Sakaiminato, Matsue, Izumo, Lake Nakaumi, Lake Shinji, and Mt. Daisen Region (Yonago City, Sakaiminato City, Daisen-cho, and Hoki-cho, Tottori Pref.) (Matsue City, Izumo City, Yasugi City, Higashi Izumo-cho, and Hikawa-cho, Shimane Pref.)
A region replete with history
A castle town with spectacular waterfront vistas where visitors can connect with the essence and culture of the Edo period.

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Izumo Taisha Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to the god of marriage. It is said that the gods congregate at the shrine every year in the 10th month by the old lunar calendar, so the 10th month is known as the month when the gods are in attendance. The main hall of the shrine is an example of large shrine construction and it has been designated as a national treasure.

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: - Spring
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: - Summer
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: - Autumn
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: - Winter
- (Dec. - Feb.)
: Culture
: Gourmet
: Relaxation
: Shopping
: Scenery
: Convenience
Yume-Minato Tower-
The observatory at the top of Yume-Minato Tower stands forty-three meters above the ground and commands a wonderful 360-degree panoramic view of Mount Daisen, Miho Bay, Nakaumi, the Shimane Peninsula, and more. A corner of this facility is devoted to introducing the cultures of the countries bordering the Sea of Japan and highlighting Tottori Prefecture.
Umi to Kurashi no Shiryokan (History Museum)-
Housed in a converted old sakagura, Umi to Kurashi no Shiryokan boasts the highest number of stuffed fish, crab, and other marine specimens in Japan as a "water-less aquarium". It is a facility where visitors can view displays on different fishing methods and fishing implements and learn about the relationship between the sea and mankind.
- Sakagura:
- Storehouse containing Japanese sake
Miho Shrine-
This old shrine is noted as existing at the end of the Nara Period (according to the historical volume Izumokuni Fudoki). The main hall is divided into two structures, which is rare in the construction of shrines, and this type of construction became known as Miho construction. The shrine has been designated as an important national cultural property.
Matsue Castle, a historical site-
This castle was constructed about 400 years ago, and the triangular eaves (plover gables) of the observation tower have been reconstructed, reminding us of the wings of a plover floating on the wind. The castle is also known as the Plover Castle.
A free guidebook, the Goodwill Guide, is available in English for tourist visiting from foreign countries
The "Gururutto Matsue - Horikawa Meguri" Tour on the Horikawa Excursion Boat-
This is an excursion boat that takes 50 minutes to go around the moat at Matsue Castle, featuring views of the castle and the old samurai residences, with the atmosphere of the Edo Period (17th-19th centuries). In the winter, tours are conducted on the Kotatsu Boat (heated).
The "Meimeian" Tea-ceremony Room-
This tea-ceremony room was built by the lord of the Matsue clan, Matsudaira Harusato (also known as Fumaiko, the light-hearted lord) and it is located on a high piece of land, making it possible to see the whole of Matsue Castle from the tea-ceremony room. Due to the influence of its lord, tea-ceremonies are still very popular in Matsue.
Streets Along Momen Kaido-
The streets along Momen Kaido exist as living vestiges of Hirata, which grew as a market town during the Edo period (17th to 19th centuries). White clay walls and lattice windows are integrated into town houses built as two-storied tsumairi structures standing side-by-side in a row. Such buildings still remain in various locations throughout the town.
The environs of the area formerly known as Hirata-Funagawa is home to numerous establishments that have been operating since the Edo period, including Shogato, a traditional confectionary, sake storehouses, and soy sauce production and sales outlets. Visitors are invited to indulge their particular cravings in this district.
Hirata-bune is a pleasure boat that has been recently restored to give people the option of sightseeing on land or on water.
Isshiki Kazari-
Isshiki Kazari is a traditional event that involves items made with articles for daily use – such as pottery and lacquer ware – and that has been held since the Edo period. Just as with sets of Buddhist alter fittings and sets of sake merchant devices, Isshiki Kazari can also be regarded as a pleasurable hobby for expressing different scenarios using materials from the same genre.
Sakaiminato
- By air:
- Haneda Airport - Yonago Airport; 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yonago Airport - Sakaiminato Station; 15 minutes by bus/train
- By train:
- Tokyo Station - Sakaiminato Station; 6 hours 10 minutes
Lake Nakaumi, Lake Shinji, Mt. Daisen Region
- By air:
- Haneda Airport - Izumo Airport; about 1 hour 20 minutes
- Haneda Airport - Yonago Airport; 1 hour 20 minutes
- By train:
- Tokyo Station - Okyama - Yonago Station; about 5 hours 45 minutes
Matsue
- By air:
- Haneda Airport - Izumo Airport; 1 hour 20 minutes
- Izumo Airport - Matsue; 25 minutes by bus
- By train:
- Tokyo Station - Okyama - Matsue Station; about 6 hours
- Shin Osaka Station - Matsue Station; 3 hours 30 minutes
Izumo
- By air:
- Haneda Airport - Izumo Airport; about 1 hour 20 minutes
- Izumo Airport - Hirata; 15 minutes by taxi
- By train:
- Tokyo Station - Okyama - Matsue Station; about 6 hours
- Shin-Osaka Station - Matsue Station; 3 hours 30 minutes
- Matsue - Hirata; 35 minutes by taxi
- Sakaiminato Industrial Environment Department, Commercial Division
- Tel: +81-859-47-1068
- Sakaiminato Tourism Association Office
- Tel: +81-859-47-3880
- Sakaiminato Information Office for Tourists
- Tel: +81-859-47-0121
- http://www.sakaiminato.net/site2/page/foreign/eng/(English)
- Lake Nakaumi, Lake Shinji, Mt. Daisen Region Tourism Promotion Association
- http://furusato.sanin.jp/p/language/english/(English)
- Matsue City
- http://www.city.matsue.shimane.jp/kankou/en/(English)
- http://www.city.matsue.shimane.jp/kankou/ch/(Simplified Chinese)
- http://www.city.matsue.shimane.jp/kankou/kr/(Korean)
- Matsue International Tourism Office
- Tel: +81-852-21-4034 (English)
- Official website of Shimane Prefecture
- http://www.kankou.pref.shimane.jp/e/(English)
- http://www.kankou.pref.shimane.jp/c/(Simplified Chinese)
- http://www.kankou.pref.shimane.jp/t/(Traditional Chinese)
- http://www.kankou.pref.shimane.jp/k/(Korean)


