Moopon

At its peak, Iwami Ginzan was one of the top producing silver mines in the world. Its yearly output of 38 tons of silver made up approximately a third of the world's production.



Silver from the mine, known as "Soma Silver," was of very high quality, and control of the mine was fiercely contested by local clans until it was acquired by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the early 1600s. Since then it was directly controlled by the Tokugawa government, and several castles, guard stations, and fences were erected to maintain control of the region.



Today the majority of the buildings in the mining area are in ruins but a few attractions remain. The main one is the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft, a 273 meter long tunnel and the only shaft of over 600 that is open to the public. Also in the area are the Shimizudani Refinery Ruins and various temples and shrines.



Near the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft are two trails that lead to castle ruins and nearby port towns. The trail leading to Yunotsu and Okidomari is approximately 12 kilometers long, and the trail to Tomogaura is approximately 7 kilometers.

The mining area isn’t accessible by bus, but can only be reached on foot. The two kilometer walk from the closest bus stop, Omori bus stop, to the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft takes about 30-45 minutes one way along an easy and pleasant walking trail.

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from late November to late March)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 410 yen

Part of the Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Site, to the west of the mining area lies the pleasantly old-fashioned onsen town of Yunotsu (温泉津). Already known as an area of relaxation during the Edo Period, today the town offers a couple of public baths, several ryokan and an attractive setting for an evening or morning walk through a townscape reminiscent of past decades.

Yakushiyu Public Bath
Hours: 5:00 to 21:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 350 yen

This bath features one small indoor pool for each gender, featuring the local, mineral-rich onsen water. The bath heal the fatigue of your journey.

Efficacy of Yakushi hot water
Lifestyle-related diseases, including diabetes, neuralgia, rheumatism and arthritis, muscle pain, frozen shoulder, paralysis,
Stiffness in the joints, and bruises, and sprains, chronic gastrointestinal, hemorrhoids, poor circulation, recovery of illness, fatigue,
Health promotion, cuts, burns, chronic skin disease, physically weak children, women's diseases, etc.

Visitors also have access to the building's resting room on the second floor and observation deck on the third floor. The historic building next door formerly served as the bath house and now houses as an atmospheric cafe.
 

One of Japan’s oldest shrines, Izumo Grand Shrine, Izumo Taisha (出雲大社) lies in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.

No one knows the exact date of when the shrine was constructed.

However, the existence of the shrine was apparent in the early 700s according to Japan’s oldest chronicles.

Izumo Taisha’s main deity (kami) is the Okunininushi no Okami. According to legend, Okuninushi was creator of the land in which Japan lies as well as the ruler of Izumo.

He also has another role, which is the deity of good relations and marriage.

At Japanese shrines, before a prayer, we clap twice.  However, at Izumo Taisha, we clap four times—twice for ourselves and twice for our partner, present or future.

The Kamiari Festival is held at Izumo Taisha every year, from the 10th to the 17th day of the 10th lunar month.

 During this period, it is said Shinto’s eight million deities from across Japan gather at Izumo Taisha.

 The 10th lunar month is known as Kamiarizuki (“month with deities”) in Izumo and Kannazuki (“month without deities”) elsewhere in Japan.

Izumo Taisha’s grounds are quite large and spacious.  There are many torii gates and halls, that visitors can explore the grounds to see and experience the magnificence of this shrine.
 

Some places of special importance:

 Matsu no Sando: walking north of the large wooden torii gate (entrance into the shrine), the road divides into 3 paths by the pine trees.  Please do not use the center path, as it is said this path is reserved for the deities.  

 Shimenawa in Worship Hall (Haiden): as visitors enter the main shrine grounds, they will see a wooden structure with a huge sacred straw rope (shimenawa) hung across the structure. The shimenawa signifies the presence of a deity and separates divine space from the mortal world. Large shimenawa are a characteristic of this region, found also at other shrines in Izumo.

 Main Hall (Honden):  behind the worship hall, Honden is 24 meters tall.  It is the tallest shrine building in Japan.  The current structure, built in 1744, is constructed architecture style is called Taisha-zukuri.  Taisha-zukuri is a purely Japanese style which predates the entry of Buddhism into Japan.

 Jukusha:  in the outer fence area there are two long wooden structures on both sides of the main sanctuary. Jukusha is where the deities meet when they gather for their yearly meeting.
  

Access Information:
Izumo Taisha is located in the outskirts of Izumo City, about one hour west of Matsue. Izumo's main railway station is called Izumoshi Station.
 

From Izumoshi Station
From the railway station, Izumo Taisha can be reached by either train or bus.
*By Train:
**Via Ichibata Railways. Transfer trains at Kawato Station.  Disembark at Izumo Taisha-mae Station.  The journey will take about 20 minutes and the one way fare is 490 yen.
From Izumo Taisha-mae station, it takes about 5 minutes on foot to the shrine.
*By Bus:
**Board the bus from bus stop number one.  There is a bus departing the station every 30 minutes or so.  The bus ride should take about 25 minutes and the cost is 520 yen one way.
 

From Matsue City
From Matsue, Izumo Taisha is most easily reached by Ichibata Railways:
*By Train:
**Board the train from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station.  Transfer trains at Kawato Station. Disembark at Izumo Taisha-mae Station.  The journey will take about 60 minutes and the one way fare is 810 yen. (Visitors have the option of purchasing a one day pass for unlimited usage of Ichibata trains for 1500 yen)
From Izumo Taisha-mae station, it takes about 5 minutes on foot to the shrine.
**For Japan Rail Pass holder, taking a JR train from Matsue to Izumoshi Station (25-40 minutes) may be better.  For access information from Izumoshi Station, refer to the above “From Izumoshi Station” section.


 

Tsuwano (津和野) , a small, peaceful town located on the western edge of Shimane Prefecture is a beautiful place to wander around.

Being untouched by tall buildings, neon lights, visitors can take a deep breath to let this traditional town sink in. Some attractions this town holds are:
**Old Samurai Mansions in the Town Center—the dark red roofs tiles, white walls and wooden windows paint a picture from the past
**Taikondani Inari Shrine—one of the five greatest Inari Shrines
**Carp—the waterways along the main street are the swimming routes for these active beautiful creatures. There are stores which sell carp food.