Coast / Beach Spots in Shimane Area

  • Inasanohama Beach
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Taishachoukidukikita Inasa
    A sandy beach located about a kilometer west of the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. The beach appears in the “Kuni-yuzuri,” a legend relating the transfer of the rulership of Japan to the gods of Heaven described in ancient texts such as the “Kojiki” and the “Nihonshoki,” as well as the legend of the “Kuni-biki” written in the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki.” Highlights include a sheer cliff where the gods Okuninushi and Takemikazuchi negotiated for the transfer of the ownership of the land; and Bentenjima, an island where the goddess Toyotama-hime is enshrined. Two famous Shinto rituals are conducted on the beach—the Shiokumi Shinji, held early on the morning of the first day of every month; and the Kamimukae no Shinji, held on the 10th of October according to the old calendar. The beach’s waters are shallow and the coast is beautiful, and many people come here in summer to swim and enjoy beach going.
  • 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. "
  • Iwami Tatamigaura Beach
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Hamadashi Kokubuchou
    "This is ""Iwami Tatamigaura"" beach, a nationally designated Natural Monument, where visitors can walk along the rock formations from around 16 million years ago. It is a place where visitors can see rare sights such as the fossils of shells and whales and traces of nodules and magma. Free tours from a volunteer guide are available on Sundays and national holidays from March to June and September to November. "
  • Kuniga Coast
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Prefecture Oki gun Nishinoshima cho
    The Kuniga Coast was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1938, and has also been designated a National Natural Monument. As a result of erosion by the fierce waves of the Sea of Japan, there is a seven kilometer stretch of coast running from east to west with more or less continuous cliffs, precipices and sea-caves, creating what has been described as the most beautiful scenery in the Oki region. There are cliffs more than 100 meters in height at various points along the coast, including one 257-meter-high cliff that looks as though it had been carved out with a giant knife, and which is the highest sea-cliff in Japan.
  • Akiya Coast
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Okigunamachou Toyoda
    The Akiya Coast is famous for its beautiful scenery. The brown rocks of Byobu-iwa and the other rocks protruding out of the sea make a gorgeous contrast with the emerald green ocean. The name “Akiya” derives from a legend that says that a goddess gave birth here. There is a municipal campsite and a sea-bathing area, so the Akiya Coast attracts a lot of visitors, especially in summer. Byobu-iwa is especially popular with couples, because it has a heart-shaped hole in it, and is said to have magical powers for strengthening romantic ties.
  • Shirashima Coast
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Okigunokinoshimachou Nishimura
    Shirashima Coast is a collective term for Cape Shirashima, which juts out into the ocean at the northernmost end of Dogo Island (the largest island in Oki Islands), Okinoshima Island, Matsushima Island and the neighboring small islands. This area has spectacular scenery, with white cliffs “floating” above azure seas; the Shirashima Coast has been designated as a National Natural Monument. The observation platform at the Cape offers impressive views.
  • Yana no Matsubara and Boat Houses
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Okinoshimacho Tsuma
  • Yananomatubara
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Okigunokinoshimachou Tsuma
  • Hamada Kaigan
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Hamada Kokubu Cho Kokubu
  • Shunjitunomatugun
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Okigunokinoshimachou Fuse
  • MisatoUra
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Prefecture
  • Oki Fuse Kaigan
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane
  • Oki Hakushima Kaigan
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Oki-gun Okinoshimacho

Shimane Areas

around-area-map

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.

Shimane Photo Album

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