Spots List

Hatago Oda Onsen

Hatago Oda Onsen

A historic inn founded in the Taisho era, standing near the coast of Izumo City. Its water contains incredibly high levels of metasilicic acid and is famous as a remarkably smooth "skin-beautifying hot spring." The atmospheric Sukiya-style building maintains traditional Japanese architectural beauty while incorporating modern sensibilities, providing a high-quality private space. The cuisine prides itself on creative Japanese dishes using fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and local seasonal vegetables. Surrounded by quiet rural scenery and listening to the distant sound of waves, time spent here is truly blissful. A famous inn loved by travelers seeking depth in...

Shimane
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Iwami Onsen Kiri-no-yu

Iwami Onsen Kiri-no-yu

A hot spring facility in Ohnan Town surrounded by rich nature. Its waters contain high-quality components and have long been loved by locals for relieving physical and mental fatigue. From the open-air bath, you can view the Iwami mountains that change expressions each season, allowing for a soak while immersed in the "original scenery of a Japanese rural village." The adjacent restaurant offers dishes using fresh local ingredients, making the combination of hot springs and gourmet food very attractive. Although not a flashy resort, it is a hideaway spot for authentic-minded travelers who value local Japanese warmth and quiet time...

Shimane
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kannon-taki Falls

Kannon-taki Falls

A mystical waterfall located deep in the forest of Unnan City. Although the drop is not very large, it is surrounded by mossy rocks and dense trees, creating a sacred atmosphere as if a Kannon deity were enshrined there. You can get very close to the waterfall, and the negative ions will gently heal your mind and body. It is loved as a summer resort for its coolness, a quiet scenic spot in autumn with foliage, and by photography enthusiasts and travelers seeking healing. It is a place where you can reflect on yourself in silence where only the sound...

Shimane
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Katsurashima Island

Katsurashima Island

A small, land-connected island located just off Kaga Port in Matsue City. It's popular for its dynamic rocky areas with traces of volcanic activity and highly transparent sea, making it an ideal spot for easy island exploration. With well-maintained promenades, you can observe uniquely shaped rocks and caves created by wave erosion, as well as seasonal coastal plants while feeling the sea breeze. In summer, it buzzes with people enjoying camping and swimming, and snorkeling offers a close view of the Sea of Japan's rich ecosystem. Although only about 30 minutes by car from central Matsue, it is a hidden...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Harashika Manor

Harashika Manor

A vast residence of a wealthy landowner (Gono) built in late Edo period, located in Izumo City. Beyond the heavy gate lies the main building featuring high ceilings and thick beams, as well as a beautifully maintained Japanese garden, where you can see the essence of Japan's rich rural culture and architectural techniques up close. Surrounded by Tsuijimatsu (pine windbreaks) unique to the Izumo region, the estate is filled with wisdom and aesthetics for protecting a home from harsh nature, like a "living architectural museum." For travelers interested in the functional beauty of traditional Japanese houses and spatial design in...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Akana Wetland

A precious wetland located on a plateau at an altitude of about 450m in Iinan Town. It is a treasure trove of nature where you can observe Japanese alder forests, rare in the San'in region, and lovely wetland plants that bloom each season. The skunk cabbages in spring and the autumn colors of the grasses are particularly beautiful, and you can feel the silent breath of the forest while walking the promenade. Enveloped in clear air and the chirping of birds, it is a "natural healing spot." Even for those who find full-scale climbing difficult, it offers easy trekking on...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tanishorakko

A community center in Ohnan Town created by repurposing a closed elementary school building. Retaining its wooden warmth and nostalgic school atmosphere, it’s a place where visitors can experience rural life through local cuisine and traditional workshops. Interacting with the warm locals in the hallways that still smell of wood provides a special heart-moving experience beyond mere sightseeing. It is an ideal spot for travelers seeking the "original scenery of Japan" and a sense of belonging in a peaceful mountain village.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Lake Sakura Orochi

Lake Sakura Orochi

A vast artificial lake created by the construction of Obara Dam in Unnan City, named after the myth of "Yamata-no-Orochi." About 2,000 cherry trees are planted around the lake, and the view reflected in the water in spring is spectacular. It features one of the best rowing facilities in western Japan, and activities like cycling, walking, and canoeing are popular. With nearby accommodations, campsites, and hot springs, it is ideal for travelers wanting an active refresh in great nature. A recreation spot where you can enjoy the landscape fusion of Japan's dynamic civil engineering and rich nature while feeling mythological...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hamada Marine Bridge

Hamada Marine Bridge

A beautiful cable-stayed bridge spanning 615m over Hamada Port. With an elegant design featuring cables stretched diagonally from white towers like a bird spreading its wings, it is a symbol of Hamada City. A pedestrian path is also developed on the bridge, offering breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan horizon, fishing boats coming and going in the port, and the scene of the sky turning madder red at sunset. The illuminated night view is especially mystical, and viewing it from the nearby castle ruins across the port is also recommended. A place where you can directly feel the expanse...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hamada Castle Ruins

Hamada Castle Ruins

The site of the former Hamada Clan castle, now cherished as a beautiful park. Though the buildings are gone, the exquisitely piled stone walls and the reconstructed gate convey the samurai authority of the past. The castle mountain is a small hill, and from the observatory, you can enjoy a wonderful view overlooking Hamada City, the deep blue Sea of Japan, and the massive "Hamada Marine Bridge." The ruins colored by spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage are very photogenic. A perfect spot for a stroll where you can feel the city's history connecting the samurai era to the present...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yunotsu

A hot spring town registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Iwami Ginzan. Traces of the days when it flourished as a shipping port for silver remain strong, and the streetscape with weathered wooden buildings is designated as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings." There are two high-quality communal baths, "Yakushiyu" and "Motoyu," and Yakushiyu is especially known for its high efficacy, with its retro Western-style building being very attractive. At night, orange lights illuminate the old streets, and the rhythmic sound of Iwami Kagura heard from somewhere evokes a travel mood. A rare place...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Unnan City

Located in the inland of Shimane, this is a rural city where the "Hii River," the setting for the myth of "Yamata-no-Orochi," flows. In spring, the "Hii River Embankment Cherry Blossoms" stretching for several kilometers offer breathtaking beauty, allowing you to enjoy quintessential Japanese spring scenery. Additionally, the history of traditional "Tatara Ironmaking" still lives here, with shrines deifying the god of iron and streetscapes of old storehouses. Mystical water landscapes like the massive "Ryuzu-ga-taki" and "Yae-taki" waterfalls are also abundant. The rich nature as an original landscape of Japan, mythological stories, and warm daily life of the people will...

Shimane
Area Info
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Oki Shrine

Located on Nakanoshima (Ama Town), this shrine was built to deify Emperor Go-Toba, who spent his final years on this island. It features elegant and refined shrine buildings intended to commemorate the Emperor, with related historical remains and a museum scattered nearby. In spring, the cherry blossom trees along the approach are exceptionally beautiful, and night illuminations are mystical. Despite its background of historical tragedy, the precincts are incredibly peaceful, preserving the island scenery and silence that the Emperor likely loved. It's a spot with spiritual depth where you can feel the deep respect of the islanders while tracing the...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mizuwakasu Shrine

Mizuwakasu Shrine

The Ichinomiya (highest-ranking shrine) of Oki Province, enshrined in Oki-no-shima Town. The main hall, featuring a unique architectural style called "Oki-zukuri," is designated as a National Important Cultural Property and shows an incredibly dignified and elegant appearance. Adjacent to the shrine are the "Oki Folk Museum" and a traditional "Sumo Ring," making it a place to deeply learn about the island's unique sumo culture and history. Surrounded by a quiet forest, walking the approach envelops you in a sacred atmosphere that makes you stand tall. As a central place of faith on the island, it's an essential visit to experience...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Dankyo-no-taki Falls

Dankyo-no-taki Falls

A sacred waterfall located deep in the mountains of Oki-no-shima Town, selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. Two waterfalls, male and female, flow from the cliff, with Dankyo Shrine enshrined between them. The main feature is the "Urami" (view from behind) experience, where you can go behind the male waterfall. The view through the curtain of falling water is mystical, and it's said that winners of Oki's traditional events like "Bull-fighting" and "Oki Classical Sumo" used to purify themselves here. The roar echoing in the deep forest silence and the negative ions enveloping your body allow you to...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yui Coast Foreshore

Yui Coast Foreshore

An extremely rare geological landscape spreading along the Yui Coast of Oki-no-shima Town. A vast rock shelf (a terrain like a washboard) eroded horizontally by waves spreads across the sea surface, and you can walk on it during low tide. The sight of highly transparent seawater washing the rock shelf is nature's art itself. Here, you can immerse yourself in the openness of the Sea of Japan while feeling the Earth's formations created over millions of years under your feet. At sunset, it sometimes reflects the sky like a water mirror, making it very photogenic. A superb view spot where...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Old Oku Approach

Old Oku Approach

A quiet approach full of faith and history in the Oku district of Oki-no-shima Town. Moss-covered stone steps and surrounding giant trees create an original sacred atmosphere of Japanese Shinto. Because it is not overly developed for tourism, you can spend a quiet time facing yourself while listening to the whispers of the forest and birds. From the small shrine and vantage points at the top, you can feel the powerful nature of Oki, truly experiencing a walk in a "sacred place." An essential visit for authentic-minded travelers wanting to touch the depths of history and the island's spiritual roots.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Oki Monozukuri School

Oki Monozukuri School

A creative complex born from repurposing a closed junior high school in Oki-no-shima Town. Classrooms have been transformed into workshops, offices, and cafes, where you can experience craftsmanship and workshops using materials unique to the island. The warmth of the wooden building and the nostalgic atmosphere remain, allowing you to feel Japanese school culture just by walking the corridors. It has become a place where artists and craftsmen from both inside and outside the island interact, sharing a new way of "island life." A popular spot for high-sensitivity travelers to meet locals through experiences and discover Oki's new charm and...

Shimane
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Saigo Ohashi Bridge

Saigo Ohashi Bridge

A massive red bridge that is a landmark of Saigo Bay in Oki-no-shima Town. Spanning the bay, this bridge is both a vital transportation hub and a top-notch vantage point. From atop the bridge, you can simultaneously enjoy a panorama of the lively Saigo Port with fishing boats and ferries, deep green mountains, and the endless Sea of Japan. Especially at dusk, the bridge's silhouette against the madder red sky and the lights of the harbor reflecting on the water is very dramatic. A symbolic landmark where you can instantly realize Oki's beauty upon arrival or departure.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Former Oki Airport

Former Oki Airport

Formerly the gateway to the Oki Islands, the site has been repurposed as a multi-purpose open space and park. The spacious area retaining traces of the runway provides a great sense of openness, and combined with the seaside location, it is cherished as a place for strolls, sports, and events. Seeing modern transportation heritage transform into a new relaxation spot for the island makes you feel the transition of history. Feeling the sea breeze in this place that once welcomed many travelers, you can experience the vastness of Oki's sky and sea. A quiet and luxurious island spot.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Former Hatasako Hospital

Former Hatasako Hospital

A former hospital site in Tsuwano Town, featuring a beautiful wooden Western-style building from the Taisho era. At the time, it boasted modern facilities and design as a base for regional medical care. Currently open to the public as a museum, you can view the consultation rooms, medical equipment, and a beautiful medicinal herb garden from that era. The retro atmosphere of the building is very beautiful, conveying Japan's enthusiasm for modernization. The appearance of the Western building suddenly appearing in a quiet rural landscape evokes a travel mood like a historical drama set. A unique place to enjoy architectural...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tsuwano Castle Ruins

Tsuwano Castle Ruins

The site of the former castle of the Tsuwano lords, built on Mt. Reikei at an altitude of 367m. Though the buildings are gone, the magnificent stone walls remaining at the summit convey the technological power and authority of the samurai from that time. You can climb from the foot by a sightseeing lift, and from the summit, you can enjoy a superb view overlooking the streets of Tsuwano, known as the "Little Kyoto of San'in," and the sight of SL steam trains running. Due to its fog-prone terrain, you might encounter mystical scenery like a "Castle in the Sky"...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tonomachi Street

Tonomachi Street

The main street in Tsuwano Town that retains the strongest atmosphere of a castle town. Lined with white-walled storehouses, colorful koi fish swim leisurely in the moats (waterways) along the street. In early summer, iris flowers bloom, making the beauty truly like "a single painting." The unique landscape where Japanese and Western history coexist, featuring samurai residence gates and a Catholic church, is also charming. You can feed the koi while strolling slowly, immersing yourself in the traditional "Wa" spirit and the sophisticated silence unique to Tsuwano. One of the most photogenic areas in Shimane tourism.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Dangyo-kei Valley

Dangyo-kei Valley

A dynamic scenic spot in Ohnan Town created by a branch of the Gōno River. The river has violently eroded massive rock slabs, creating a succession of strange rocks and rapids that look like natural sculptures. As the name "Dan-gyo" (cutting off fish) suggests, the scenery of fierce waterfalls and pools that even fish cannot climb is spectacular. The valley beauty colored by fresh spring greens or autumn foliage is stunning, allowing you to fully bathe in negative ions while walking the promenade. A place to simultaneously experience both the "ruggedness and delicateness" of Japanese nature, highly recommended for active...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter