"Japan's largest double-loop road is 105-meter difference of elevation and has of 11 bridges of various sizes and three tunnels. It was built to resemble Yamata-no-orochi, an eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent from Japanese mythology that forms a double-coiled spiral. The eye-catching red of the Miino Bridge is a take on the flames used to make tatara steel, as well as the fire blown by Yamata-no-orochi. Lots of tourists stop for a break from driving and to purchase souvenirs at ""Oku-Izumo Orochi Loop"" Roadside Station and the Okuizumo Steel Sculpture Museum on National Route 314 that connects Hiroshima Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture. The loop has also received the Human Road Forum Awards' highest prize, with a theme of ""Making Roads that Harmonize with People and Vehicles."""

"A 10-minute drive from JR Sakaiminato Station or 45 minutes from the Yonago Interchange on the Yonago Expressway. The longest prestressed concrete rigid-frame bridge in Japan, it spans Nakaumi Lake, connecting Yatsuka-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture with Watari-cho, Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. The bridge's highest point is 45 meters above the water of the lake in order to allow the passage of 1,446.2 meter-long, 5,000-ton ships underneath. Featured in a television commercial for a car because of its steep slope on one side, it has also come to be known as ""pedal to the metal hill"" due to a line from that commercial. Located on the Matsue City side, the actual grade of the slope is just 6.1%, but the commercial's shooting angles and methods made it look almost like a vertically rising wall."

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.

This is an active volcano belonging to the Daisen volcanic zone in the central part of Shimane prefecture, the highest of the six peaks being Mt. Osanbe surrounding a volcanic crater diameter of about 1.2 kilometers named “Murono uchi” The Sanbesan-Shizenrin forest stretching from the north face of Mt. Osanbe to Murono uchi is one of Japan’s protected natural treasures, and one can enjoy a peaceful walk or autumn leaf viewing while climbing the mountain. There are mountain trails maintained on each face, as well as hiking courses after an easy lift ride.

An ancient Shinto shrine located in mentioned in the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki,” a book documenting local customs and culture. The shrine is the head shrine of all shrines dedicated to Kotoshironushi (Ebisu). The main shrine building, a designated National Treasure, is built in the Miho-zukuri (hiyoku taisha-zukuri) style and consists of two halls joined together. The one on the left facing the building is dedicated to Kotoshironushi, while the one on the right is dedicated to his mother, Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto. The shrine is believed to grant worshippers a variety of benefits, including not only prosperity in business but also large harvests, maritime safety, and luck in public performance. The shrine’s Aofushigaki Shinji ritual, held on April 7, and Morotebune Shinji ritual, held on December 3, are connected with the “kuni-yuzuri,” a legend relating the transfer of the rulership of Japan to the gods of Heaven, and during these times great numbers of people from around the country come to witness the events.

This shrine in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture is famous for marriage and enshrines the gods Susano-no-mikoto and Inatahime-no-mikoto. The three-paneled Itae Chakushoku Shinzo pictures (wall painting in the honden) in the treasure storage room has been designated as an important cultural property. On the grounds are many popular spots for women, including the Meoto-sugi (coupled cryptomeria trees), Meoto-tsubaki (coupled camellia) and Kagami-no-ike (mirror pond), where the appearance of a suitable marriage partner is predicted by the speed of which a piece of Japanese paper sinks after a coin is placed on top.

An ancient Shinto shrine located in Izumo City, Tottori Prefecture which is even mentioned in the ancient “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki,” a book describing the culture and customs of the region. The shrine is primarily dedicated to the god Susanoo-no-mikoto, who, according to Japanese legend, slew the fearsome eight-headed dragon Yamata-no-orochi. It is said that this area was the last place Susanoo-no-mikoto pioneered, after which he gave it his own name and passed away. In addition to a towering Japanese cedar tree over 1,300 years old, the shrine’s grounds are dotted with spots deemed the “Seven Wonders of Susa.” The shrine is famous for the three rituals conducted during the annual festival held on April 19 as well as the Kiriaki Shinji, a ritual called the Nenbutsu Odori (“Buddhist Prayer Dance”) conducted on August 15. In recent years, the shrine has also become popular as a mystical “power spot.”

A Shinto shrine standing amidst the mountains of Yakumo Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to the god Kaburogi-kumano-okami Kushi-mike-no-mikoto, which is viewed as another name for the god Susanoo-no-mikoto. Together with the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, the Kumano Taisha has been viewed as one of the holiest shrines in the local Izumo area, and the shrine is famous as being the origin of fire in Japan. Some of the shrine’s many highlights include the taisha-zukuri style main shrine building, and the Sanka-den hall, which is built in a unique style—in addition to a thatched roof, the hall’s four walls are covered with hinoki cypress bark. During the Sanka Festival on October 15, the chief priest of the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine visits the Kumano Taisha and performs the Kamedayu Shinji, a ritual wherein the priest receives a wooden hand drill and board for lighting a sacred fire.

Lake Shinji boasts of being the seventh largest lake in Japan with a circumference of about 45 kilometers. It is a slightly salty brackish lake in which fresh water blends with seawater. The whitebait and shijimi shellfish which are caught in the lake are famous as a taste which is representative of Matsue. The sunset on Lake Shinji was also registered as one of the “Top 100 Sunsets of Japan”. The footpath which continues along National Highway Route 9 from Sodeshi Town to Yomeshimacho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture on the lakeshore of Lake Shinji has become the “Lake Shinji sunset spot”. As there is also a parking lot provided, we want you to take your time to enjoy the splendour of this scenery.

An ancient Shinto shrine standing on Cape Hinomi in Taisha Town, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture whose name is recorded as the “Misa Gisha” in the ancient text of the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki.” “Hinomisaki Shrine” is in fact the collective term for two shrines—the Hishizumi no Miya, dedicated to the goddess Amaterasu-omikami; and the Kami no Miya, dedicated to the god Susanoo-no-mikoto. The shrine (more specifically, the Hishizumi no Miya), famously protects Japan’s night, as opposed to Ise Jingu shrine, which protects Japan’s day. Must-see highlights include the red, two story granite torii gate and the honden main shrine building, built in the gongen-zukuri style and decorated with spectacular ornamentation outside and splendid images on its inner walls and ceilings.

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.

"This is a museum that displays the largest hourglass in the world. There is also a replica of a sand calendar, art works of sand objects as well as a science corner where there is a singing sand map of the world and sand samples from around the world. Many events are held and visitors can also experience glass craft. Many people visit on the 31st of December for the ""Time Festival"". "

This park is at the entrance of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine World Heritage. It has conveniences such as a gift shop, rest room, and parking lot. It features a model of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine.

A theme park dedicated to flowers and birds built in a hilly area overlooking Lake Shinji in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The park’s spacious grounds are dotted with four exhibition greenhouses, scenic overlooks, and other facilities; in addition, everything is connected via roofed galleries, ensuring visitors can enjoy themselves no matter the weather. Colorful flowers blossom in the flower greenhouse, such as Fuchsia and begonias, which remain in full bloom year round. Visitors can also see over 90 varieties of birds here, including owls, falcons, and penguins, and enjoy bird shows and bird feeding.

A winery which first became operation in 1986 in Taisha, a town famed for its production of greenhouse grapes. At this popular tourism destination, visitors can enjoy Shimane Wine and other local wine brands. The winery offers a free tour course conducted in its wine fermentation hall where visitors can view the winery’s wine fermentation tanks and production process. The wine’s sampling and shop hall sells wine, sweets, and other souvenirs, and there’s also a sampling corner where you can try around 10 varieties of wines and juices. The winery’s barbecue house, where you can enjoy Shimane wagyu beef together with wine, is also popular. The nearest station is Hamayamakoen-Kitaguchi Station.

The historic castle of the Amago clan, considered impregnable due to its size, was said to be one of the strongholds of the Warring States Period. In 2006 is was selected as one of the top 100 Castles in Japan. It is also famous as the castle where warlord Yamanaka Shikanosuke came from. There are also statues of Amago Tsunehisa and Shikanosuke in the grounds and it is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in the spring.

At this well-equipped facility visitors can view planned exhibitions and a planetarium. The astronomical observatory has a 60 cm reflex telescope and Coude type 20 centimeters refraction telescope, and astronomical observation sessions are held every Saturday night. Reservations are unnecessary and reception starts 30 minutes prior.

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.

This shrine, a prefecture designated cultural asset, is the largest built nationally using the Kasukabe-zukuri method. The enshrined deity is Umashimaji-no-Mikoto the first god of priesthood, fortune telling, charms and prayers. In the precincts is the main hall constructed with the Kasukabe method, tombstones, Kachi-ishi stones, Kusabi-ishi wedge shaped stones, Higashi Gosha (seven generations of gods), Sugami-jinja Shrine, and Otomi-jinja Shrine etc. There is plenty to see and do.

Senyakuto is an old style public bathhouse in the Yunotsu hot spring resort of Ohda City, Shimane Prefecture. Boasting a history of more than 1,300 years, day visitors can enjoy the hot spring water which has been used as a hot spring since long ago. There are three bathtubs in the bathhouse filled with yellowish brown hot water, each with a different temperature. Across the road is Chomeikan, an inn run by Senyakuto. It is a splendid Japanese-styled three storied building built for the benefit of visitors wishing to stay for a long period of time to take advantage of the therapeutic effects of the hot spring waters.

The largest Japanese garden surrounding a pond in the San’in region, which opened in 1975, is located on Daikonshima Island in a lake called Nakaumi (Middle Sea) in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. It is an idyllic garden of a simple and subdued refinement with its black pine, a waterfall, and Yukimi (snow viewing) lanterns in the center of the pond. It is famous for its peony and other seasonal flowers. In addition to the interior garden Peony Hall, where you can appreciate peony throughout the year, a Spring Peony Festival is held from late April to mid-May when about 20,000 trees of 250 species of peony color the garden. There are also places to eat and shops available. Goods using the special product Ginseng are popular.

The Ichibata Temple is a Rinzai Buddhist temple located in Kozakai Town, Izumo City. It is the chief temple of the Ichibata Yakushi school of Rinzai Buddhism. Praying at the Temple is said to help people recover from eye ailments, and the “Yakushi-sama of the Eyes” has attracted large numbers of worshippers for many centuries. The Ichibata Temple is also famous for its 1,300-step stone entrance stairway.

This is a history museum located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It exhibits materials highlighting the history of Izumo around the Izumo Taisha shrine, and the Iwami silver mine. This museum houses the 358 bronze swords, a national treasure, as well as bronze spearheads, and dotaku (a bell-shaped bronze vessel supposed to have been put to some ceremonial use) from the Kojindani ruins and 39 dotaku from the Kamoiwakura Ruins. The Uzu pillar groupings, thought to be from the Izumotaisha inner shrine dating back to mid-13th century and many other treasures are displayed. A miniature replica model of Izumotaisha inner shrine during the Heian period can be seen too. The museum also houses the Shinwa mythology theater, a cafe, and shop.