History / Culture / Tour Spots in Tsuwano / Masuda Area

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Tsuwano / Masuda

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine

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...
Tsuwano Catholic Church

4.0

103 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Ushiroda B 66 - 7

Tsuwano Catholic Church, with its eye-catching Western Gothic style exterior, was built by a German priest in 1931. The inside of the church is a mix of both Western and Japanese influences with tatami flooring and impressive stained glass windows. Many Japanese Christians were persecuted and tortured for their religious beliefs at the Otome Pass in Tsuwano by the government during the Edo and Meiji periods from 1868 to 1872. Next to the Tsuwano Catholic Church is the Otome Pass Exhibition Room with exhibits on the persecution. The nearest station is Tsuwano Station.

I did not expect to find a catholic church in the middle of Tsuwano. I walked by it once and it was crowded so I made a note to go again later to see if I could see the inside. I did come back later...
Anno Art Museum

4.5

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Ushiroda A) 60-1

This art museum features exhibits dedicated to famous Tsuwano-born illustrator Mitsumasa Anno, recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Award and recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit. The exhibit building has an impressive design, with white plaster walls and a red-tiled roof. Works such as “Tsuwano, Washibara” and “The Picture Book of Geocentric Theory” are rotated on a three-month basis. There’s also a planetarium on-site as well as a space with a recreation of Anno’s home and atelier. A separate building contains a library and other facilities. The nearest station is Tsuwano Station.

Just across from Tsuwano Station, this large museum ( entry ¥800) contains works by Mitsumasa Anno. It was well worth a visit although unfortunately I didn’t have time to see the other attractions...
Mori Ogai Memorial Museum

4.0

40 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Machida A 238

This memorial museum was constructed adjacent to an old residence of Tsuwano where Meiji-period literary giant Mori Ogai spent his childhood. Important materials are displayed here, such as the Mori Ogai’s personal effects and handwritten drafts. Events such as memorial seminars and forums are held every year on Mori Ogai’s birthday (January 19th) and the day of his passing (July 9th.)

森鴎外の旧居の隣に立派な施設として建ってました。文豪と作品と軍医であった程度の予備知識で訪れたので、生涯全般についてみることができました。隣の旧居とセットの入場券で見学できました。駐車場は前にありました。
Yomeji Temple

4.0

30 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Kanoashi-gun Tsuwanocho Ushiroda Ro 107

A Soto Zen Buddhist temple surrounded by forest. It has been designated a prefectural Tangible Cultural Property as the family temple of generations of Tsuwano Castle feudal lords including the Yoshimi, Sakazaki, and Kamei clans. Rarely seen today, the superb thatched roof was reconstructed in 1779. It contrasts strikingly with features like the white plaster walls, stone walls, and old pillars. The majestic grounds have been designated as a part of the Tsuwano Feudal Lord Kamei Family Graveyard National Historic Site. The graves of the first Tsuwano feudal lord, Sakazaki Naomori, and the great Meiji period writer Ogai Mori are also on the premises.

境内に向かう参道前に「覚皇山永明寺」の標識が立っていました。その横には永明寺坂を紹介する津和野今昔イラスト入り説明板もあり、歴史を感じさせられました。坂の上の山門を潜ると境内へ進むようになり、正面本堂の屋根を見て驚きました。現在、修復工事中との事でしたが、茅葺き屋根が同寺の特徴となっていました。
Shimane Prefectural IWAMI ART MUSEUM

4.0

28 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shimane Masuda-shi Ariakecho 5-15

An art museum that's part of the Shimane Arts Center's Grand Toit, a facility for culture and the arts in the Iwami area. The venue holds high-quality thematic exhibits from its permanent collection, as well as a range of special exhibitions covering a variety of fields, workshops, and lectures to deepen understanding of the arts. Made with 280,000 tough and durable locally produced Sekishu-gawara roofing tiles, it's a landmark that harmonizes with the surrounding natural environment. It's next to the Iwami Art Theater, built for the appreciation and creation of the arts. The courtyard connects the museum and the theater and is a nice break spot for visitors.

実家が近く年に1度訪れています。様々な企画展や催しも良いものが多いですが、建物だけでも一見の価値あり。益田観光の際にはぜひ。
Manpukuji Temple

4.5

14 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Masuda-shi Higashimachi 25-33

A temple built in the Heian period as the Masuda training facility for the Jishu school of Buddhism. At that time it was called Anfukuji Temple and was near the mouth of Masuda River. It was washed away by an enormous tsunami in 1026. The temple was rebuilt at its current location in 1374 and given the name it has today. The main hall consists of an about 13-meter-square single-story building that preserves architectural features from the Kamakura period. Although the main gate was burned down in the Masudaguchi War, the main hall and the temple kitchen were left intact and remain as they were when the temple was founded. The temple features many cultural assets important to medieval Masuda culture, including a garden created by Sesshu, a Niga Byakudo-zu painting showing the teachings of Buddhism, and a Kanan-sansai vase acquired through pre-modern European trade.

鎌倉時代の七尾城主益田氏の建立だそうです。外観は本当にシンプルですが屋根のしなりなどに素朴な美しさがあります。拝観できるので本堂の中を見ると柱などに時代が感じられます。裏手の雪舟の作庭による庭は医光寺程の華やかさは有りませんが素朴な美しい庭だと思いました。
Nichihara Astronomical Observatory

4.5

10 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shimane Kanoashi-gun Tsuwanocho Makurase 806-1

"An astronomical observatory located at the top of 255-meter Mt. Makurase. It is equipped with a 75-centimeter computer-controlled theodolite Nasmyth telescope, with one of the largest apertures among astronomical telescopes open to the public in Japan. Mt. Makurase overlooks the confluence of the Tsuwano and Takatsu rivers and is an area free of light from the town. From the compact structure in a dense grove, you can get an unobstructed view of the star-lit skies. It sees lots of visitors throughout the year and is a symbolic spot for this ""Star Village."""

日原天文台は、宿泊客も食事の前後にみられる天文台です。島根県内でも天文台は珍しく、天気が良ければ、沢山のきれいな星が見られます。
Tsuwano Castle Ruins

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Ushiroda

Tsuwano Castle is also known by another name, “Sanbonmatsu-jo.” During the Mongol invasions of Japan the defense of western provinces was ordered, and Yoshimi Yoriyuki, who was appointed as the feudal lord of the western Iwami Yoshika area, began construction of the fortifications in 1295, and the fortress was completed after 30 years. The castle is a representative mountain castle made by removing soil from the mountain top and creating artificial trenches around the mountain peak, and is one of only a very few castles in which the Middle Age and Modern Age construction specifications are unified. The castle ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1942. Visitors can use a sightseeing chair lift to access the honmaru and demaru. The site offers a sweeping view of the town of Tsuwano and the gently flowing Tsuwano River.
Sesshu Memorial Museum

3.5

7 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Masudashi Otoyoshichou A) 1149

"Located around 50 minutes' drive from the Hamada Interchange of the Chugoku Expressway, Sesshu Memorial Museum has on display works by the famous Muromachi period (1336-1573) painter and Buddhist monk Sesshu, as well as photographs and folding screens depicting places associated with Sesshu, and displays on the history of Masuda City, where Sesshu is said to have died. The museum is adjacent to Daikian Temple, where Sesshu is said to be buried. From the museum lobby, which is modeled on Tiantong Temple in China, visitors can look out over a garden designed as a Karesansui (traditional Japanese rock garden), based on an image created by Sesshu in his ""Kachozu Byobu"" (""Painting of Flowers and Birds on a Folding Screen""), and enjoy the seasonal vistas created by pines trees, bamboo and cherry trees. The vicinity of the museum has been arranged to resemble one of Sesshu's own landscape paintings, creating a place where visitors can relax while pondering on Sesshu's artistic achievements."

雪舟のゆかりの地域の写真や屏風絵を多く展示しています。また、ウォーキングコースもあります。自然に囲まれています。
Morijuku Art Museum

3.5

5 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Morimura A) 542

This is an art museum located a 15-minute walk from JR Yamaguchi Line's Tsuwano Station, impressive for its building reconstructed and remodeled from a residence of the Tsuwano domain's principal village headman. The thick beams and central pillar of the interior remind one of a traditional Japanese house, with the masterworks of Tsuwano-born western-style artist Sho Nakao and his wife Maya Yoshiura on display. In addition, Spanish court painter Goya's valuable copperplate engravings from his “matador” series are also on display. On the second floor one can see “pinhole photography” at work, the image of the garden appearing to be reversed when viewed through a hole in a sliding storm shutter.

庄屋屋敷を修復した美術館です。絵画の他に刺繍なども展示してました。とにかく庄屋屋敷というだけあって、庭園も含めて外観が素晴らしい。すぐ隣に庄屋屋敷もあります。白壁が美しいので、これも見て下さい。
Takatsu Kakinomoto Shrine

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 Arts Center - Grand Toit

Leisure / Hobbies

Shimane Pref. Masudashi Ariakechou 5-15

This facility is a rare building nationally, serving both as a museum and theater combined. It is a building that uses Sekishu stone tiles on the roof and walls, familiar to the residences of Iwami. The building is beautiful with the characteristic change of expression of the glassy surface of the tiles. A variety of exhibitions and events are held both at the museum and theater to entertain many people.
Otome Toge Maria Seido

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Ushiroda Otometoge

This is a small Christian church, built in the land of Christian martyrdom Otome Pass. In the first year of the Meiji era (1868) when Christianity was forbidden, 153 Christians from Nagasaki Urakami were imprisoned in Korin Temple at Otome Pass. Following cruel torturing to renounce their religion, 36 martyrs had emerged by 1870, and it is said that the Virgin Mary descended to give encouragement to her believers. The eight stained glass windows in the church show the state of martyrdom at the time. A special mass is held on May 3rd as part of the “Otome Pass Festival” to remember these martyrs.
Nishi Amane Former Residence

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Prefecture Tsuwano Ushiroda 64-6

This is the residence of the philosopher, Nishi Amane who was the first person to introduce Western philosophy to Japan creating words such as “Tetsugaku” (philosophy) and “Kankaku” (sense), and lived until he was 21 years old at this residence. After the Meiji Restoration, Nishi served consecutively as a bureaucrat in the Army, the Ministry of Education and at the Home Office, and he also participated in the drawing up of the Meiji Constitutional draft. Mori Ogai was a relative of Nishi Amane; his former residence sits across the Tsuwano River directly across from where Ogai’s former residence is built. The thatched main wing of the house and the Amane’s study room which was formerly a storehouse has also been designated as a National Historic Site.
Ogai Mori Former Residence

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Machida Lee 230

Mori Ogai from Tsuwano was a literary master from the Meiji period, who was also a military doctor. The former residence of Mori Ogai is the home he lived in until he was 10 years of age. He passed away leaving a will which stated, “I want to die as Rintaro Mori from Shimane Prefecture”. From this we can also see his thoughts towards Tsuwano. In the garden there is a monument carved with Ogai’s poem “Botan” which is engraved with Sato Haruo’s writing brush. In addition, you can see pictures and letters related to Ogai at the Mori Ogai Memorial Museum which is adjacent.
Washihara Hachimangu Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Washibara A) 632-2

This shrine is located near Tsuwano Jozan Park in Tsuwano Town. The three principal shrine gods are Homutawake-no-mikoto (Emperor Ojin), Tamayori-hime and Okinagatarashi-hime-no-mikoto (Empress Jingu) Hchiman-mikami, and it is known as the temple adjacent to Japan's oldest Yabusame horseback archery field (a Shimane Prefecture-designated Historic Site), and the shrine is a nationally-designated Important Cultural Property depicted in the 100 Landscapes of Tsuwano. The shrine has Muromachi period (1336-1573 as a rough guide) Shinto architecture, the tower gate, front shrine and main building are in a straight line, and there are approximately 600 year-old large cedar trees on the mountain behind it. At the spring grand festival held on the second Sunday of every April, many tourists come for the Yabusame horseback archery ritual.
Taikian

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Masuda-shi Otoyoshicho I1149

A cottage about ten minutes by car from Masuda Station. It's at the site of Tokoji Temple, where Sesshu, a Muromachi period ink painter, spent his later years. His grave is at the site, too. It is said that the location was chosen because the Masuda region was relatively peaceful and because the view looking out across the Yoshida Plain to the Sea of Japan resembled parts of China. A spring on the grounds is said to be the same one he used for his inkstone and making tea. This refined and dignified man is still beloved by many to this day.
Yasaka-jinja Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Kanoashi-gun Tsuwanocho Ushiroda 67

A shrine that is famous for holding the Heron Dance, an ancient ritual and performing art that's a hallmark of the prefecture. Originally the shrine was on top of Mt. Taikodani under the name of Takimoto Gionsha, but it was moved to its current location in 1428 to help protect the castle from evil influences. The Heron Dance is held annually on July 20th and July 27th. It is said that its roots lie in the Heron Dance of the Kyoto Gion Festival held in 1542 to protect against the plague. The lyrics sung during the ceremony are comedic and involve a tea peddler; extremely important for understanding changes in the performing arts, it's been designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Tago Karo Gate

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Kanoashi-gun Tsuwano

Residencial gates on Tsuwano Tonomachi-dori Street, where the Tsuwano domain's chief retainer's residences once stood. There are three chief retainers' gates on the street, belonging to the Maki family, the Ooka family, and the Tago family who served the Kamei clan, Tsuwano feudal lords for 11 generations. The dignified appearance gives an idea of the prosperity of the past. Four meters wide and 26 meters deep, they are flanked by watch structures and checkpoints. It's a symbolic Tsuwano spot where you can see the namako walls surrounded the area and carp swimming in the nearby waterways.

Shimane Tsuwano / Masuda

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Shimane Areas

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.