IZUMO SHRINE

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 old Taisha Station was opened in 1912, and was closed in 1990. The present building was built in 1924, and is unusual in that it incorporates elements of shrine architecture into its design. It was designated as an important cultural property of Japan in 2004. Opening Times: 9:00am – 5:00pm Access: Turn left out [...]

Momen Kaido (Cotton Road) is located in Hirata, and is an old merchants’ quarter. Many sake distilleries and soy sauce makers that were established in the Edo Period remain, and many continue to work in the original buildings. The area was famous for its cotton, which, along with other products, was transported out to Osaka [...]

Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Railway is the nearest station to Izumo Taisha. It was built in 1930 in a Western style, and is now a designated cultural property of Japan. You can rent bicycles at the station, although cycling in the Izumo Taisha shrine grounds is prohibited. As you come out of the building, [...]

Hinomisaki Lighthouse Built in 1903, the lighthouse is the tallest in Japan, standing at 43.6 metres. For a small fee, visitors can climb the narrow spiral staircase to the 360 degree outdoor observation deck at the top. Opening times: 9:00 – 16:30 Closed on Dec. 30th, 31st, and from Feb. 4th – March 7th. Phone [...]

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 [...]