It is said that Tamatsukuri hot spring was discovered 1300 years ago by the god Sukuna-hikona, who appears in Japanese mythology and accompanied Okuni-nushi around  Japan developing the land and industry. The hot spring appears in the ancient chronicles as “the water of the gods”. The sun god Amaterasu, had three sacred treasures, the sword, the mirror [...]

Kezo-ji Temple is located at the top of Mt. Makuragi (456m) in the northern area of Matsue. It was founded over 1000 years ago, but fell into disrepair over the years. The temple was later revived by the ruling clan of Matsue when the castle was built. The temple lies directly north-east of Matsue Castle, [...]

Kumano Taisha Shrine is located just south of central Matsue in the town of Yakumo. Since ancient times it has been known as the highest ranking shrine in the Izumo region. The main shrine is dedicated to Susano, and the other two shrines are dedicated to Inada-hime and Izanami. The shrines precinct is large and [...]

Jozan Inari Shrine was one of Lafcadio Hearn’s favourite places in Matsue. He would pass by the shrine every day on his way to the school where he was teaching, very often stopped to admire the thousands of kitsune statues that used to surround the shrine building. At the behest of the ruling clan of [...]

Senju-in Temple is famous for its 200 year drooping cherry blossm tree. The blossoms bloom fully for around three days and attract many visitors throughout the day and also into the night. The best time to visit is from the end of March to early April. The temple itself was originally located  in Yasugi, however [...]

Miho Shrine is located in the small fishing village of Mihonoseki, and the main deity, Kotoshiro-nushi is worshipped as the God of good fortune, fishing and safety at sea. The deity is the child of Okuni-nushi and is also known as Ebisu. Miho Shrine is the head shrine of the thousands of shrines dedicated to [...]

Ho-onji Temple is located in the Tamayu area of Matsue. There are many jizo statues in the grounds, and the statue in the main hall is the largest figure of the Kannon deity in Shimane, standing at a height of 4.22m. It is a designated cultural property of the prefecture. Behind the temple is a [...]

Along with Izumo Taisha and Kumano Taisha, Sada Shrine is one of the main shrines in Shimane. The gods that are enshrined here keep a watchful eye over the local area,  and protect it from misfortune. It is said that from the time when the spirit of Izanami was brought here from Mt. Hiba, the gods have been [...]

Tawara Shrine is located not far from Matsue Castle, and the guardian lions on the approach are said to be the largest in Shimane Prefecture. The shrine grounds have many cherry blossom trees and azaleas, and are particulary stunning in spring and autumn. The gods of the srine are Takemikazuchi, Futsunushi, Ameno-koyane and Hime-ookami. It [...]

Yaegaki Shrine is dedicated to Susano and his bride Kushinada-hime. They came here to get married after Susano saved Kushinada-hime from Yamata-no-Orochi, the eight-headed creature. There is a pond in the forest at the back of the shrine, which is said to have been used as a mirror by the princess. A well-known and popular [...]

Tamatsukuri Yu shrine is located upstream on the east side of the Tamayu River. The ancients used to carve magatama beads out of the green and red agate which was found on Mt. Kasen in the eastern area of Tamayu. The agate is said to be sacred, and it is believed that if you touch [...]

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