A winery and visitor facility in Taisha-cho, near Izumo Taisha, built around wine made from grapes grown in the surrounding San'in region rather than imported juice. The on-site restaurant serves a fairly simple Japanese-Western lunch menu designed to pair with the wines produced next door - the point of the food is to sit alongside the tasting, not to be a destination kaiseki meal. The space is set up for tour groups and day-trippers combining a shrine visit with a winery stop, with tasting counters as much a part of the layout as table seating.
Shimane Winery is a restaurant and free tasting counter at Shimane Prefecture's largest winery, located near Izumo Taisha in Izumo City. The restaurant pairs regional wines made from Muscat Bailey A and Delaware grapes grown locally with a menu that blends Japanese and Western dishes, including a wine-paired lunch set, grape-based desserts, and a local cheese and wine tasting plate designed to showcase the winery's own production. Unlike most restaurants on this list, the wine program is the centerpiece here rather than an accompaniment, with a free tasting counter allowing visitors to sample several of the winery's bottlings before or after their meal. The dining room is bright and casual, aimed at day-trippers combining a winery tour with a stop at nearby Izumo Taisha, rather than an intimate dinner setting. Reservations are not required, and the restaurant welcomes walk-in visitors throughout the day. Prices are moderate, from about ¥1,200 to ¥3,000, and the winery restaurant is open daily from 9am to 5pm, aligning with typical daytime touring hours rather than evening dining.
| Price | ¥1,200–3,000 ($8–20) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00–17:00 daily |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Address | 486 Taishacho Kitsuki, Izumo, Shimane 699-0721 |
Signature dishes
- Wine-paired lunch set
- Grape-based desserts
- Local cheese and wine tasting plate
Good to know
- Known for
- Restaurant and free tasting counter at Shimane's largest winery, pairing regional Muscat Bailey A and Delaware wines with local dishes
Location
486 Taishacho Kitsuki, Izumo, Shimane 699-0721
35.4093, 132.6797 View on map
Highlights
- Shimane's largest winery, with a free tasting counter for visitors
- Regional Muscat Bailey A and Delaware wines paired with the menu
- Wine-paired lunch set and local cheese and wine tasting plate
- Located near Izumo Taisha, easy to combine with a shrine visit
Tips for visiting
- Take advantage of the free tasting counter to sample wines before ordering
- No reservation needed; the restaurant is open to walk-ins all day
- Best visited as a daytime stop, since hours run 9am to 5pm only
- Combine with an Izumo Taisha visit given the short distance between them
Accessibility
As a winery complex built for tourism, the restaurant and tasting counter are on level ground-floor space generally accessible to visitors with mobility needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is wine tasting free at Shimane Winery?
Yes, the winery offers a free tasting counter for visitors to sample its wines.
What grapes does the winery use?
It produces regional wines from Muscat Bailey A and Delaware grapes grown locally in Shimane.
Is it near Izumo Taisha?
Yes, it is located near Izumo Taisha, making it easy to combine with a shrine visit.
What are the hours?
The winery restaurant is open daily from 9am to 5pm.