Shimane
Eight million gods gather here every October. Izumo Taisha — Japan’s shrine of love and destiny — has drawn pilgrims for 1,300 years to pray at the birthplace of Japan’s creation myth.
縁結びの大社・出雲大社、松江城・堀川めぐり、隠岐の島——島根は日本の神話と歴史が最も深く根付いた、神々の国です。
Shimane Prefecture sits on the mythological heartland of Japan, where the Kojiki (Japan’s oldest chronicle) locates the creation of the islands and the home of the gods. Izumo Taisha is one of Japan’s oldest and most sacred Shinto shrines — in October (Kannazuki, ‘month without gods’), eight million deities are said to gather here from across Japan to arrange marriages for the coming year. Matsue, Shimane’s charming castle town, has one of Japan’s twelve surviving original castles.
八百万の神が集う出雲大社（縁結びの神様）、国宝・松江城とその城下町の堀川めぐり、島根半島から沖合に浮かぶ隠岐の島——島根は『神々の国』の名にふさわしい深い文化と自然を持つ県です。
Recommended Omiyage
おすすめおみやげ 5選
Shijimi Clam
Japan’s finest freshwater clams from Lake Shinji — rich in amino acids and deeply savoury broth
宍道湖産の大粒しじみは日本一の品質。旨みたっぷりのしじみ汁は絶品。
Yakumo Natto
Izumo-style fermented soy with a distinctive regional flavour — a Shimane breakfast staple
出雲地方独特の製法による八雲なっとう。しっかりした粒と深みのある味。
Izumo Kagura Mask
Lacquered Kagura dance masks used in sacred Shinto performances — collector’s quality craft
神楽舞に使われる精巧な漆塗りのお面。縁結びの神様・出雲の工芸品。
Obako Azuki
Sweets made from Nita town’s premium red azuki beans — the finest in Japan
奥出雲の仁多産小豆を使った上品な和菓子。日本一の小豆産地から生まれた銘菓。
Raicho Sake
Delicate junmai sake from Matsue breweries — perfect with Shimane seafood
松江の蔵元が醸す淡麗辛口の純米酒。宍道湖の海の幸によく合う。
Must-Visit Spots
おすすめスポット 5選
Izumo Taisha
Japan’s shrine of love and destiny — 1,300-year-old home of the god Okuninushi
縁結びの神・大国主命を祀る最古の大社。本殿は日本最大の神社建築。
Matsue Castle
One of Japan’s twelve surviving original castles — black-lacquered wood and moat boat rides
現存12天守で唯一の正真正銘の現存天守。松江城の堀川めぐりも人気。
Horikawa River Cruise
Flat-bottom boat through Matsue’s castle moat and low stone bridges — year-round, heated in winter
松江城の堀をめぐる遊覧船。低い橋をくぐる際に全員で伏せるのが名物。
Oki Islands
Remote island chain with UNESCO Geopark status, wild horses and dramatic sea cliffs
日本海に浮かぶ世界ジオパーク認定の離島群。野生馬と断崖が迫力満点。
Shimane Art Museum
Lakeside museum famous for its magical sunset view over Lake Shinji with silhouetted cranes
宍道湖に沈む夕日とコウノトリのシルエットが美しい水辺の美術館。
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Izumo Taisha in October?
In the old lunar calendar’s 10th month (called Kannazuki — ‘month without gods’ elsewhere), all eight million Japanese deities gather at Izumo Taisha to discuss marriages and human fates. The Grand Festival (Kamiari-sai) is held Oct 10–17 (lunar).
旧暦10月（神在月）に全国から八百万の神が出雲大社に集まり縁結びを定めるとされます。神在祭は旧暦10月10〜17日。
What is the Horikawa boat cruise and what makes it special?
The flat-bottom boat glides through 24 bridges in Matsue’s castle moat — some so low that everyone must lie flat on the boat floor to pass through. In winter, the boat has a heated kotatsu table inside.
24の橋をくぐる堀川めぐりでは、低い橋のたびに全員が寝そべる体験がユニーク。冬はこたつ付きの温かいボートで運行。
How do I get to Izumo Taisha from Matsue?
Take the Ichibata Electric Railway (一畑電車) from Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station to Izumotaisha-mae Station (80 min, ¥790). Or drive — 30 minutes on the expressway.
松江しんじ湖温泉駅から一畑電車で出雲大社前駅まで約80分（790円）。車なら高速で約30分。
Travel Tip
Visit the Shimane Art Museum (島根県立美術館) at sunset — the lakeside terrace offers one of Japan’s most serene evening scenes, with egrets silhouetted against a red sky over Lake Shinji. Entry is free 30 minutes before closing.
