Happy TravellerWelcome to Izumo, a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. This charming city is known for its delicious Izumo soba noodles and the Izumo-taisha Shinto shrine, the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan. But there’s so much more to discover in Izumo!
History buffs will love exploring the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, which houses artifacts from the Izumo Taisha shrine. In 2009, archaeologists discovered the oldest stone tools ever found in Japan at the Sunabara Remains in Taki-chō, Izumo City, dating back an estimated 120,000 years.
For those interested in architecture, the ancient cluster of tombs to the south of the station is a must-see. The largest Tumulus style tomb within the Izumo region is located behind the Dainenji Temple and is believed to have been constructed in the 6th century with highly sophisticated construction methods for the time.
Nature lovers will appreciate the Takase River, a canal that runs through the center of Izumo. The canal was constructed by developer Okaji Shichibei in 1670 and was the first canal ever constructed in the then-Matsue domain. The area became an important region for the growing of rice and grain in the Matsue area thanks to Okaji’s developments.
Sports fans will want to check out the Izumo Dome, Japan’s largest wooden building at 49 meters high and 143 meters in diameter. It’s used for sports and events such as baseball games and soccer matches, as well as for other events including sumo. The Hinomisaki Lighthouse is another must-see attraction. This modern stone lighthouse has a powerful lamp and offers stunning views of the Oki Islands.
Wine enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Shimane Winery, known for its super-sweet wines. And for those looking to relax, Kirara Taki Beach is located in Taki, one of the towns merged into Izumo in 2005. The beach has clean water and off-shore stacks of concrete tetrapods to break the waves. Nearby is an onsen called Marine Thalasso Izumo.
The Okuizumo Museum of Tatara and Sword-making features demonstrations twice a month, switching off every two weeks: one demonstration shows smithing techniques, while the other is a usage demonstration. The Izumo Handicraft Museum is set in a traditional Japanese workshop complex.
Izumo has a humid subtropical climate with very warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year. The average annual temperature in Izumo is 14.9 °C (58.8 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,675.0 mm (65.94 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.4 °C (79.5 °F), and lowest in February, at around 4.8 °C (40.6 °F).
As of 2017, the total population of Izumo is 172,039 and the area of the new city of Izumo is 624.36 km². Izumo is serviced by two rail networks, the JR West Sanin Main Line and the private Ichibata Electric Railway. There is one airport inside the city of Izumo, Izumo Airport, located in the former town of Hikawa.
Come visit Izumo and discover all the hidden gems this city has to offer!
