Spots in Around Iwami Ginzan Area

  • Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center
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    4.0
    118 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou A) 1597-3
    This is a museum located in Omori Town, Ota City, Shimane Prefecture, introducing the history and mining technology of Iwami Silver Mine, a World Heritage site. The exhibition content is arranged in a way that is easy for both adults and children to understand, focused mainly on models, images and replicas. The permanent exhibit also features a diorama of the entire silver mine and actual silver ore that can be held. A limited guided walking tour of the mine’s largest tunnel “Okubomabu” is also popular.

    Expect for unexpected Omori -cho a town of 400 people wa given a world heritage status by Unesco for its still remaining abundant nature together with its history the most active silver mines in the...

  • Nima Sand Museum
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    3.5
    56 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Nimachouamagouchi 975
    "This is a museum that displays the largest hourglass in the world. There is also a replica of a sand calendar, art works of sand objects as well as a science corner where there is a singing sand map of the world and sand samples from around the world. Many events are held and visitors can also experience glass craft. Many people visit on the 31st of December for the ""Time Festival"". "

    世界最大らしい砂時計、砂暦「「一年計砂時計」がありますよ。それだけかなぁー。 「鳴り砂」で知られる「琴ヶ浜」の近くということで、作られたらしい「仁摩サンドミュージアム」。「砂」に関する展示の数々、体験コーナーなどもあります。家族連れには良いかもです。 一つだけ言いたいことは、「仁摩サンドミュージアム」全体の建物の作りですね。「駐車場」から「施設」へ離れすぎているかな。なんとかしてもらいたいな。

  • Gohyakurakan Rakan-ji Temple
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    3.5
    68 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou A) 804
    A Koyasan Shingon Buddhist temple located in Omori Town, Ohda City, Shimane Prefecture which enshrines a total of 500 statues of arhats split evenly between two caves. The figures were created over a 20-some year period starting in the Genbun period (1736-1740) and are said to memorialize ancestors and people who died in the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. The temple is registered as part of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also designated a National Historic Site.

    A World Heritage Site which is clearly indicated by a (too) huge sign in front of it. You have to pay (500 Yen) to enter which has to be done across the street at the entrance of the Rakanji...

  • 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...

  • Sanbe Azukihara Maibotsurin Park
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    4.5
    35 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Sambechou Tane B 58-2
    "This is a submerged forest exhibition of an area that was once covered by a volcanic eruption about 4000 years ago. The underground exhibit room is an excavated room of a circle shape of 30 meters in diameter and depth of 13.5 meters. Visitors can see the excavation of the Buried Forest in the ""Jomon Forest Excavation Preservation Exhibition Building"" and the ""Building Exhibiting the Pit for Excavation of Buried Forest Specimens"". In July every year visitors can also enjoy the ancient lotus flowers known as ""Oga hasu"" that are an Ota City Designated Natural Monument."

    ロマン溢れる「三瓶小豆原 埋没林公園」です。かなりお勧めです。4000年前、縄文時代の森がよみがえる!? この小豆原の森は、縄文時代、「三瓶火山」によって、「密閉状態」で地中に埋もれたままだったらしいです。そして時は流れ、1983年それを発見し、現在、「三瓶小豆原...

  • Restoration of KUMAGAI Residence, Important Cultural Properties
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    4.0
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou Ha 63
    This is the private residence of the Kumagaya family who were prominent traders working as government officials attached to the silver mine. The architecture of this large scale residence which consisted of a main house, five outhouses and storehouses on a plot of about 1,500 meters squared exemplifies the social status of this trader at the end of the Edo period. As a result of there being many household implements from the Edo through the Showa period on display, it is a place where you can experience the beauty and profundity of a Japanese residence. You can also get to experience cooking rice on a stove after chopping firewood.

    大きな商家で部屋が沢山あります。当時は客人がたくさん来たのでしょう、大きな台所、たくさんの食器など、生活に根ざした展示物がたくさんあり、何時間でもいられそうでした。

  • Yunotsu Onsen Motoyu – Senyakuto Bathhouse
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    4.5
    10 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Yunotsuchouyunotsu B 208 - 1
    Senyakuto is an old style public bathhouse in the Yunotsu hot spring resort of Ohda City, Shimane Prefecture. Boasting a history of more than 1,300 years, day visitors can enjoy the hot spring water which has been used as a hot spring since long ago. There are three bathtubs in the bathhouse filled with yellowish brown hot water, each with a different temperature. Across the road is Chomeikan, an inn run by Senyakuto. It is a splendid Japanese-styled three storied building built for the benefit of visitors wishing to stay for a long period of time to take advantage of the therapeutic effects of the hot spring waters.

    以前来た時の元湯は湯船が3つと壁に囲われた家族風呂がありましたが、リニューアル後は内装の壁が真新しくなり、家族風呂の壁が取り払われて比較的ぬる湯の湯船になり、正面は一番左端の湯船がなくなって2つの湯船になっていました。令和2年の正月からリニューアルして再開したとのことです。私としては前の古めかしい雰囲気が良かったのですが時代の流れでしょうか。 先ずはぬる湯で体を馴染ませます。ぬる湯は40度くらいで...

  • Iwami Silvermine Museum (Ruins of the Oomori prefectural governor’s office)
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    3.5
    33 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou Ha 51-1
    Iwami Silver Mine was controlled by the “Bakufu” (Shogunate) prefectural governor in the Edo period. The museum sits on the ruins of the Oomori local governor’s office. The building which was built in 1902 was used just as it was as the Nima district office, and opened as a museum in 1976. You can learn the history of the Iwami Silver Mine with pictorial scrolls, archives and mining tools on display.

    入り口にはいも代官の屋敷と表示されていました。もとの代官屋敷のようです。飢饉に備え芋の栽培を奨励したということで、いも代官と言われたようです。

  • The Shimane Nature Museum of Mt Sanbe - Sahimel
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    4.0
    17 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Sambechou Tane 1121-8
    At this well-equipped facility visitors can view planned exhibitions and a planetarium. The astronomical observatory has a 60 cm reflex telescope and Coude type 20 centimeters refraction telescope, and astronomical observation sessions are held every Saturday night. Reservations are unnecessary and reception starts 30 minutes prior.

    手作り感のある「三瓶自然館サヒメル」でした。こちらにも「三瓶小豆原埋没林」が展示されてあります。 家族連れには良い感じの、分かりやすい説明の「三瓶自然館サヒメル」だと思います。私は「三瓶小豆原埋没林」目的で訪れましたが、「三瓶小豆原埋没林」だけでなく、「自然系の博物館」として面白く観覧することが出来ました。お勧めです。

  • The Former Kawashima Family (local officials) Residence
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    3.5
    12 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou Ha 118-1
    After being recruited in the early Edo period by the Okubo family, the governors of Iwami region who also supervised production at the local silver mine, the Kawashima family served as mine supervisors for several generations. The Kawashima family residence is believed to have been built in the early 1800s. The main building, which appears at first glance to be a single-storey building, actually has a second storey above the earthen-floored part of the ground floor and the storeroom; the Zashiki room where guests were entertained faces onto the garden. As it embodies so many of the features characteristic of the residences of silver mine supervisors, the Residence has been designated a Historic Site by Ohda City government.

    河島家は銀山開拓と運営のために集められた人材だそうで、武士待遇だったようです。商家であった熊谷家とは違い、質素剛健を地で行くようなお宅でした。

  • Sanbe San Kitanohara Camping Ground
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    4.0
    2 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shimane Oda-shi Sanbecho Tane 1121-1

    「島根県立三瓶自然館サヒメル」のすぐ近くにある「三瓶山北の原キャンプ場」です。 「島根県立三瓶自然館サヒメル」目的に行ったので、利用はしませんでしたが、雰囲気の良さそうな、緑に囲まれたキャンプ場に見えました。近くには「三瓶バーガー」屋さんもあります。

  • Yunotsu Yakimono no Sato
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    4.0
    8 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Yunotsuchouyunotsu I A 22-2
    You’ll find this tourism facility in Yunotsu Town, Ohda City, Shimane Prefecture. This town once flourished as a shipping port for silver ore mined from the World Heritage Site Iwami Ginzan silver mine, and there are two ascending kilns remaining from that era, the largest in the country. In the “Yakimono-kan (Pottery building),” there are exhibits on excellent works of Yunotsu-yaki ware as well as materials on the history of the ceramic art. The workshop allows visitors to create handmade original mugs, plates, bowls, and other items and hand-decorate them.

    Small museum / shop 5 minutes drive from Yunotsu. Offers the chance to paint / glaze pottery from Y2000. Kilns interesting, but if not doing activity, spend 20mins max here.

  • Mt. Sanbe
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Sambechou
    This is an active volcano belonging to the Daisen volcanic zone in the central part of Shimane prefecture, the highest of the six peaks being Mt. Osanbe surrounding a volcanic crater diameter of about 1.2 kilometers named “Murono uchi” The Sanbesan-Shizenrin forest stretching from the north face of Mt. Osanbe to Murono uchi is one of Japan’s protected natural treasures, and one can enjoy a peaceful walk or autumn leaf viewing while climbing the mountain. There are mountain trails maintained on each face, as well as hiking courses after an easy lift ride.
  • Iwami Ginzan Park
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shimane Oda-shi Omoricho
    This park is at the entrance of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine World Heritage. It has conveniences such as a gift shop, rest room, and parking lot. It features a model of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine.
  • Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine World Heritage Site
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou
    A silver mine once one of the largest in Japan and the world, today the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a tourism destination located in Ohda City, Shimane Prefecture. The mine’s prime extended from the late Warring States period to the early Edo period, and the facility played an important role in the trade of East Asia. A portion of the mine’s tunnels are open to the general public for viewing. Nearby, the Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center and the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Museum present historical materials relating to the mine.
  • Information Center Kawamoto
    Transportation
    Shimane Ochi-gun Kawamotomachi Inbara 505-5
    "This roadside station is about a 30-minute walk from World Heritage Site Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. Adjacent to Imbara Station on the old Sanko Line, this facility offers a selection of local fresh produce. This particular spot's original product is egoma (perilla), which is rich in α-Linolenic acid. They sell the leaves, seeds, and oil, all of which contain α-Linolenic acid used for the production of EPA/DHA, omega-3 fatty acids, giving this plant the nickname ""blue-backed fish of the field."" This quality has helped it gain attention as a health food, and the restaurant on-site offers meals made with egoma, as well as Iwami-wagyu Yakiniku Don grilled beef rice bowls, Iwami pork ginger saute, and other meal sets."
  • Okubomabu General Public Tour
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    4.0
    1 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shimane Oda-shi
    This is one of the shafts, or mabu, that make up 2007 designated World Heritage Site Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape. Starting from Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center, you can tour the Kinseiko shaft, which was dug to drain excess water and bring out ore, and the Okubo Mabu shaft, the largest of the remaining shafts. The Okubo shaft was named after the first director of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, Okubo Nagayasu, and is beyond any of the others in scope. It reaches a maximum height of five meters, and there are legends of how Nagayasu rode down it on horseback holding a spear. The massive Fukuishiba quarry spreading in the back is also an impressive site.

    インターネットで情報を見つけて事前にオンライン申込みしました。当日でも受付けているようですが人数に限りがあるそうで事前申込みがお勧めです。申込書に出発の20分前までに来るようにとの指示があったのですが20分前に行ったところもう館内での説明は始まっていました。坑道への移動開始がツアー開始時間みたいです。20分前にはトイレとかもすませて準備万端にしておいたほうがいいです。 地元のガイドさんに連れられバ...

  • Kotogahama Beach
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Nimachoumaji
    "This beach, called ""Kotogahama"", is famous for the legend of ""Koto Hime"" which tells the story that this coast was where the princess of the Heike family arrived after losing the battle of Dannoura, the final battle of the Genpei War. The two-kilometer-long coast line with beautiful tiny shells is famous as the sand sounds like a Japanese harp when walking on it. The beach was chosen as one of ""100 Soundscapes of Japan"" and ""Japan's 100 most beautiful beaches"" in 1996. "
  • Kigami Jinja Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou Lee 1477
    This shrine located in Ota City’s Omori town in Shimane Prefecture enshrines Okuninushi, the guardian deity of the town. The shrine which was in Umaji’s Kigamiyama was moved by the Ouchi clan to Oomorimachi Atagosan in 1434, and the Mori clan moved it to its present location in 1577. One of the sights to see is inside the haiden (worship hall). Sitting at the center of the wooden floor, you can find a colorful “crying dragon” painted above on the ceiling, and clapping your hands together creates an echo as if the dragon was howling. The shrine is famous as a place for matchmaking and there are many offerings of heart-shaped wooden plaques.
  • Ruins of Shimizudani Smelting Works
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou
    During the Meiji period, using the slopes at the foot of the mountain, the “Shimizudani Smelting Works” was built with cutting-edge technology at the time. However, as the quality of the ore deposits worsening and became unprofitable than originally anticipated, in 1896 after only a year and a half, the operation of the smelting works were suspended. Nowadays, the historic ruins of stone masonry are all that remain.

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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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