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 [...]

Mt. Yakumo is just behind Suga Shrine in Daito, Unnan, and is famous for being the birthplace of the poetry form “waka”. The mountain spring water is said to be sacred and bring longevity and prevent aging. Getting There: Take the Ichibata Bus bound for Daito from JR Matsue Station. Get off at Suga (approx. [...]

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 [...]

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.

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 [...]

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 [...]

Yasaka Shrine is located in Tsuwano Town in Western Shimane. It is dedicated to Susano and is famous for its “Heron dance” ritual which is held annually on July 20th and 27th. The tradition started in 1542 as a ritual to repel illness and bad health, and has continued ever since. In the temple grounds [...]

Kigami Shrine is located in the World Heritage Iwami Ginzan area. The main deity of the shrine is Oomononushi (Ookuninushi). It was built in the hope that it would bring prosperity to the silver mine. Inside the prayer hall is a ceiling mural of a dragon. If you sit under the mural and clap your [...]

Toyosaka Shrine is located in the World Heritage Iwami Ginzan area. It is associated with Mori Motonari, the warrior who ruled most of the Chugoku area in the warring states era. Getting to the Iwami Silver Mine area: From Nima Station: Take the bus bound for Omori Daikansho ato. (15 mins). From Oda Station: Take the bus [...]