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Ancient Japan Izumo

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日本
Izumo-shi, Shimane
Ancient Japan Izumo

Welcome to Izumo! Here, find more info about Izumo, its myths, beautiful sceneries, tourism spots, local foods, etc. Ready to experience mystical Japan?

01/06/2026

Kojindani’s Ancient Lotus 🪷

It's almost lotus blossom season!
The beautiful lotus flowers in the pond of Kojindani Park, next to Kojindani Archeological Museum, will start to bloom from mid-june.

On the 28th of June, a Lotus Festival will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Feel free to come take a look!

As the lotus flowers close in the afternoon, we suggest visiting in the morning if you want to be sure to enjoy the view of the blooming flowers.

　　

25/05/2026

Kōkokuji Temple

This is a renowned Rinzai Zen temple founded by Kokushi Sanko during the Nanboku-cho period (1337-1392).

The dry landscape garden located north of the study hall was created by Sawagendan, the personal gardener of Matsudaira Harusato, the 7th lord of the Matsue Domain.

In the white-sand garden, three rows of stones representing the wind extend northward from the study hall, and at the end of the stones stretching to the left lies a large pond. This pond and the forest beyond it, leading to Mount Tabushi, are incorporated into the garden scenery.

It has also been ranked highly in the American journal specializing in Japanese gardens, "The Journal of Japanese Gardening".

17/05/2026

Traditional dances at torchlight, the Yūkoku Kagari Bimai

The Yūkoku Kagari Bimai is an annual event where you can discover kagura traditional dances at torchlight at Inasa no Hama Beach. Bentenjima Island makes for a spectacular backdrop as you experience kagura with the soft sound of the waves. Do not miss this unique experience! This is the 18th time this performance has been held, and this year you can see it on May 30. Please note that the date changes every year.

Event name: Yūkoku Kagari Bimai
Date: 30 May 2026 (Saturday)*
*In the event of unfavorable weather or beach conditions, the event may be moved to May 31 (Sun). If the weather is still not good on this day, the event will be canceled.
Place: Inasa no Hama Beach, Taisha area, Izumo
Hour: 16:00~20:00
Entry: Free

10/05/2026

May 16th: Izumo Yashiki Grand Gratitude Festival

The third day of celebrations starts at 9am.
The Izumo Yashiki Grand Gratitude Festival is a celebration to give thanks for the Izumo Yashiki ritual, a ceremony for purifying building sites and houses.
After the sand used for this festival is offered to the gods and purified, it is sent to each place which has been blessed by the Izumo Yashiki ritual. This is done each year to revive the ritual’s spiritual power.

Celebrations are held on the shrine grounds, with traditional guardian lion dances, “shishimai,” performed by Kutami Shrine Lion Dance Preservation Association, and Isedai Kagura performed by Ridayū Kimura Group.

03/05/2026

May 15th: Second Celebrations

On the 15th, the second day of celebrations starts at 9am.
An imperial procession of the divine palanquins (mikoshi) is held from noon. The palanquins are carried around by the Taisha area’s shrine parishioners, alongside a children’s parade.

Kagura dances are performed as offerings to the gods.

27/04/2026

May 14th: The Archery Festival – annual festival 🎯

From 9am, an archery ritual Matoisai is held at the Worship Hall (haiden). A Shinto priest shoots an evil-cleansing arrow from the Approach of the Pines, purifying the area before the celebrations start.

Then from 10am, the priests of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine don special uniforms and form a procession to the Main Shrine (honden). These uniforms are worn only once a year, for this event. The priests come one after another to present various offerings to the gods. A prayer is then said, wishing for the prosperity of the imperial household and the nation. Next, the imperial envoy forms a procession with their attendants to deliver the offerings from the Emperor, which are brought in a chest.

20/04/2026

Izumo Taisha Daisairei Festival: Shinto offerings from the Emperor

The Imperial Festival, or Grand Festival, is held every year on May 14th, 15th and 16th. It is the most important event at Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine.

This major Shinto festival is held at Izumo Taisha. Along with the festival, there is a flea market and a big tea ceremony event. You will be able to enjoy all of this in the same place, and with a much smaller number of tourists! A win-win, right? Plus, the season is ideal, as the weather is not yet too hot, and the rainy season won’t start until June!

13/04/2026

The former Taisha Station will reopen This week! 🚂

Opened in 1912, the Former Taisha Station ceased operations in 1990 and was designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 2004. It will reopen on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Come to see this magnificent early 20th-century station located less than a 20-minute walk from the Izumo Ōyashiro Grand Shrine.

We are waiting for you!

05/04/2026

Cherry trees are in full bloom in Izumo! 🌸

This is a great opportunity to share some pictures with you of several places where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms; Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Akagawa River.

29/03/2026

The Statue of “Musubi”

On the path to Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, just before going through the last torii gate, there is a statue of Okuninushi no Okami, the god enshrined in the main shrine.

This statue represents a scene from the myth about Okuninushi becoming the god of “enmusubi” (binding fate). The troubled Okuninushi was staring at the distant land over the sea (world of the dead), thinking about the friend who had since returned there, who had helped him to build the country when he was young, Sukunahikona no Kami. Then, he received the sakimitama and kushimitama, two divine spirits (one said to bring happiness and protection, and the other a mystic force) that appeared from beyond the raging waves.

Receiving those two spirits helped Okuninushi develop his divine nature and become the “God of Enmusubi”, binding the fates of all the living creatures to bring them happiness.

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住所

Izumo-shi, Shimane