Shimane Prefecture lies along the San'in coast of western Honshu, home to Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines, and Matsue Castle, one of only twelve original castles remaining in the country. Known in Japanese mythology as the land where the gods gather each October, Shimane blends ancient shrine culture, samurai heritage, celebrated gardens, and a quiet, uncrowded coastline far from Japan's typical tourist circuit.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Shimane.
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1
The Izumo no Kuni Fudoki, one of Japan's oldest surviving regional gazetteers, records the mythology and geography of ancient Izumo Province
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2
Bronze swords, bells, and spearheads are ritually buried at what is now the Kojindani and Kamoiwakura sites near Izumo — among the largest bronze-artifact caches in Japan
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3
Silver ore is discovered at Iwami Ginzan; the mine begins operations that will eventually produce roughly a third of the world's silver output at its 17th-century peak
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4
The Tokugawa shogunate places Iwami Ginzan under direct control, funding early Edo-period government through its silver revenue
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5
Matsue Castle is completed by Horio Yoshiharu, becoming the seat of the Matsue domain and one of only twelve Japanese castles with an original wooden keep surviving today
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6
The Matsudaira clan takes over the Matsue domain, ruling until the Meiji Restoration and shaping the city's samurai-era layout still visible along Shiomi Nawate
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7
Lafcadio Hearn arrives in Matsue as an English teacher; his year in the city inspires much of his writing on Japanese folklore and ghost stories
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8
The Iwami Ginzan mine officially closes after nearly four centuries of production
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9
UNESCO designates Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape as a World Heritage Site
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10
Matsue Castle's main keep is designated a National Treasure, regaining status it had sought since the Meiji era
Historical sites
Places where Shimane's past comes alive.
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
Admission: Adult: Free grounds; ¥400 ($2.70) World Heritage Center exhibition; ¥300 ($2.00) with passport discount | Child: ¥200 ($1.30)
Tsuwano Castle Ruins
Admission: Adult: Free (ruins); chairlift approx ¥450 ($3.00) round trip | Child: Reduced chairlift fare
Kamosu Shrine
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Kojindani Ruins
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Izumo Kokubunji Temple Ruins
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Yaegaki Shrine (Izumo Mythology Site)
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Shimane's story.
Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center
Hours: 9:00–17:30 March–November; 9:00–17:00 December–February (last entry 30 min before close)
Admission: Adult: ¥400 ($2.70); ¥300 ($2.00) with passport discount | Child: ¥200 ($1.30)
Matsue History Museum
Hours: 9:00–17:00 daily; closed Mondays
Admission: Adult: ¥510 ($3.40) | Child: ¥250 ($1.70)
Yakumotatsu Fudoki-no-Oka Museum
Hours: 9:00–17:00; closed Tuesdays and New Year holidays
Admission: Adult: ¥200 ($1.30) | Child: Free
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
Hours: 9:00–18:00 March–October; 9:00–17:00 November–February; closed 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
Admission: Adult: ¥620 ($4.10); ¥310 ($2.10) with discount | Child: ¥100–200 ($0.70–1.30) students