Matsue/Izumo (Shimane)
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[Shimane/Matsue] From famous shrines on par with Izumo Taisha to hidden gems! 5 power spots for a mature girls' trip.

Shimane Prefecture is where gods from all over the country gather in the 10th lunar month. When it comes to power spots, Izumo Taisha is famous, but there are many historic shrines deeply connected to mythology. In particular, Matsue City is dotted with attractive spots that are too good to pass by, including famous places for matchmaking and shrines that boast a status on par with Izumo Taisha. Since you have come to the "sacred land of matchmaking," we have carefully selected some lesser-known power spots that you should definitely visit when you go to Shimane Prefecture.

A rare shrine dedicated to a married couple of deities. Visit this "sacred site for matchmaking" where legends dwell.

The main deities enshrined are Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Inatahime, and the blessings include matchmaking, marital harmony, and safe childbirth.
The main deities are Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Inatahime, and the blessings include matchmaking, marital harmony, and safe childbirth.

Are you familiar with the Japanese myth of the "Yamata no Orochi"? It is the story of "Susanoo-no-Mikoto" defeating a giant serpent with eight heads and eight tails to save "Inatahime." They later became a married couple and built a palace in this land, which is why it is known as one of the premier sacred sites for matchmaking in the prefecture.
Deep within the shrine grounds is the "Sakusame no Mori" forest, where it is said that Susanoo-no-Mikoto hid Inatahime. The connection to mythology is deep, making it a power spot you must visit if you are sightseeing with a wish for a good match.

Divination for good relationships at the "Mirror Pond" located in a setting from mythology.

The "Kagami no Ike" (Mirror Pond) is said to have been used by Inatahime as drinking water and a mirror when she took refuge.
The "Mirror Pond," said to have been used by Inatahime as a source of drinking water and a mirror during her evacuation.

After visiting the shrine, pick up a "Mirror Pond divination paper" (100 yen) at the amulet office and head to "Sakusame no Mori." Try the matchmaking divination at the "Mirror Pond" located at the end of the path through the thicket. Float the paper on the pond, gently place a 10-yen or 100-yen coin on it, and make your wish.
Words will then appear on the paper, so be sure to read them carefully. It is said that if the paper sinks within 15 minutes, a good match will come soon, and if it does not sink for over 30 minutes, you are still far from a match. Furthermore, if it sinks near you, it is said that you will have a connection with someone close by, and if it sinks far away, you will have a connection with someone from a distant place.

Yaegaki Shrine
  • Address227 Sagusa-cho, Matsue City, Shimane PrefectureMAP
  • AccessApprox. 11 minutes by car from JR Matsue Station
  • Bus accessTake a bus from JR Matsue Station South Exit, get off at "Yaegaki Jinja" and walk for about 1 minute
  • Business hours[Amulet Office and Treasure Hall] 8:30–17:30
    *Dec–Feb 9:00–17:00
  • ClosedOpen every day
  • Admission FeeFree admission *Mirror Pond divination paper: 100 yen each
  • TEL0852-21-1148
  • ParkingAvailable

A power spot in a hot spring town featuring a "Wish Stone."

It is said that the sacred "Wish Stone" suddenly appeared from the mountain long ago, and the villagers at the time enshrined it at the shrine.
It is said that the sacred "Wish Stone" suddenly appeared from the mountain long ago, and the villagers at the time enshrined it at the shrine.

The location is Tamatsukuri Onsen, the most popular hot spring town in Shimane Prefecture. This shrine, where the guardian deity of Tamatsukuri is enshrined, is a spiritual spot that houses the "Negai-ishi" (Wish Stone), which is said to grant wishes.
After receiving a "Kanai-ishi" (Wish-Granting Stone) at the shrine office near the entrance of the approach, complete your prayers at the worship hall and head to the "Negai-ishi," the sacred object. Gently touch the "Kanai-ishi" you received to it and make your wish in your heart. You can take the "Kanai-ishi," now imbued with power from the sacred object, home with you as an amulet.

Take home the "Kanai-ishi" (wish stone) in an amulet bag.

The "Kanai-ishi" (Wish-Granting Stone) (600 yen) available at the shrine office comes as a set with the stone, a wish card, and an amulet bag. The pattern on the bag is a surprise until you open it.
The "Kanai-ishi" (Wish Stone) (600 yen) available at the shrine office comes as a set with a wish stone, a wish slip, and an amulet bag. The pattern on the bag is a surprise until you open it.

Write your wish on the two-part "Negai-fuda" (Wish Slip), place one in the box in front of the worship hall, and keep the other in the amulet bag along with the empowered "Kanai-ishi." The chief priest will convey the wishes on the slips placed in the box to the enshrined deity. It is said that many people return to the site once their wish is granted to return the stone to the shrine and receive a purification ritual again.
Tamatsukuri Onsen, where the shrine is located, is a famous hot spring also known as the "Hot Spring of the Gods" and "Skin-Beautifying Hot Spring" due to the excellent quality of its water. There are also spots nearby where you can draw hot spring water for free, so be sure to stop by when you visit.

Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine
  • Address508 Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane PrefectureMAP
  • AccessApprox. 6 minutes by car from JR Tamatsukuri-Onsen Station
  • Business hoursOpen for worship at any time
    Shrine office 9:00–12:00, 13:00–17:00; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 8:30–17:00
  • ClosedOpen every day
  • Admission FeeFree admission, Kanai-ishi (wish stone) 600 yen
  • TEL0852-62-0006
  • ParkingFree

The main hall, designated as a National Treasure, is a must-see. An ancient shrine dedicated to the ancestor of the gods.

Features of the oldest Taisha-zukuri style in Japan, such as thick pillars, high underfloors, and munamochi-bashira (ridge-supporting pillars) protruding outward, can be seen throughout.
Features of the oldest Taisha-zukuri style in Japan, such as thick pillars, high floor joists, and munamochi-bashira (ridge-supporting pillars) that protrude outward, can be seen throughout.

Nestled quietly in the suburbs of Matsue City is an ancient shrine dedicated to the married deities who are the "parents of the gods." The main deities are "Izanami no Okami" and "Izanaki no Okami," known as the creators of Japan, and the blessings include marital harmony, conception, safe childbirth, matchmaking, and prosperity in business and industry.
The main highlight is the magnificent main hall, which is designated as a National Treasure. It is said to be the oldest existing Taisha-zukuri style shrine building, and the richly colored murals inside the main hall are also a must-see.

A shrine standing quietly in a forest filled with divine energy.

Because the Izumo Provincial Government was nearby, it is believed to have been the center of ancient Izumo, and there are many burial mounds in the area around the shrine.
Because it was near the Izumo Provincial Government, it is believed to have been the center of ancient Izumo, and there are many burial mounds in the area around the shrine.

A shrine stands quietly in the middle of a tranquil forest. Once you pass through the first torii gate from the approach, you can feel a dignified divine presence in the silence. After purifying your hands at the moss-covered chozuya, you will find the main hall at the top of about 50 stone steps. The slope is a bit steep, so if you find it difficult to climb, choose the "Onnazaka" (women's slope), which has a gentler incline.
Nearby, there are facilities such as "Izumo Kanbe no Sato," an experiential facility where you can learn about the folklore and crafts of the San'in region, and the "Yakumo-tatsu Fudoki no Oka Exhibition and Learning Center," which displays excavated artifacts from ancient Izumo and manuscripts of the Izumo-no-kuni Fudoki, both of which are recommended to visit before or after your shrine visit.

Kamosu Shrine
  • Address563 Oba-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 15 minutes by car from JR Matsue Station
  • Bus accessTake the Matsue City Bus from JR Matsue Station, get off at "Kanbe no Sato," and walk for 3 minutes
  • Business hours24 hours
  • ClosedOpen every day
  • Admission FeeFree admission
  • TEL0852-21-6379
  • ParkingAvailable

A grand shrine that is the "Ichinomiya of Izumo Province," comparable to Izumo Taisha.

The vermilion Yakumo Bridge spans the Iu River flowing in front of the shrine, creating a beautiful harmony with nature.
The vermilion Yakumo Bridge spans the Ou River flowing in front of the shrine, creating a beautiful harmony with nature.

When it comes to shrines in Shimane Prefecture, Izumo Taisha is famous, but in fact, an ancient shrine that stands on par with it as the "Ichinomiya of Izumo Province" is located in the suburbs of Matsue City. The enshrined deity is none other than "Susanoo-no-Mikoto," and the blessings include bountiful harvests, financial luck, success in love, and matchmaking.
The shrine grounds feature a worship hall with an eye-catching large shimenawa (sacred straw rope), a dance hall used for dedicating dances, and the beautiful thatched-roof Sankaden hall. Because it gets plenty of sunlight, it is also said to be a "spiritual spot with strong positive energy." If your schedule allows, be sure to visit on a sunny morning.

Kumano Taisha, considered the birthplace of fire.

The "Sanka-den" hall with its thatched roof. It is a precious structure with walls made of cypress bark.
The "Sanka-den" hall has a thatched roof. It is a valuable structure with walls made of cypress bark.

The enshrined deity, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, is the god who taught the "drill method" of making fire. Kumano Taisha is also known as "Hinomoto Hidezome no Yashiro" and is considered the birthplace of fire.
The "Sanka-sai" (Fire-Drilling Festival) is held every year on October 15th, during which the "Kametayu Shinji" ritual takes place, where the chief priest of Izumo Taisha comes to receive the tools for making fire. Kumano Taisha has a deep connection with Izumo Taisha and offers blessings for love and financial luck. Since "Yaegaki Shrine" is also nearby, it is a good idea to visit both.

Kumano Taisha Shrine
  • Address2451 Kumano, Yakumo-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 40 minutes by car from JR Matsue Station
  • Business hours[Shrine office] 8:30–16:30
    [Prayer] 9:00–16:00
    [Worship] 24 hours
  • ClosedOpen every day
  • Admission FeeFree admission
  • TEL0852-54-0087
  • ParkingAvailable

A hidden power spot connecting the afterlife and the present world.

The location is in the suburbs of Matsue City. A mysterious atmosphere drifts through this legendary site, found deep in the mountains up a slope from the national highway.
The location is in the suburbs of Matsue City. A mysterious atmosphere drifts through the legendary site, which is deep in the mountains up a slope from the national highway.

This is the legendary site of "Yomotsu Hirasaka," which is considered the boundary between the afterlife (the land of Yomi) and the world of the living in mythology. Amidst the silence, several rocks modeled after the "Chibiki no Iwa" (the thousand-pulling rock) create a mystical atmosphere.
It is said that the male deity Izanagi-no-Mikoto traveled through Yomotsu Hirasaka to visit the land of Yomi to see his late wife, Izanami-no-Mikoto, but was shocked by her transformed appearance and blocked the entrance to the land of Yomi with the Chibiki no Iwa. Thinking that the entrance to the afterlife lies beyond the rocks, one can feel a mysterious power that gives you goosebumps.

Is it actually the strongest!? Is Yomotsu Hirasaka the place where mythology began?

On-site, there is also a mailbox called "Letters to Heaven" where you can post letters to those who have passed away.
There is also a mailbox called "Letters to Heaven" on site where you can post letters to deceased loved ones.

It is said that when Izanagi-no-Mikoto returned from the land of Yomi and performed misogi (purification) to wash away the impurities, Amaterasu-Omikami was born from his left eye, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto from his right eye, and Susanoo-no-Mikoto from his nose, giving birth to the "Three Noble Children" who would later play active roles in the world of mythology.
In other words, Yomotsu Hirasaka can be considered the roots of mythology, and there is even a theory that the land of Yomi, or "Ne no Kuni," is the origin of the place name "Shimane." Although it is a hidden gem, it is a famous spot that potentially ranks among the best power spots in the prefecture.

Yomotsu Hirasaka
  • Address2376-3 Iya, Higashiizumo-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 20-minute walk from JR Iya Station
  • TEL0852-55-5840 (Regional Promotion Division, Higashiizumo Branch, Matsue City)
  • ParkingAvailable

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
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