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The Sacred Land of Izumo

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > The Sacred Land of Izumo

A spiritual realm of guardian gods, beautiful shores, and stunning sunsets

Izumo City

Izumo in the north of Shimane Prefecture is often called the birthplace of Japan, an area associated with ancient myths recorded in Japan’s oldest texts. Along its western shores, two areas—Inasa no Hama Beach and Hinomisaki Cape—offer magnificent views of the sunset, each with a nearby shrine related to Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun.

Legend has it that the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, also known as Ame no Hisumi no Miya (the sunset shrine), was once a palace built near Inasa no Hama Beach. It was constructed for Okuninushi, the guardian god of happiness, who wanted a palace tall enough to reach the land of the gods in exchange for relinquishing his rule of Earth to Amaterasu’s son. The Hinomisaki Shrine, also dedicated to the sunset, enshrines the spirits of Amaterasu and her brother Susanoo, the guardian deity of sea and storms.

Together, the two shrines and their shore locations have become sacred spots for locals to pray at, with awe-inspiring views of the setting sun.

How to get there

Hinomisaki Shrine: It is approx. 1 hour from Haneda Airport to Izumo Enmusubi Airport. Take an Ichibata Bus to Izumo-shi Station (20 minutes), then another Ichibata Bus bound for Izumo-taisha Shrine, Cape Hino (1 hour). Get off at Cape Hino. Alternatively, approx. 30 minutes by car using the Sanin Expressway Izumo Interchange (IC).

Inasa no Hama Beach: 40 minutes by bus from JR Izumo-shi Station.

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine: Approx. a 10-minute walk from Izumotaisha-Mae Station on the Ichibata Electric Railroad. Alternatively, take the Ichibata Bus (bound for Izumo-taisha or Izumo-taisha/Hinomisaki) from JR Izumo-shi Station. Get off at Izumo-taisha bus stop.

Note: Hinomisaki Shrine is a 20-minute drive to the northwest from Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. It is a beautiful ocean-view drive.

Hinomisaki lighthouse: 1478 Hinomisaki, Taisha-cho, Izumo-shi , Shimane ken