Izumo (出雲市) is a city in Shimane Prefecture with a population of around 150,000 people and a land area of 543.43km². It's located near Matsue.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site and an English-language guide site with different sets of contents.
Trains will get you to Izumo Taisha or out of the city, but otherwise bus, taxi or rental car will be your only option. There are 2 train companies in Izumo. The JR West Sanin Main Line and the Ichibata Electric Railway (一畑電車株式会社). The JR West Izumo Station is next to the Ichibata's Dentetsu Izumo Station. Ichibata has 2 lines, the Kita Matsue Line which runs for 33.9 km from Dentetsu Izumo Station to Matsue Shinji-ko Onsen Station in Matsue, and the Taisha Line which runs 8.3 km from Kawato Station (on the Kita Matsue Line) to Izumo Taisha-mae Station, near Izumo Taisha.
1 Izumo Taisha (出雲大社), 195 Kizuki-higashi, ☏ +81 853-53-3100. Although the date of construction is unknown, Izumo Taisha is regarded as one of the oldest shrines in Japan. In the Kojiki, the shrine is said to have been built for Ōkuninushi (god of marriage), who then became the shrine's patron deity. As the god of marriage is worshipped here, it is no surprise that Izumo Shrine is a popular shrine for couples to pray for happy marriages. Although the current shrine is quite large at about 25 meters tall, records suggest that it is only half the size it was 800 years ago. Every year in October, Shinto gods from all over are said to gather inside the shrine for one week.
1 Inasa Beach (稲佐の浜 Inasanohama). Beach with a rock where gods are said to gather. Enjoy the beach and the beautiful sunset. (updated Mar 2017)
Izumo soba (出雲そば), the local variety of noodles, is the region's most famous food, but the Shimane wagyu (beef) is good as well. 1 Shimane Winery (島根ワイナリー), ☏ +81 853-53-5577. Try the yakiniku (barbecue). Also offers free tours and wine tastings, though connoisseurs will likely be unimpressed. Hara (Go straight out the north exit of JR Izumo station and look for the purple banner on the right just past the Toyoko Inn.). A good selection of small dishes is available here in addition to soba. Good food with an interesting crowd of local patrons from construction workers to groups of young women out for a party. (updated Jun 2020)
Just northeast of Izumo Station is Daikancho, Izumo's drinking district. It's mostly "snacks" and hostess bars aimed at the older crowd, but there are a few venues for young people.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Sep, Izumo typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 21 rainy days.
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