Shrine Spots in Shimane Area

  • Izumo Oyashiro(Izumo Taisha)
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    3.5
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Taishachoukidukihigashi 195
    This is a shrine in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, enshrining the great Okuninushi, known as a god of marriage. It is also known by its official name Izumo Oyashiro. There are several legends about the foundation of the shrine including one that says it was built as a condition for Okuninushi transferring over the land of Japan. The main shrine is designated as a national treasure, and features Japan’s oldest shrine architectural style. It is rebuilt about every 60 years. The kagura hall is famous for the largest shimenawa (sacred rope) in Japan. The magnificent row of pine trees called “Pine Baba” is designated as one of Japan’s top 100 pine spots.

    出雲大社にお越しされた天皇の勅使をお迎えする施設で、昭和8年に竣工した歴史ある建物です。正面に張り出した唐破風が堂々として風格があります。

  • Yaegaki Jinja Shrine
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    4.5
    448 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Sakusachou 227
    This shrine in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture is famous for marriage and enshrines the gods Susano-no-mikoto and Inatahime-no-mikoto. The three-paneled Itae Chakushoku Shinzo pictures (wall painting in the honden) in the treasure storage room has been designated as an important cultural property. On the grounds are many popular spots for women, including the Meoto-sugi (coupled cryptomeria trees), Meoto-tsubaki (coupled camellia) and Kagami-no-ike (mirror pond), where the appearance of a suitable marriage partner is predicted by the speed of which a piece of Japanese paper sinks after a coin is placed on top.

    Famous for relationships (marriage) and its Japanese legends background. A beautiful holy place. There’re penis statue.

  • Miho-jinja Shrine
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    4.5
    223 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Mihonosekichoumihonoseki 608
    An ancient Shinto shrine located in mentioned in the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki,” a book documenting local customs and culture. The shrine is the head shrine of all shrines dedicated to Kotoshironushi (Ebisu). The main shrine building, a designated National Treasure, is built in the Miho-zukuri (hiyoku taisha-zukuri) style and consists of two halls joined together. The one on the left facing the building is dedicated to Kotoshironushi, while the one on the right is dedicated to his mother, Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto. The shrine is believed to grant worshippers a variety of benefits, including not only prosperity in business but also large harvests, maritime safety, and luck in public performance. The shrine’s Aofushigaki Shinji ritual, held on April 7, and Morotebune Shinji ritual, held on December 3, are connected with the “kuni-yuzuri,” a legend relating the transfer of the rulership of Japan to the gods of Heaven, and during these times great numbers of people from around the country come to witness the events.

    Authentic Japanese style shrine with interesting Japanese wooden architecture work. Ambience similar sacred. Very good Japnese snacks around the shrine. And very nice peer view too.

  • Tamatsukuriyu-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    227 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Tamayuchoutamatsukuri 508
    An ancient Shinto shrine located on the outskirts of the Tamatsukuri Onsen hot spring district in Matsue, Shimane mentioned in the texts of the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki” and “Engi-shiki.” The shrine is dedicated to three gods—Kushiakarutama-no-mikoto, who makes Tamatsukuribe; Onamochi-no-mikoto, who makes nations; and Sukunabikona-no-mikoto, god of hot spring medicine and protecting hot springs. The shrine’s treasure house stores jewels unearthed at the ruins of Tamatsukuri designated Important Cultural Properties. There is also a wishing stone on the grounds that grants wishes to those who touch it and pray, and in recent years the shrine has become a popular mystical “power spot.”

    Its not a huge shrine but its right in Tamatsukuri Onsen so it was nice to go down and have a look at it. Very peaceful there.

  • Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine
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    4.5
    193 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Ushiroda 409
    This is one of Japan’s five great Inari shrines to the harvest god, known as “Tsuwano Oinarisan.” It is also written as “Inari” incorporating the meanings of having one’s desires fulfilled and great ambitions achieved. In 1773 the lord of the Tsuwano domain Norisada Kamei invited the deity’s spirit from Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and built the shrine. The front shrine and main shrine rebuilt in 1969 can be seen after passing through the vermillion-lacquered torii gate corridor offered by believers. Fried tofu and candles for making an offering can be bought at the shop.

    I visited the Taikodani Inari Shrine after going to the castle ruins. There is a nice trail from the ruins directly to the shrine. There is a large parking lot in front of the shrine. The complex is...

  • Susa Jinja shrine
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    4.5
    166 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Sadachoususa 730
    An ancient Shinto shrine located in Izumo City, Tottori Prefecture which is even mentioned in the ancient “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki,” a book describing the culture and customs of the region. The shrine is primarily dedicated to the god Susanoo-no-mikoto, who, according to Japanese legend, slew the fearsome eight-headed dragon Yamata-no-orochi. It is said that this area was the last place Susanoo-no-mikoto pioneered, after which he gave it his own name and passed away. In addition to a towering Japanese cedar tree over 1,300 years old, the shrine’s grounds are dotted with spots deemed the “Seven Wonders of Susa.” The shrine is famous for the three rituals conducted during the annual festival held on April 19 as well as the Kiriaki Shinji, a ritual called the Nenbutsu Odori (“Buddhist Prayer Dance”) conducted on August 15. In recent years, the shrine has also become popular as a mystical “power spot.”

    This place is acclaimed as one of the most spiritual places in Japan. The vibe in the air was very sacred. The 1,300 year old cedar tree was magnificent and felt like it was cleansing the air. There...

  • Mononobe-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    28 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Kawaichou Kawai 1545
    This shrine, a prefecture designated cultural asset, is the largest built nationally using the Kasukabe-zukuri method. The enshrined deity is Umashimaji-no-Mikoto the first god of priesthood, fortune telling, charms and prayers. In the precincts is the main hall constructed with the Kasukabe method, tombstones, Kachi-ishi stones, Kusabi-ishi wedge shaped stones, Higashi Gosha (seven generations of gods), Sugami-jinja Shrine, and Otomi-jinja Shrine etc. There is plenty to see and do.

    日曜日の午後に車で向かう。 駐車場はそれなりに広い。 ポツポツと参拝者もいる。 ご由緒は「鶴に乗って〜」と良くわからないが、一の宮だけあって境内はキレイに整備されている。 本殿の千木を見ると、なんと縦削ぎ。 物部を冠する神社なのに。 神社の元になったであろう古墳も境内裏にあった。 他にパーソロン号の銅像、夜泣き椨や聖天さんなどの御神木、柿本神社があり見所も多い。 また大きな神社だが、ちゃんと自分の...

  • Sada-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    32 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Kashimachousadamiyauchi 73
    This is a shrine located in Sadamiyauchi, Kashimacho, Matsue City. It is a historical shrine that gathered faith as one of the Izumo Grand Shrines, and in the Izumonokuni Fudoki (a book of regional culture) is described as Sada Grand Shrine and Sada Mikonoyashiro. The Sada Shin Noh dance performed on 24th and 25th September at the Gozagaesai (a ritual of changing the straw mats) is also registered in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

    古くは出雲国三大社の内の一つとして「佐陀大社」とも呼ばれた由緒ある古社。 大社造りの本殿が3つ並ぶ、三殿並立という全国的にも珍しい形式の社殿です。 主祭神は佐太大神(さだのおおかみ)で、『出雲国風土記』には出雲国内四大神の一つと書かれています。別名猿田彦大神とも呼ばれ、開運・招福の神として親しまれています。 境外摂社の田中神社は、「縁結び」と「縁切り」の社が背中合わせになった、全国的にも大変珍しい...

  • Suga Shrine
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    4.5
    40 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Unnanshi Daitouchousuga 260
    This is a shinto shrine is located in Suga, Daito Town, Unnan City. It is called Nihonhatsunomiya as it originates from Sugamiya which was made after Susanoo-no-mikoto defeated Yamata-no-Orochi. It is also said to be “the birthplace of waka (a type of Japanese poem)” as Susanoo-no-mikoto read the oldest Waka in Japan. The Waka goes “I am trying to build a place in Izumo to take a new wife, and the multifold fences look like overlapping clouds”. On the path leading to the shrine, there are 60 stone poem monuments built.

    It was a nice experience. We washed with the shrine water and saw how people perform their prayers in a calm and a peaceful environment

  • Yurahime Shrine
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    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Okigunnishinoshimachou Uragou
    The Yurahime Shrine, which is located in Urago, Nishinoshima Town, Oki County, is renowned as the most prestigious Shinto shrine in Oki and is also called Okinokuni Ichinomiya. The Shrine features in the “Ika-Yose” legend, according to which the goddess Yurahime-no-mikoto was bitten on the finger by a squid while trailing her hand in the water as she was crossing the sea in a boat; as a penance for this evil deed, every year large numbers of squid would throw themselves onto the beach in front of the Yurahime Shrine. This phenomenon is not seen so often now, but apparently in the past large numbers of squid did indeed land on the beach, and traces of this can still be seen today, for example in the watchman’s huts that were erected on the beach to keep watch for a potential good catch of squid.

    Nice little shrine that matches mythology (squid princess) with reality (port location where squid congregate). There is a sumo ring outside

  • Mizuwakasu-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    23 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Okigunokinoshimachou Kori 723
    "This shrine is located near Oki Folk Museum in the island town of Oki. First built in the Age of the Gods, the grounds of burial mounds from the later Kofun period(250--538 as a rough guide) still remain on the premises. Described in the Engishiki Jinmyocho (register of shrines in Japan) as a Myojin Taisha or the principal shrine of Oki province, the principal shrine god is Mizuwakasu-no-Mikoto, who guarded the Sea of Japan and the development of Oki province. The Mizuwakasu Shrine Sairei Furyu Festival, one of the three great festivals of the Oki Islands, is held on May 3 every even-numbered year. In addition, it was the stage of the film version of ""Konshin"" written by Kawakami Kenichi and that covered sengu sumo, classic sumo performed once every 20 years."

    隠岐の国の一の宮と聞いたので、ローソク島に向かう途中で寄り道しました。 境内は非常に静かな雰囲気で趣があります。 隠岐の神社の特徴の一つである土俵もありました。

  • Oki Jinja
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    4.0
    27 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Oki-gun Amacho Ama
    A Shinto shrine that honors Emperor Gotoba, built in 1939 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of his death. After the Jokyu Rebellion he was exiled to Oki Island. The copper-plated main hall is a local traditional style called Oki-zukuri. The over 50,000-square meter grounds consist of a ritual prayer hall, a worship hall, and a building for preparing ritual food. It is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot because of the rows of cherry trees, said to be the most beautiful in Oki. The shrine's main festivals are on April 14th and October 14th. They celebrate the emperor, and are accompanied by song and dance that's been declared an Intangible Cultural Property of the town.

    Regular shrine, nothing really special at daytime but go there at night in the firefly season and prepare to be amazed!

  • Haiden
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    4.0
    22 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Izumo-shi Taishacho Kizukihigashi 195

    銅の鳥居をくぐると目の前にです。 その前に、鳥居の左手には「神馬神牛像」がありますので そこを撫でさせて頂いてから拝殿へのお詣りに進んでも良いかと思います。 「神馬神牛像」の対面、または拝殿左後方には御守所がありますが、 混雑している場合はその先にも一か所あります。 初参詣の感激を込めてお祈りさせて頂きました。

  • Izumo Taisha Shrine Kaguraden
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    4.0
    21 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Izumo-shi Taishacho Kizukihigashi 195 Izumotaisha

    参詣順路最後に訪問。 ご本殿のある敷地から小さな通りを渡って隣の敷地に移動しますが 車が通りますので横断の際はご注意ください。 噂には聞いておりましたが、大綱の迫力に圧倒されます。 真下に立つと体感できます。 ご本殿とは別なご朱印を頂くことが出来ました。

  • Mi Main Hall
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    4.5
    17 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Izumo-shi Taishacho Kizukihigashi 195 Izumotaisha

    拝殿参拝の次は右側を通り、奥にあるご本殿を門前にて参拝致します。 階段登る前の足元には大きな円が描かれた色違いの石が埋め込まれていますが 単なるデザインではなく、お隣にある歴史博物館観覧の後 再度訪問するとより深い感銘を受けることと思います。 またご本殿左手が本当の正面とのことで、 ご本殿から右に沿って順次拝観していくと最後に塀沿いに お賽銭箱が置かれた箇所があるのでわかると思います。

  • Hinomisaki Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Taishachouhinomisaki 455
    An ancient Shinto shrine standing on Cape Hinomi in Taisha Town, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture whose name is recorded as the “Misa Gisha” in the ancient text of the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki.” “Hinomisaki Shrine” is in fact the collective term for two shrines—the Hishizumi no Miya, dedicated to the goddess Amaterasu-omikami; and the Kami no Miya, dedicated to the god Susanoo-no-mikoto. The shrine (more specifically, the Hishizumi no Miya), famously protects Japan’s night, as opposed to Ise Jingu shrine, which protects Japan’s day. Must-see highlights include the red, two story granite torii gate and the honden main shrine building, built in the gongen-zukuri style and decorated with spectacular ornamentation outside and splendid images on its inner walls and ceilings.
  • 109 Yashiro
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    4.0
    15 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Izumo-shi Taishacho Kizukihigashi 195

    「じゅうくしゃ」と今まで聞いたことがない珍しいお名前と思いきや、 八百万の神々のご宿泊所とお聞きし、出雲大社ならではのお社と納得しました。 訪問時は当然閉まっており、知らないとただの板塀のように見えて素通りしてしまいます。

  • Soga Yashiro
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    4.0
    13 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Izumo-shi Taishacho Kizukihigashi 195

    大社訪問前に寄った稲佐の浜のお砂をこちらに納め、 お社のお砂を有難く頂戴させて頂きました。 お社の左右両脇に2か所ずつありますので訪問時は混雑はありませんでした。 またお砂と同時に裏側にありますご霊山へも参拝させて頂きました。 すれ違うのがやっとの狭い通路で参詣者も続くので 邪魔にならないようにささっとお祈り致しました。

  • Nagahama Shrine
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    4.0
    13 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Nishizonochou 4258
    This shrine is the origin of the Kunibiki-shinwa myth and to attain victory. Also, it is famous as the shrine where Kato Kiyomasa and Katagiri Katsumoto worshipped for and was granted success when Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered the invasion of Korea. The pine tree where they worshipped remains in the precinct of the temple. The large Izumo-style knotted straw made from 1,500 rice straws is also worth seeing.

    国引き神社だという事で大阪から来て最初に参拝しました。 土曜日の7時に長浜神社の駐車場に着いたときは入り口付近の整備がちゃんとされてなかったので廃れ感が否めませんでした。随神門までの参道も綺麗さは全く感じられず心配でしたが、境内に入ると授与所で御朱印・お守りが買えるちゃんとした神社なんだと思いました。御朱印の種類も豊富です。 参拝までの心配な気持ちは無くなり帰りは清々しく駐車場まで戻れました。

  • Takatsu Kakinomoto Shrine
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    4.5
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Masudashi Takatsuchou I 2612-1
    "A Shinto shrine a 10-minute drive from Masuda Station on the JR San-in Main Line. Dedicated to Kakinomoto-no-Hitomaro, a poet whose works appear in the ancient ""Manyoshu"" poetry anthology, this shrine is seen as the head shrine of all Kakinomoto shrines nationwide. Believed to grant worshippers safe childbirth and aid in scholarly endeavors, it is said many people also come here to pray for fulfillment in love due to the many love poems Kakinomoto-no-Hitomaro wrote. Beyond the shrine's stone steps, visitors are greeted by the neat and tidy main shrine building, which is built in a modified version of the traditional Kasuga-zukuri style. The main shrine building is built facing Tsuwano to make it easier to pray to the shrine when coming from that town. During the annual Hassaku Festival held on September 1st, the grounds bustle with people come to watch the horseback archery event."

    実は人麻呂さんは 奈良の人と勝手に思っていたので びっくりしました。立派な社殿が有り 奥まったところに檜皮葺の屋根が見えたのですが 近くに行く事が出来ない様になっていました。残念でした。

Shimane Areas

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What Shimane prefecture lacks in size and population, it makes up for in scenery and ancient mythology. Izumo-taisha, in the middle of the prefecture, is said to be Japan’s oldest Shinto shrine, where stories that delve into the creation of the Japanese race have been passed down over centuries. The 180 Oki Islands, a 40-minute ferry ride north of Sakaiminato, offer an undiscovered paradise well off the beaten track.

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