Shimane

Shimane Prefecture stretches along the Sea of Japan coast in the Chugoku region of western Honshu, bordered by Tottori to the east, Hiroshima to the south and Yamaguchi to the southwest. As Japan’s second-least populous prefecture, Shimane remains remarkably unspoiled — a destination where rural traditions and ancient mythology still shape daily life.

Shimane is known as “the land of the gods” because, according to Shinto tradition, all eight million deities gather at Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine during the tenth month of the lunar calendar. This ancient shrine — one of the oldest and most sacred in Japan — draws visitors from across the country who come to pray for good relationships and marriage.

The prefectural capital of Matsue is home to one of the few remaining original castles left in the country, completed in 1611 and perched on the shores of Lake Shinji. The lake is famous for its breathtaking sunsets and its shijimi clams, a local delicacy often served in miso soup. Nearby, the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi features a Japanese garden consistently ranked among the most beautiful in the country.

In central Shimane, the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — reached its peak in the early 17th century when Japan produced roughly a third of the world’s silver, with the majority coming from this very mine.