicious”.

Shimane beef

Shimane is a wagyu powerhouse. The beef here is well-marbled and flavorful, typically served as grilled steak, sukiyaki, or lightly seared with pared down seasonings like salt and miso.

Seafood

The Sea of Japan provides a steady supply of fish and shellfish. In winter, snow crab dominates. Other local specialties include nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), squid, and mackerel. Preparation is usually straightforward — grilled, raw, or simmered.

Clams from Lake Shinji

Lake Shinji is known for its shijimi clams. These small freshwater clams are most commonly served in miso soup, where they add brininess and a slight funk.

Sake

Shimane is regarded as the birthplace of sake in Japan. Today, the prefecture is home to over 30 sake breweries. Notable names include Mochida Sake Brewery (located along the Momen Kaidō), Rihaku, and Okuizumo Jōzō in the interior.

Where to stay in Shimane

Most visitors base themselves in either Matsue or Izumo. Both cities offer good access to transport, major attractions, and a mix of accommodation styles. For those looking to unwind, hot spring towns like Tamatsukuri Onsen and Yunotsu Onsen offer a restorative detour.

Pro tip: Matsue is home to one of the best accessible hotels in the country. Read more here.

Getting around Shimane

Shimane is sparsely populated and in parts, decidedly rural. That said, the tourist infrastructure in places such as Matsue and Izumo is well-developed, and if you base yourself here, you can visit major attractions by relying on public transport. Using a combination of trains and buses, it’s possible to get pretty much anywhere you need to go — just keep an eye on the schedules.

For deeper excursions into the countryside or places like Iwami Ginzan, having a rental car makes things significantly easier.

Trains

The JR San’in Line connects Matsue and Izumo, continuing west toward Masuda and east to Tottori. Trains on this line are limited to local and rapid services. Expect slower travel times and check timetables in advance, especially in the evenings. The Ichibata Railway also runs between Matsue and Izumo Taisha, passing through Tamatsukuri Onsen and Hirata. It’s slower than JR, but more direct if you’re heading to the shrine.

Buses

Local buses serve most tourist spots, though service may be infrequent in more remote areas. There are loop buses that hit major stops like the castle, museums, and hot springs. For getting around Matsue, the Lake Line bus is especially helpful.

Rental cars

If you’re planning to explore beyond the Matsue–Izumo corridor — places like Iwami Ginzan, Okuizumo, or coastal towns — renting a car is the most efficient option.

IC cards and tickets

IC cards like Suica and ICOCA are accepted on JR lines and some buses, but the Ichibata Railway does not take them. For that, you’ll need to buy paper tickets. Make sure to budget time for this.

How to get to Shimane

Shimane isn’t served by a direct bullet train from major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. So, getting there takes a little extra effort. And for that, you’ll be rewarded with fewer crowds and a slower pace.

By plane

Flying is the easiest and fastest way to reach Shimane from Tokyo or Osaka. Izumo Enmusubi Airport is the main hub, with regular direct flights from Haneda (around 90 minutes). Airlines include ANA and JAL. Once you land, there are limousine buses to Matsue, which take about 40 minutes.

A smaller airport in nearby Yonago (Tottori Prefecture) also serves the region.

By train

From Tokyo, take the Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama (about 3.5 hours), then transfer to the Limited Express Yakumo to Matsue or Izumo (about 2.5–3 hours). Total travel time is around 6.5 hours.

From Osaka or Kyoto, the route is similar: take the bullet train to Okayama, then the Yakumo.

With a Japan Rail Pass, this may work out cheaper than flying.

Sunrise Izumo Overnight Train

The Sunrise Izumo is Japan’s last remaining regularly operating overnight sleeper train. Running daily between Tokyo and Izumoshi Station, it covers nearly 1,000 km in about 12 hours, departing late evening and arriving the following morning.

The train departs from Tokyo around 10 p.m., combining with the Sunrise Seto (bound for Takamatsu) until Okayama. After splitting, the Sunrise Izumo continues west with stops in Kurashiki, Bitchū-Takahashi, Niimi, Yonago, Yasugi, Matsue, Shinji, and finally Izumoshi, 15 minutes from Izumo Taisha.

By highway bus

Highway buses connect Matsue and Izumo to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The overnight bus from Tokyo takes around 12 hours and can cost as little as ¥5,000. Daytime buses from Osaka and Kyoto take 6–8 hours. These are good budget options, especially if you’re traveling light.

Willer

Willer buses service the area; the journey costs between ¥8,000–¥14,300 depending on the day. If you want to save money, consider buying a 3-day Willer Bus Pass and using that.

Kosoku

Kosoku is another bus service offering Tokyo to Shimane (Izumo/Matsue) routes for ¥9,500–¥10,500.

Night buses

There are daily night buses run by Ichibata Bus and JR Chugoku Bus. These options cost around ¥15,000.

Shimane FAQs

Is Shimane worth visiting?

Yes, definitely! Shimane is truly the gateway to ancient Japan. It’s rich in spirituality, mythology, and natural beauty. There are hot-spring towns and historical quarters, and the vibe is relaxed. It’s still off-the-beaten-path for most international tourists, so all the key sights are relatively uncrowded. That’s a win in our books.

How many days do you need in Shimane?

3-4 days is a good starting point. That gives you time to explore Matsue, visit Izumo Taisha, spend a night at a hot-spring town like Tamatsukuri, and possibly take a day trip to Iwami Ginzan or the coast. With more time, you could add in rural stays or hop over to the Oki Islands.

Do I need a car?

Not necessarily. You can get around Matsue, Izumo, and Tamatsukuri Onsen using trains and buses. But if you want to explore more rural areas, a rental car makes things easier.