Shimane Hidden Gems
9 spots
Izumo Taisha — Ancient Shrine of Marriage & Destiny
Izumo Taisha is one of Japan's oldest shrines, maybe the oldest depending on who's counting. It's dedicated to Okuninush…
Matsue Castle — Original Black Castle National Treasure
Matsue Castle (松江城) is one of Japan's 12 surviving original castles, built in 1611 and never destroyed by war or fire. T…
Adachi Museum of Art — World's Best Japanese Garden
Adachi Museum of Art has been ranked the #1 Japanese garden in Japan by the Journal of Japanese Gardening for over 20 co…
Iwami Ginzan — UNESCO Silver Mine Heritage
Iwami Ginzan is the remains of Japan's biggest silver mine, which from 1526 to 1923 pulled enough silver out of these mo…
Horikawa Moat Boat Ride — Roofed Boat Through Castle Town
Horikawa Sightseeing Boat (堀川めぐり) navigates the 3.7km moat surrounding Matsue Castle, passing under 16 bridges (some ext…
Matsue Wagashi Sweets — Tea Culture Capital
Matsue is ranked among Japan's top wagashi (和菓子, traditional Japanese sweets) cities, with per-capita wagashi consumptio…
Tsuwano — Little Kyoto of San'in & Carp Canal
Tsuwano (津和野) is a preserved castle town nicknamed 'Little Kyoto of San'in' for its traditional architecture, samurai di…
Lafcadio Hearn Residence — Ghost Story Writer's Home
Lafcadio Hearn (小泉八雲, Koizumi Yakumo, 1850–1904) was a Greek-Irish writer who moved to Japan in 1890, married a samurai'…
Oki Islands — UNESCO Geopark Cliffs & Sea Caves
Oki Islands (隠岐諸島) are a remote archipelago in the Sea of Japan, 40–80km north of mainland Shimane. The islands form a U…