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Over View
Shimane Prefecture is situated in the south-west of Honshu (main island). Bordering on Tottori Prefecture to the east, Yamaguchi Prefecture to the west, Hiroshima Prefecture to the south, and facing onto the Japan Sea to the north, Shimane also includes the Oki Islands that lie between 40 and 80 kilometers north of the coast. Shimane is divided into 3 areas, "Iwami", "Izumo" and "Oki" which are the names of the earlier provinces. |
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Shimane has various kinds of myths. There is a mountain named Mt. Sanbe which is located in the IWAMI area, almost in the middle of Shimane pref. It has the famous myth "Kunibiki-shinwa(Legend of land pulling)". |
Oda Area
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The administration and economy of IWAMIGINZAN(silver mine) was managed in Omori town. The rows of old houses(samurai's, town houses, shrines and temples)leave an image of those days. | ||
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The Gonokawa River is the largest river in the Chugoku area and is nicknamed Ťhugoku Taro. The river flows through almost through the center of the Chugoku Mountain Range and empties into the Sea of Japan.
The catchment stretches over the prefectures of Hiroshima and Shimane covering an area of approximately 3,900 km2 (2,640 km2 in Hiroshima and 1,260 km2 in Shimane), and its total main channel length is 194.0 km.
The source of the river is on Mt. Asa in Kitahiroshima town of Hiroshima Prefecture.
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Iwami Silver Mine Site A silver mine whichi filled the coffers of the Tokugawa Shogunate for about 300 years. At its peak, 200,000 people are said to have joined the silver rush, but with the passing of time the silver mine now spends its days quietly. Horizontal underground?corridors known as ÅÎabu are open to the public, the strikes of countless chisels remaining in the walls as a vivid reminder of the prosperous past. In November 2000 the mine site was proposed for the UNESCO World Heritage list. | ||
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Ryugenjimabu There are about 540 mine shafts and galleries called "Mabu" in the area, but Ryugenji Mabu is the only mabu open to the public. It was developed in 1715 and closed in 1943 after about 230 years' operation. 156 meters of the original tunnel is now open to the public. The part of Ryugenji Mabu that you can enter is a so-called main street, from which galleries and shafts spread in all directions like an anthill. It was originally 600m long, but 150 meters in from the entrance it is blocked off keeping you from going further. To exit you use a branch tunnel dug recently. The average temperature inside the mabu is around 16 or 17 degrees. It is warm in the winter and cool in the summer in here. What we emphasize most to visitors is to look at the traces of chiseling on the walls and imagine or think about what kind of hardships the miners had in those days. |
Hamada Area
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THE RUINS OF HAMADA CASTLE The castle was built in 1620, and destroyed in the violent disturbances accompanying the final days of the Tokugawa Shogunate.Now, shrouded in thickets and old stone'walls, it recalls a by-gone age, the moss-covered ruins are a great place for a walk. In the spring, it is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. | ||
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Sekisyu-washi Sekisyu Washi has a long history spanning 1300 years, and was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1969.The techniques and methods of making this type of paper have been completely preserved by craftspeople in Misumi Town. To ensure even further improvement of the art, Sekishu Washi Cooperative was established, and in 1989 Sekishu washi was designated a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry. | ||
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Shimane Aquarium "AQUAS" The biggest aquarium in the Central Japan and Shikoku region. Featuring 10,000 living marine specimens covering 400 species, including the beluga whale. Near AQUAS lies Iwami Seaside Park, complete with trailer sites and a beautiful sea for the enjoyment of marine sports. |
Masuda Area
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The Takatsugawa River originates in Muikaichi-town which is located in the Chugoku Mountain Region that is the boundary of Shimane Prefecture. The river changes its course northward and flows through Muikaichi-town, Kakinoki-village, and Nichihara-town, and then joins the largest tributary, Hikimigawa River, in Yokota of Masuda City. The river further flows through Masuda City and finally empties into the Sea of Japan.
The river has a catchment area of 1,090 km2 and a total main channel length of 81 km. The shape of the catchment is like the wing of a bird, stretching 44 km in a north-south direction and 40 km in an east west direction. The catchment area occupies approximately 16% of the entire Shimane Prefecture. Its overall topography is a steep mountainous region with very little flat land. |
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Artists having relation with Msuda city Sessyu(1420-1506): A well-known monk as an artist of zen art. There is the memorial hall of Sesshu in Masuda city. Mori Ogai(1862?1922): A famous nevelist. |
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Situated at the westernmost end of Shimane, the castle town of Tsuwano is referred to as the little Kyoto of the Sanin region. About 700 years ago a mountain castle was built in Tsuwano, from which time the surrounds flourished as a castle town. The streets remain steeped in the rich atomosphere of the time, possessing a pastoral, nostalgic charm which draws endless visitors. Canals in which schools of carp swim gently by iris blossoms and samurai houses hidden behind white walls are symbols of Tsuwano. Must-see places and events Taikodani-inari Shrine, the graceful and dreamlike ritual of Ç´agimai",the heron dance, which takes place in July, and the SL Railway between Tsuwano and Shinyamaguchi(Operates between Mar.-Nov.). |