This brightly coloured shrine is dedicated to the gods Amaterasu and Susano. As it lies in the west, it was established as a shrine to protect the country after nightfall. It later became a holy site from which to worship the evening sun, and such rituals are held throughout the year. See more details Special [...]

Izumo Taisha is one of Japan’s most well-known and important shrines, and attracts worshippers from all over the country. It is dedicated to the god Okuni-nushi and was built for him in return for him giving up the land to the Yamato rulers. The shrine complex is vast and contains many halls and shrines. The [...]

A shrine dedicated to the deity Takemikajichi who acted as negotiator between Okuni-nushi, to whom Izumo Taisha is dedicated, and Amaterasu, the sun goddess who received the land from Okuni-nushi. Access: 25 minutes on foot from Izumo Taisha-mae Station. It is around 15 mins from Izumo Taisha and is opposite Chokoku-ji Temple.

A small and peaceful Inari Shrine not far from Izumo Taisha. Access: 15 minutes on foot from Izumo Taisha-mae Station.

The shrine is dedicated to Susano and Yaoyorozu – the myriad of deities. Every October, the gods of all the shrines around the country are said to descend on this area and meet to discuss the coming year. Getting There: It is a 20 minute walk from Izumo Taisha-mae Station and 10 minutes from Izumo [...]

 Chokoku-ji Temple is located in Izumo not far from Izumo Taisha. It was moved to its present location after 1651 when the area in which it originally stood was flooded. The main deity is the eleven-headed Kannon, but it is a ‘hidden’ statue, and so cannot be viewed by the public. Waterfall where the temple [...]

The rope that the God Yatsukamizuomizunu used in the Kunibiki land pulling legend is said to have turned into the sandy Inasa Beach. The beach and shrine are in the Western part of the Izumo peninsula, and boast fantastic sunsets. The shrine perched on the large rock on the beach is called Benten-Jima, and it [...]

Nagahama Shrine  is dedicated to the god Yatsuka-mizuo-mitsunu, who is well-known for the Kunibiki land pulling legend that appears in the ancient chronicles Fudoki. The god is known as the god of improvement in sports and martial arts and the protector of land and estate. The shrine is located at the top of a mountain [...]

Mine-ji is a mountain temple located deep in Mitoya, deep in the heart of rural Unnan City. It was founded in 658AD and is said to protect against misfortune and to bring good luck. The garden was created by the lord of Matsue, Matsudaira Fumaiko, and incorporates the neighbouring mountian Iga-yama as borrowed scenery into the overall [...]

Ichibata Yakushi Temple

Hinomisaki

Susa Shrine