MATSUE TEMPLE

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, [...]

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 [...]

Located in Tsuwano, this temple is the resting place of 12 generations of the Tsuwano ruling clan. It was built in 1420. It used to be a large temple which trained over 200 monks. The important historical relics of the temple can be viewed freely. Admission tickets are on sale to the right of the [...]

 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 [...]

Toko-ji Temple in Yasugi was established in 1486 by Amago Tsunehisa a famous lord who unified the San-in area. It has since become the resting place of the Amago clan. Access: Take the yellow bus bound for Hirose from Yasugi Station. Get off at Yasugi City Hospital and it is around a five minute walk.

Joanji Temple was founded in 1312. The architecture, carvings on the entrance gate and and the garden are particularly beautiful. (If you would like to see the garden, ring the bell at the entrance. ) The main entrance is usually closed, so visitors should use the entrance to the left of the gate. Access: Take [...]

Shogen-ji Temple was built in 1601 and is the resting place of the local magistrates of Iwani Ginzan. The gate and temple are adorned with stunning carvings. Inside the temple there are pictures and gold statues of the deity Kannon. It is free to walk around the temple grounds, however the admission fee for entering [...]

Rakanji Temple is located in the World Heritage Iwami Ginzan area. There are around 500 statues in front of the temple, which are said to appease the souls of the workers killed in the silver mine. They were made in the 1700s with the cooperation of the local people. Each one has a unique expression, [...]

Seisuiji Temple is located in the World Heritage Iwami Ginzan area. It is said the temple was built by Empress Suitenno after she received a divine message in a dream. After the temple was established, silver mining began and the temple became a popular place of worship. Getting to the Iwami Silver Mine area: From Nima Station: [...]

Saishoji-Temple was established before the silver mine and is this area’s oldest and largest temple. The roofs of the gate and main hall are lined with local traditional slate called sekishu-gawara. The kyo-do (scripture storage hall) next to the main hall is a well-known example of the beauty of Japanese architecture with its wall carvings of phoenix and peonies. [...]

Iwakuraji-Temple in Yasugi was established in 726AD and is a designated Important Cultural Asset of Japan. It was originally located upstream of the Toda River, but was moved to its present location in 1187 and made the official temple of Toda Castle. The main hall contains a statue of the Kannon deity and original paintings [...]

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 [...]