Izumo Taisha Shrine出雲大社
An ancient shrine from Japan's oldest myths, known for matchmaking. It has a pine-lined approach and a hall hung with a huge straw rope.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- about 1.5 hr
- Free
- Wheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 90 min from Matsue ・ Ichibata Railway to Izumo Taisha-mae, or JR to Izumoshi Station and about 25 minutes by bus
What you can do here
Walk the downhill approach and the pine avenue
From the Seidamari torii the approach unusually runs downhill. On the pine avenue, walk along the sides, not the centre, to protect the tree roots.
Pray at the main sanctuary
Normally you pray to the main sanctuary, a National Treasure, from in front of Yatsuashi-mon gate, then go anticlockwise around the fence to the surrounding shrines.
Soga-no-yashiro
A shrine on higher ground behind the main sanctuary. By custom, worshippers offer sand from Inasa Beach and take home sand from beneath the shrine.
The great shimenawa of Kagura-den
A sacred straw rope 13.6 metres long hangs at Kagura-den, the hall where prayers and weddings are held.
Matsue and Izumo guide
Matsue Castle with its original keep, a castle town of moats and samurai houses, and sunsets over Lake Shinji. Izumo Taisha, the shrine of good matches, is a train ride away.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Matsue Castle
A National Treasure castle whose keep survives from the early 1600s. The top floor looks over the city and Lake Shinji.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy dayPartly step-free
Bus · About 20 min from Matsue ・ About 10 minutes by Lake Line or other buses ・ 34km from here
- 2
Izumo Taisha Shrine
An ancient shrine from Japan's oldest myths, known for matchmaking. It has a pine-lined approach and a hall hung with a huge straw rope.
Introduced by JNTO
Named as a sight in Shimane, one of the lesser-known prefectures suggested for 2027. Source: JNTO (US press release), Where to Go in 2027: Japan Edition
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 1.5 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 90 min from Matsue ・ Ichibata Railway to Izumo Taisha-mae, or JR to Izumoshi Station and about 25 minutes by bus ・ 100m from here
- 3
Shiomi Nawate and the Lafcadio Hearn Museum
A street of samurai houses along the moat, with the former home of writer Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) and a museum about him.
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 60 minPartly paid
Bus · About 25 min from Matsue ・ Lake Line bus to Koizumi Yakumo Kinenkan-mae ・ 34km from here
- 4
Horikawa moat boat tour
A small boat circles the castle moats. The roof is lowered under low bridges, so you duck. In winter the boats have heated tables.
- Activities
- History & buildings
- Views
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy day
Bus · About 25 min from Matsue ・ Lake Line bus to the Fureai Hiroba boarding point. There is another pier by the castle's main gate ・ 34km from here
- 5
Shimane Art Museum and the Lake Shinji sunset
A museum on the lakeshore. The shore just to the south is the well-known place to watch the sun set behind tiny Yomegashima island.
- Views
- Museums
about 60 minPartly paidWheelchair & stroller friendly
Walk · About 15 min from Matsue ・ 34km from here
- 6
Adachi Museum of Art
A museum known for paintings by Yokoyama Taikan and a large, immaculate Japanese garden, which you view through the windows.
Introduced by JNTO
Named as a sight in Shimane, one of the lesser-known prefectures suggested for 2027. Source: JNTO (US press release), Where to Go in 2027: Japan Edition
- Museums
- Nature
about 2 hrPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 60 min from Matsue ・ JR to Yasugi Station, then about 20 minutes by shuttle bus ・ 46km from here
Connections from here
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Izumo Taisha Shrine
Facilities & features
- Elevators available (the route may be longer)
Lines from here
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