Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Spots in Shimane Area

  • 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...

  • Izumo Bunka Denshokan (Izumo Cultural Heritage Museum)
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    4.0
    28 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Hamachou 520
    Izumo Bunka Denshokan (Izumo Cultural Heritage Museum) preserves the cultural heritage of the Izumo region with displays that include the relocated Omoya (main building) and Nagaya-mon Gate of the former residence of the Ezumi Family (who were wealthy farmers resident in the Izumo region), a recreation of the Dokuraku-an (a teahouse which was beloved by Matsudaira Harusato, the seventh lord of the Matsue domain and commonly called Fumaiko), an Izumo-style garden, etc. There is also a Soba noodle restaurant where visitors can enjoy authentic Izumo Soba noodles, and an Izumo Cultural Workshop where visitors can take part in creative activities, etc., making this an ideal destination for people of all ages.

    出雲の歴史を学ぶことができます。昔ながらの日本家屋や日本庭園もあります。中には献上そばで有名の羽根屋がありおすすめです。

  • 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。

  • Goka Sosei-kan Museum of Traditional Culture
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    4.0
    13 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Oki-gun Okinoshimacho 615-1
    A cultural museum in Okinoshima Town about 20 minutes by car from Saigo Port. The building has a modern looking facade and showcases traditional entertainment while offering tourist information for Dozen and Dogo islands. As soon as you enter the building, a unique Oki kite variety called an iguri-dako kite will catch your eye. They have 10 ear-like curves along the outer edge, and people fly them around first spring storm in March every year. They also display items related to famous Okinoshima Town bullfighting and traditional sumo, with impressive full-scale models and taxidermy.

    西郷港から山を越えて北上し、五箇地区にある施設。街道から一本入ったところで、看板等ないので行き過ぎ注意。 郷土資料館とのセットでチケット買うとお得です。牛の模型やローカルスタイルの相撲など、隠岐の知識を得られます。

  • Emperor Gotoba Museum
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    3.5
    7 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Oki-gun Amacho Ama
    A museum opposite Oki-jinja Shrine, which honors Emperor Gotoba. In a modern Japanese-Western-style building near old pine trees, it mainly has displays related to him. Emperor Gotoba is said to have lived in Ama Town after being exiled to Oki. The museum, the shrine, and the Emperor's burial site are all close together, so many people visit all three. Texts said to have been written when he was afflicted by disease and a long sword that's been designated a prefectural Cultural Property are on display.

    隠岐神社の鳥居前にある資料館。隠岐神社まで行ったなら手軽に立ち寄れるが、それ以外であればわざわざ行く価値があるかどうかはかなり微妙。内部は思った程広くなく、正直値段を考えればコスパはギリギリに近いところ。

  • Unshu Soroban Abacus Traditional Manufacturing Gallery
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    4.0
    5 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Nita-gun Okuizumocho Yokota 992-2
    The Yokota District of Okuizumo is considered the birthplace of the Japanese abacus, or soroban. Called Unshu Soroban, their production was designated a Traditional Craft by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in 1987. This facility, located next to JR Izumo-Yokota Station, introduces the history, traditional techniques, tools and processes of their manufacture. There are displays of famous examples from ancient days to modern times, as well as soroban made all over Japan, so that anyone who wants can come and experience this important history and traditional themselves. The building exterior has a unique design based on a soroban bead, as well.

    出雲横田駅のすぐ横です。松本清張の「砂の器」にも出てくる雲集そろばんの歴史を語ってくれる施設・。 そろばんを製作する工程や工具、さらに世界のそろばんのコレクションなど内容豊富です。 電卓パソコン全盛の現代ですが、ここへ来るとそろばんも風情があっていいなと思いました。

  • Yamashiro Futagozuka Kofun
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    4.0
    5 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Matsue-shi Yamashirocho 470-1
    "Measuring 94 meters long, it is the largest rectangular-shaped kofun ancient tomb in the prefecture. Part of it was removed when a former Army infantry was set up, but it is now been restored. It is famous for being the first tomb to be called a ""rectangular-shaped kofun"" in Japan in 1925. The two-level tomb is surrounded by a moat and dike. There is an observation room in the rear where you can see the real embankment, and you can see that a high level of skill was used to make the tomb. It is thought that the burial chief of the eastern part of Izumo is buried in the tomb because cylindrical haniwa clay images and Sue pottery were excavated from the foot of the mound and the surrounding moat."

    山代二子塚古墳のガイダンス施設ですので、見学をする観光地としても人気があります。石室の実物大模型があったり、古墳に関する解説パネルが設置されてますので、学校などの子供の教育の観光地としても有名です。入場料が無料となってますし、大型のバスが止められる駐車場もあります。古代の見物を実際に見ることが出来るので、とても勉強になります。

  • Hanzake Nature Museum of Mizuho
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    3.5
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Ochigunonanchou Kamikamedani 475
    "This Japanese giant salamander museum is located an approximately 20-minute drive from the Oasa Interchange on the Hamada Expressway. It is also called ""hanzake"" in Shimane Prefecture and more commonly ""living fossils,"" the museum has a Japanese giant salamander breeding exhibit. Besides the large water tank where they are bred that is about five meters wide and reproduces the river in Onan-cho, there is a corner there you can learn about the behavior of the giant salamander by experiencing their smell and other things. In addition, it is also a facility where you can learn about the rich nature of Onan-cho. In addition, they also sell cute souvenirs of Japanese giant salamander figurines."

    島根県ではオオサンショウウオのことを「ハンザケ」と呼んでいるそうです。今年9月に生まれたばかりの赤ちゃんから、30年前に動物園から譲り受けたお父さんまで、「3千万年前の化石と今の姿がほとんど変わっていない世界最大の両生類」を見ることができました。

  • Kashima Museum of History and Folklore
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    3.5
    2 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Matsue-shi Kashimacho Myobun 1355-4
    This museum opened in 1987 as a base for promoting regional culture. It preserves and exhibits materials and excavated artifacts to tell the story of Kashima's ancient history. The cross-section of the stripped shell layer of the largest Jomon shell mound in the San'in region, the Sada Kobu shell mound, is a sight to behold. The museum also houses many buried cultural properties such as the ruins of the Koura Sand Dunes, known as a mass grave from the early Yayoi period (300 BC-300 AD), and artifacts from the Horibe I Site, a prefectural historic site. There is also video of the Sada Shinno, registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, allowing anyone to easily experience traditional culture and local history.

    弥生時代前期には出雲の海の玄関口として、朝鮮半島との交流があったそうです。朝鮮半島の土器など、海を通じた交流にかかわる資料が展示してありました。この地方の、古代の歴史について知ることができました。

  • Kounkaku
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Matsueshi Tonomachi 1-59
    A structure built as a temporary residence for Emperor Meiji for a planned official visit completed in 1903. Located inside Matsue Jozan Park in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, the building is designated a Tangible Cultural Property by Shimane Prefecture. Although the Emperor’s tour was ultimately never implemented, the building was used to host Prince Yoshihito (later Emperor Taisho) as well as for a variety of other uses such as a reception hall for the city and as a venue for various exhibitions. The building was opened to the general public in 2015 after repairs were made to preserve its original appearance. The magnificent structure is adorned with a much ornamentation and carving both inside and out, and visitors can enjoy the superb blending of Japanese and Western influences incorporated into its design. There is a café on the first floor where you can take a relaxing break while soaking in the Meiji period atmosphere.
  • Ginzan Village wadachinmiwamiginzanten riyoukan Arata
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Omorichou C
  • Hirose Gasuri Center
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Yasugi-shi Hirosecho Machicho 775-1
    A museum that's part of Roadside Station Hirose Tomita Castle. With its many looms, the museum passes on Hirose-cho, Yasugi City's traditional weaving and dyeing craft to the present day. Known as Hirose Gasuri, the weaving tradition was developed in 1824. The fabric features large patterns combining motifs and geometric designs. With a simple, natural feel made with indigo dye, it's carefully woven to make it extremely sturdy. Hirose Gasuri is one of the San'in region's leading kasuri fabrics, along with the Yumigahama area's Yumihama gasuri and Kurayoshi City's Kurayoshi gasuri. It's also been designated a Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property. Indigo dyeing workshops are available with advance reservation.
  • Oki Family
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Oki-gun Okinoshimacho Shimonishi
    A historic building tucked away in the eastern part of Oki Island. It's the site of the Oki clan's residence, who were hereditary priests of Tamawakasu-mikoto-jinja Shrine. It has cultural properties on display like an old ekirei bell and ancient copper seals. During the ancient Ritsuryo period, ekirei were used to requisition people and horses. It's the only one of its kind left in Japan. Along with the family's residence with a thatched gabled roof next to Tamawakasu-mikoto-jinja Shrine, it is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
  • Hekifu-kan Museum
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Oki-gun Nishinoshima Cho Beppu 275
    A museum located about a five-minute drive from Beppu Port. At the entrance of Kuroki Imperial Palace where Emperor Godaigo stayed after being exiled to Oki, it exhibits documents and paintings related to the Emperor. It is most often visited before heading to the Imperial Palace, and the caretaker will carefully explain the background of Emperor Godaigo and the Ruins of Kuroki Imperial Palace. It'll help you picture the life he lived in the year-plus he spent there, as well as the tension he must have felt when escaping.
  • Kodai Tetsu Kayokan
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Unnan-shi Daitocho Nakayuishi 84
    A cultural facility located a ten-minute drive from Izumo Daito Station. It has a theater holding performances like kagura ritual song and dance and mythological re-enactments, as well as a museum with exhibits related to these performing arts. The second-floor exhibition area with about 100 different kagura masks is remarkable. The facility showcases the changing culture of iron production and mythology of the region cultivated throughout history and immortalized in song. In recent years, it has also acted as a base for local cultural activities, hosting private exhibits and the work of various cultural clubs.
  • Tsuwano Kyodo-kan Museum
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Kanoashi-gun Tsuwanocho Mori Mura Ro 127
    A cultural facility established in 1921 at a time when it was the only local history museum in the prefecture. It houses and exhibits a wealth of historical materials ranging from the ancient Jomon period to the present. Originally it was in the Hanko Yorokan's book storehouse but moved to its current location in 1940 as part of a project marking the legendary founding of Japan. The museum houses the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region, including items related to Tsuwano Castle, which was occupied in turn by the Yoshimi, Sakazaki, and Kamei clans. It has displays lots of items worth seeing like materials on Hanko Yorokan, the Tsuwano domain school responsible for training, and a 400-year-old breech-loading swivel cannon, one of only nine remaining in Japan.
  • Takasago Sake Brewery Museum, Zaima Sakaba
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Kanoashi-gun Tsuwanocho Nakaza Ro 34
    A museum adjacent to the Zaima Sakaba brewery founded in 1791. Located in Tsuwano, also known as San'in's Little Kyoto, it displays sake making tools and equipment dating from the Edo to the early Showa periods. These include a cauldron for steaming sake rice and a stone trough for pressing the sake from its mash. With its water ways stretching throughout the town, Tsuwano has had abundant pure water resources since the days of old. The museum presents a sake flavor and tradition that has been kept alive for more than 200 years to the present day. It's about eight minutes by car from Tsuwano Station. Look for the large ball of cedar twigs hanging from the eaves.
  • Izumo Tamatsukuri Museum
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Matsue-shi Tamayucho Tamatsukuri 99-3
    This is the central facility of Izumo Tamatsukuri Historic Park, where many workshops for making magatama and tube beads have been excavated throughout a vast site of about 2.8 hectares. It is the only museum in Japan that introduces the art and history of ancient bead-making. There is a permanent exhibition on ancient Izumo bead-making, displays on modern Izumo agate work, as well as of tools and products with agate work that was done until the Taisho (1912-1926) and Showa (1926-1989) periods. There is also an exhibition of Fujina ware, which has been popular in this area since the middle of the Edo period, and you can see the warm yellow glaze of the works.
  • Yakushiyu Onsen Shinyu gallery
    rating-image
    4.5
    36 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Odashi Yunotsuchouyunotsu

    平日の昼時に行ったら独り占めでした。コロナ対策はきちんとしています。 先ずは脱衣所にある水道のイオン水を一杯飲んでから入りましょうという案内通りに従います。次に掛け湯をして温泉に浸かり思いっきり空気を吸い込んでまったりします。 湯の温度は42度くらいでしょう。初めにイオン水を飲んだからでしょうか、湯に浸かっていてものぼせることなく気持ち良く浸かっていられます。 独占からか50分くらい滞在しました...

  • Tuwanomachinipponisan Ctr
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    4.0
    19 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Ushiroda Russia 253

    津和野の本町通りの外れの方にありました。津和野駅からは徒歩の範囲に入ると思いますが、なぜこの場所なのかなと思いました。津和野の季節ごとの景色、食べ物、行事などが展示されていました。スタッフが丁寧に説明してこれたので、最初にここに来た方が便利だったかなと思いました。トイレも利用できました。

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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