Shimane
Shimane: Places to Visit
Food · Things to do · Where to stay
Most visits to Shimane are to Izumo Taisha, one of the oldest and holiest Shinto shrines in Japan, and to Matsue, whose castle keep is original and one of five classed as a National Treasure. The Adachi Museum of Art is a free shuttle ride from JR Yasugi Station, and the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is a World Heritage site.
Okayama, on the Sanyo Shinkansen, is the main rail gateway: limited express trains from Okayama run to Yasugi, Matsue and Izumo-shi, and Izumo Airport serves the east of the prefecture. Matsue Castle is about 2 km from Matsue Station, with buses to its entrance; for Izumo Taisha, the Ichibata Railway runs from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station, changing at Kawato for Izumotaishamae.
Places in Shimane
- Izumo Taisha — One of the oldest and holiest Shinto shrines in Japan; Ichibata Railway trains run to Izumotaishamae Station, with a change at Kawato.
- Matsue — Matsue Castle, the region's only intact original castle and one of five classed as a National Treasure, about 2 km from Matsue Station.
- Adachi Museum of Art — About 20 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR Yasugi Station.
- Iwami Ginzan — A World Heritage silver mine that produced up to a third of the world's silver in the 17th century.
- Tsuwano — A castle town in the west of the prefecture, reached by limited express from Shin-Yamaguchi.
- Oki Islands — Islands with their own airport; the clear water is used for snorkelling, diving, fishing and kayaking.