Shimane Hidden Gems
The mythological heart of Japan — where the gods are said to gather each autumn, alongside a silver-mining UNESCO site and a preserved castle.
5 spots
Climate & Best Season
Mild but wet, with grey winters and moderate snow inland. Best in spring, autumn, and during Kamiarizuki in November.
Famous For (Food)
- Izumo soba
- Shijimi clams
- Nodoguro
- Wari-go soba
Signature Sights
- Izumo Taisha
- Matsue Castle
- Iwami Ginzan (UNESCO)
- Adachi Museum garden
Adachi Museum of Art — World's Best Japanese Garden
Adachi Museum of Art has been ranked the #1 Japanese garden in Japan by the Journal of Japanese Gardening for over 20 co…
Lake Shinji Sunset — Ranked Top 100 Sunsets in Japan
Lake Shinji (宍道湖) is Japan's seventh-largest lake, famous for its spectacular sunsets ranked among the nation's top 100.…
Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island
Yuushien Garden (由志園) is a Japanese stroll garden on Daikonshima Island featuring 10,000+ peony flowers in a 40,000 m² l…
Hinomisaki Shrine & Lighthouse — Sacred Sunset Cape
Hinomisaki (日御碕) is a dramatic cape at Shimane's western tip featuring Hinomisaki Shrine (vermillion shrine buildings) a…
Oki Islands — UNESCO Geopark Cliffs & Sea Caves
Oki Islands (隠岐諸島) are a remote archipelago in the Sea of Japan, 40–80km north of mainland Shimane. The islands form a U…