Ancient Japan Izumo

12/01/2025

Izumo Soba Noodles! 🥢

Soba noodles are made of buckwheat flour. Soba noodles can be eaten hot or cold. We will introduce you to the hot version today to keep you warm in winter: the Kamaage soba.

Noodles are served hot, in the broth used to boil them. The condiments and soba tsuyu sauce are served separately to let the customer choose their own seasonings. Condiments may vary depending on the restaurant, but most of the time you will be served spring onion, grated daikon, seaweed, dried bonito shavings, wasabi etc.

05/01/2025

New Year's Kadomatsu 🎍

Kadomatsu are pine and bamboo decorations placed at shrines and house entrances on New Year's Day.

In Japan, this is the day when the gods descend to earth, and the Japanese traditionally invite the deity of the year, Toshigami, into their homes.

Kadomatsu are set up to serve as landmarks for this deity when she visits homes, and to keep evil spirits out.

01/01/2025

2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake! 🐍

It is said that the Year of the Wood Snake will be a time of growth and fruitfulness for many people.

For some people, the results will be quick, they will start to see them during the year and they will even achieve great results.

However, the pace is not the same for everyone. The growth is different for each person, and it can also take time.

That's why 2025 will be the year when patience will be put to the test. It's important not to give in to impatience and to be very persistent. While keeping your own pace, if you keep moving forward steadily, you'll eventually get closer to the desired result.

Every year, Japanese people display ceramic lucky-charm ornaments of the zodiac animal of the year. You can buy them in a lot of shops or at some shrines.

We wish you a very Happy New Year, and hope to welcome you to Izumo in 2025!

明けましておめでとうございます！ Akemash*te omedetō gozaimasu! 🥳

25/12/2024

Video Video for World Expo 2025 🎞

The 2025 World Expo will be held in Osaka from April 13 to October 13. The theme is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.
Several videos are available on the event's Youtube channel to help visitors discover Japan's remote regions. Don't miss the video made by Izumo city↓

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLLszYOZe6M

出雲は、日本最古の歴史書「古事記」にも記述のある場所です。神話にまつわる場所も点在し、その独特な雰囲気はいつも訪れる人の心を捉えます。街を見渡せば歴史的な街並み、伝統に触れられる場所がいくつもあり、日...

22/12/2024

The Buddhist New Year ritual, Joya no kane 🔔

Around midnight on New Year's Eve, bells can be heard ringing all over Japan. This is a Buddhist tradition called Joya no kane. It is one of the most important rituals for temples in Japan.

The bells ring precisely 108 times. In Buddhism, it is believed that humans are prey to 108 "bonnō"; that is, worldly desires such as hatred, anger, and jealousy. The sound of the bells allows us to free ourselves from these 108 desires.

Ichibata Yakushi Temple is no exception. On New Year's Eve, the bell is rung from 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. All visitors can participate by ringing the bell once.

Ichibata Yakushi Temple
⏱ Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
📍Access: 10 mins by bus or taxi from Ichibataguchi Station. If you’re feeling athletic, a hike from the station will take approximately 1 hour by foot.
💰Admission: Free

15/12/2024

Izumo MiLight Illuminations 2024 ✨

Every December, Japan prepares for the Christmas season by setting up elaborate light displays across the country.

In Izumo, most of the illumination displays are located near Izumo-shi Station, but a special one called “MiLight Izumo” is being held in Dandan Square next to Izumo City Hall. This display is a collaboration between the Izumo Young Entrepreneurs Group and the Youth Department of Shimane Prefecture Electrical Work Industry Association.

This year, the theme is “connection”. The aim is to bring together every generation who comes to admire the illuminations, from children to the elderly. By strengthening the relationships between people and their region, between associations and local businesses, between schools and the students, and between everyone in Izumo, we hope that together they create strong bonds that represent the hope of a bright future for the region. We hope that these illuminations will help to achieve this goal.

🗓Dates: Every day from the 7th of December 2024 until the 17th of January 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
📍Place: Dandan Square, next to Izumo City Hall

08/12/2024

Izumo Under the Snow! ❄

As it’s almost winter and it's a good opportunity to introduce you to Izumo snowscapes!

Today, we share with you the pictures of the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, the Tachikuekyō Gorge and the Enya Shrine under the snow. Do not hesitate to enjoy a hot drink and make yourself comfortable under a blanket to watch them.

We wish you a wonderful holiday season!

01/12/2024

The ox and horse bronze statues in Izumo Taisha ✨

Just after passing through the bronze torii gate in front of the haiden of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, you will see statues of an ox and a horse on your left, which are said to be gods.

🐎 Locals call the horse “Kaneoma-san” (lit. “metal horse”). If you give it a stroke on the muzzle, you will be blessed with many children and easy deliveries.

🐂 If you give the ox a stroke on the head, you can expect to see your scholastic ability improve.

When visiting Izumo Taisha, take some time to give these two a pet! 🫳

27/11/2024

“The Metamorphosis of Antique Fabrics”
Mutsuko Yawatagaki’s Quilt Art 🪡

November 26 saw the opening of the exhibition “Mutsuko Yamatagaki, The Metamorphosis of Antique Fabrics” at Marubeni Gallery, Tokyo.

Including new works, there are no fewer than 24 pieces on display; many of them feature Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine or Izumo’s famous toki bird (Japanese crested ibis).

Usually, Ms. Mutsuko Yawatagaki exhibits her works, which are made of kimono cloth in a fusion of western and eastern handiwork styles, at the Izumo Museum of Quilt Art.

YAWATAGAKI MUTSUKO'S QUILT ART: The Metamorphosis of Antique Fabrics
🗓 Exhibition Period: November 26 to December 21, 2024
⏱ Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (reception closes at 16:30)
🗝 Closed: Sundays and national holidays
📍Place: Marubeni Gallery (Tokyo, Takebashi Station)
💰Admission Fee: 500 yen

#日本

24/11/2024

Izumo’s local dish, the Uzuni 🥢

Uzuni is a dish distributed during Fukujinsai festival, held at the end of January in Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. It is a traditional recipe passed down from generation to generation.

Stock made from fugu fish caught locally is thickened to kuzuko, or kudzu powder. Then, this stock is poured over rice to make a kind of porridge. Finally, nori seaweed, wasabi, and Japanese parsley are added on top. All that’s left then is to mix thoroughly and enjoy! All of these ingredients are mentioned in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki, published in 733CE. It is interesting to note that, for example, the Japanese parsley was used as a medicinal plant during that period.

Outside of the festival, there are not many places where you can enjoy this dish but the restaurant Kanunro located within a five-minute walk from Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, serves it.

17/11/2024

Tezen Museum 🏺

Opened in 1993, this museum near Izumo Taisha exhibits art and traditional crafts of the Izumo area inherited by the Tezen Family. Some of the items in their collection include paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, lacquerware, swords and tea utensils.

If you are interested in the tools and crafts that were used and appreciated in this particular area of Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) and after, then the Tezen Museum is a must-see for your trip!

In the permanent exhibition hall, the collection features art and crafts from the Izumo region: Rakuzan ware, Fujina ware (ceramic styles of Shimane) and lacquerware pieces by successive Shikkosai artisans. The feudal lord of Matsue, Lord Matsudaira, was a driving force in developing and promoting these local arts.

Name: Tezen Museum
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Last entry 4:30 p.m.)
Closed on Tuesdays
Admission: 800 yen [Free for Elementary, junior high school, and high school students]
Access: From Izumo-taisha mae Station, it takes 15 minutes by foot

#日本

10/11/2024

The Izumo Museum of Quilt Art 🪡

The Izumo Museum of Quilt Art stands in the peaceful countryside area of Hikawa in Izumo City and is, for now, the only of its kind in Japan.

The building is a 200-year-old traditional residence, where the quilt artist, Ms. Mutsuko Yawatagaki, exhibits her works, which are made of kimono cloth in a fusion of western and eastern handiwork styles. She arranges the display rooms and installations in accordance with the four seasons, creating a new exhibit 4 times a year.

The museum based its concept on expressing the spirit of Izumo and Japanese culture, by including the surrounding environment and displaying art in harmony with space.

Entrance fee: 700 yen
Matcha and Japanese sweet Set: 750 yen
Open from 10:00a.m. To 5:00p.m.
Closed on Wednesdays and the 3rd Sunday of the month (opened on holidays)

#日本

03/11/2024

Take a step back in time at the Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum! 🕰

The Honkisa family residence was built in 1735. The Honkisa family was a family of wealthy merchants who made their fortune through the manufacture of sake and the cotton trade. The Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum is a reconstruction of this family’s original house. After adding an exhibition hall, the museum opened in 1989.

On the second floor is a display of about 500 objects, including folk tools from the Meiji era to the early Showa era, cotton spinning wheels, and other things. Exhibitions are held several times a year in the exhibition hall located south of the main building.

The museum has a very nice dry landscape garden in the Izumo style, with stepping stones rising high enough above the ground so that the garden can be walked even when it is snowing.

Name: Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free for the main building (an admission fee is charged for exhibitions)
Access: From Unshu Hirata Station, it takes 5 minutes by bus or car

#日本

28/10/2024

The Mochi of the Gods, Izumo Zenzai 🥢

In Izumo, during the festival of the gods, kamiarisai, “jinzai mochi” (literally meaning “mochi of the gods”) was served to people waiting to visit shrines. It is said that “jinzai” was pronounced as “zunzai” in the Izumo dialect, and continued mutating to eventually become “zenzai.”

If you haven’t already tried zenzai, then maybe this special time of the year is a nice opportunity to have some “mochi of the gods?”

#日本

21/10/2024

The Ichibata Yakushi Temple Marathon 🏃

The Ichibata Yakushi Temple Marathon begins and ends at the top of Mount Ichibata. There are 2 courses, one of 5km and one of 10km but the main difficulty is the last kilometer before the finish were participants have to climb the stairs of the Ichibata Yakushi temple; 1138 steps, no less! Of course, while this makes the race physically demanding, it also makes it unique because it’s rare for races in Japan to send participants through stone stairs. This year, the race was held on October 27.

The race is also a good opportunity to visit Ichibata Yakushi Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple founded in 894 CE that offers a superb view of Lake Shinji and Mount Daisen. Normally, there is no need to climb all the stairs to get there because there is also a road for vehicles or, alternatively, you can reach the temple easily by bus in just a few minutes.

Name: Ichibata Yakushi Temple Marathon
Date: October 27, 2024 (Sun)
Starting time: 11 a.m.
Place: Ichibata Yakushi Temple
Access: Ichibata-guchi Station (Ichibata Line)

#日本

14/10/2024

Inome Dōkutsu, the cave connected to the other world…👻

Halloween is just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to talk about one of Izumo's legends!

Inome Dōkutsu Cave has also been called The Slope of Yomi or The Hole of Yomi. Since ancient times, the land of the dead has been called “Yomi.”

People believed that this cave was connected directly to” the other world”. In the Izumo-no-kuni Fudoki (a local history published in the 8th century CE) the following is written about the cave: “If you dream of entering this cave, you will surely meet certain death.”

Inome Dōkutsu Cave also appears as a location of the animated movie Child of Kamiari Month on Netflix!

#日本

07/10/2024

Izumo’s Sacred Seals 🖌

Do you know what a goshuin is? Goshuin are seals you can obtain from shrines and temples in Japan. They are proof that you have visited those sacred places and they make really beautiful souvenirs. You can find them in most of the shrines and temples, and every seal has a different design!

Main places offer them in Izumo, including:
✔ Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine
✔ Susa Jinja Shrine
✔ Nagahama Jinja Shrine
✔ Hinomisaki Jinja Shrine
✔ Ichibata Yakushi Temple
✔ Gakuenji Temple
✔ Mankusen Jinja Shrine

＃Japan　 　 　 　 　 ＃izumotaisha　＃seal

30/09/2024

Autumn maple leaves in Gakuenji temple 🍂

Gakuenji temple’s views are particularly well-appreciated during momiji season, when the maple trees’ leaves turn into autumnal tints. In general, the best time to see them is from mid to late November.

Located in the Hirata area of Izumo, Gakuenji is an ancient Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect, founded in the year 594 by the holy priest Chishun at Empress Suiko’s request. It is said that the priest prayed in front of Furou waterfall, which is located on the temple grounds, for the healing of the Empress’ eyes. The Empress’ eyes healed, and she ordered the construction of the temple to show her gratitude.

🍁 According to forecasts, the maple leaves should start to change color at the beginning of November in Izumo!

Temple name: Gakuenji
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Access: 35 mins by car from Izumo-shi Station.
25 minutes by bus from Ichibata Electric Railway Unshu Hirata Station to Gakuenji parking and 15 more minutes by foot to the temple.
Admission: 500 yen (adult), 300 yen (12-18 years), 200 yen (6-11 years)

#日本