Matsue, Izumo (Shimane)
Local Guide
6 Cute Souvenirs from Izumo and Matsue. ｜Staff/staff member's handpicked souvenir guide

Shimane Prefecture is a place where folk art and traditional crafts have taken root. In the Izumo-taisha area, miscellaneous goods with designs associated with mythology are popular as souvenirs, and in the Matsue area, crafts that reflect the craftsmanship of the castle town are popular as souvenirs. Here we introduce some of the best souvenirs from the Izumo and Matsue area that look cute and are uniquely Shimane.

<Recommended 6 souvenirs from Izumo and Matsue

Izumo Area

Matsue Area

<Hot spring ryokan to fully enjoy Shimane's culture

A specialty store with more than 100 types of red seal booklets to make shrine visits more enjoyable.

Shirube
Shirube" original red seal book from 1,650 yen

This specialty store offers more than 100 types of red seal impression books with a variety of designs. Since books cannot be bound by machine, they are all handmade by craftsmen. The vivid cloth and Japanese paper on which the books are made also make them appealing crafts.
One of the most popular items is the Shirube original series. The red background with the auspicious "Kano-musubi" (a knot that brings good luck) on it makes you want to keep it with you as your own personal good luck charm. The "Yakumono-zu" motif depicted in the main shrine of Izumo Taisha is popular among both men and women for its simple yet dignified design. Izumo's unique motifs, such as "katadama" and "hare," are also available. We hope you will experience the joy of finding a book of your choice from among the wide variety of designs. You can also buy one before visiting Izumo Taisha Shrine, since the shop is located on "Shinmon-dori," the main approach to Izumo Taisha Shrine.
In addition, we also sell goods that make great souvenirs, such as red seal book covers, drawstring bags for carrying them around, and paste boxes for storing them.

Shirube, a store specializing in red seal stamp books
  • Address Izumo Kizukiya, 1F, 772 Kizuki-Minami, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes walk from Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Dentetsu Line
  • Business Hours 10:00 - 17:00 (hours may vary depending on the season)
  • Closed No holidays
  • TEL 0853-31-4355
  • Parking None

A variety of items with rabbit motifs associated with Izumo Taisha Shrine!

Rabbit charms that seem to bring good luck are available for 770 yen each (tax included), and charm bags are available for 990 yen each (tax included).
Rabbit charms that seem to bring good luck are available for 770 yen each (tax included), and charm bags are available for 990 yen each (tax included).

If you are looking for a souvenir that is unique to Izumo and will bring you good luck in marriage, the souvenir shop "Esuko" located right in front of Izumo Taisha Shrine will meet your needs. The name of the store means "good condition" in Izumo dialect. The shop offers a large selection of items in the motif of a rabbit, which is said to be a messenger of the gods in Izumo.
The "Usa-mikuji," a fortune that comes out when you pull the string on your hip, contains advice on matchmaking and recommended specialties written in Izumo dialect. The lucky red-and-white "omamori (good luck charm) bag" is cushioned and tailored to hold a gradation gem or natural stone inside. It is also popular to put sand from "Inasa-no-hama" beach, the gateway to the 8 million deities, inside the bag to make it into a sand charm. All of these are original products available only at this store.

Esko
  • Address 841 Kinezuki-Minami, Taisha-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane MAP
  • Direction Approximately 7 minutes on foot from Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway Line.
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Izumo City Station and get off at "Shomon-mae (Izumo Taisha Shrine)" stop.
  • Hours of Operation 9:00-17:00 (may change depending on the season)
  • Closed Open all year round (temporary closures may occur depending on conditions)
  • TEL 0853-31-4035
  • Parking None

Good-luck charms that feel the warmth of wood and are a joy to display.

Rising Oriental Zodiac Signs
Rising Oriental Zodiac Signs" with each individual expression is 550 yen each.

A gallery and select store of craft works that has a unique presence on "Shinmon-dori," the main approach to Izumo-taisha Shrine. The store, housed in a renovated old wooden house, is filled with unique works of woodwork, glass, and tableware found in and outside of the prefecture, as well as exhibits by artists in the tatami gallery space.
The "Rising Zodiac Sign" is a small palm-sized zodiac sign that rises from the ground. The base is carved out on a wooden potter's wheel and painted with paints. Oriental zodiac signs are lucky charms that serve to welcome the "god of the year. The most popular is the zodiac sign of the year, but many people purchase a combination of their own and their family's zodiac signs as a souvenir.
The store also offers other items that enrich people's lives, such as accessories, tableware, and objects to decorate your space, making it a place you will want to visit every time you visit Izumo.

ANTWORKS GALLERY
  • Address 1342-8 Kinezuki-Minami, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 2 minutes walk from Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Dentetsu Line.
  • Hours of Operation 10:00-17:00
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • TEL 0853-53-2965
  • Parking 2 cars

Cute handicrafts that show off Matsue's specialties at a glance

Matsue shika
Matsue shika" 5-person set, each holding a Matsue specialty, 6,600 yen

The select store is located on the edge of the moat of Matsue Castle, a national treasure, in the "Matsue Gokoro" sightseeing complex space. The shop offers a wide variety of products from the Shimane region, including seasonings, teas, and other local specialties, as well as Iwami Kagura masks, Japanese paper accessories, and other items carefully nurtured by the Shimane climate.
One of the most eye-catching items in the store is Matsue's version of the Russian folk craft "Matryoshka," called "Matsueshka. Holding Matsue Castle, powdered green tea, Matsue's famous confectionery "Wakakusa" (Wakakusa is a Japanese green tea made from green tea and powdered green tea), a Japanese sakadama (a Japanese bead), and shijimi (dried sardines), the "Matsue-eska" is promoting Matsue's specialties. There is also a "Kaidan deer" depicting a biwa (a Japanese lute) from "Hoichi without ears," a "snow woman" and other characters from Koizumi Yakumo's book "Kwaidan, " and a "matsue deer" holding a rabbit and hearts for good luck. All of these dolls are made by a single artist living in Matsue City, so they may be sold out. You will have to wait until you visit to see which doll you can find.

Shimane no Iimono "Jigemon" (good things from Shimane)
  • Address 318 Kitabori-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane MAP
  • Direction 20 min. walk from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway Line.
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Matsue Station and get off at "Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Museum Mae".
  • Business hours Open 10:00-17:00
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 080-5756-4795
  • Parking 2 cars

Light and compact hand mirrors made of traditional Yakumo-nuri lacquerware

Red round mirror
Red round mirror "Goen Kagami" 3,850 yen (diameter 7.5cm), "Inadahime Kagami" 2,200 yen each (diameter 7.3cm, length 12.2cm), "Sakuranbo Enmochi Chopstick Rest" 1,650 yen for a pair

Yakumono-nuri" is a workshop and store established in 1890 (Meiji 23). Yakumo-nuri" is a unique type of lacquerware created by Heiichi Sakata, a painter in the service of the Matsue Clan in the early Meiji period (1868-1912), using techniques from Japan and other countries. Yakumo-nuri is characterized by the use of "suki-urushi" lacquer over the painted surface, which becomes more transparent with age, and the patterns emerge more vividly. Tea sets, sake cups, trays, and other items made in the workshop on the second floor of the store are highly valued as works of art and are designated as "Shimane Prefecture's Hometown Traditional Crafts.
The most popular item among young women is the lightweight and compact wooden round mirror "Goen Kagami". The elegant patterns of rabbits, camellias, and gradient balls painted by hand in natural lacquer are elegant, and the unique moistness of the lacquer feels comfortable in the hand. Mirrors are also known as charms to ward off evil and misfortune, as they reflect evil and misfortune, and are recommended to be worn as a good-luck charm. In addition to a tour of the workshop (available at any time), visitorscantry their hand at painting (3,850 yen, reservation required) on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Yakumonuri-Yamamoto (Yamamoto Lacquerware Store)
  • Address 45 Suetsugu Honmachi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes walk from JR Matsue Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Matsue Station and get off at Ohashi Kitazume bus stop.
  • Business hours 9:00-19:00
  • Regular holiday January 1-3
  • TEL 0852-23-2525
  • Parking None

Modern tableware that fits on your dining table 365 days a year

Flat plates (front left) with attractive designs that suit both Japanese and Western cuisine (3,300 yen), Soba-no-inokuchi buckwheat noodle cups (2,090 yen), etc.
Flat plates (front left) with attractive designs that suit both Japanese and Western cuisine (3,300 yen), Soba-no-inokuchi buckwheat noodle cups (2,090 yen), etc.

The kiln was established in 1877. The fifth generation of the kiln's current owner has continued to improve the design and size to suit modern homes and lifestyles, as well as to carry on the traditional techniques of the kiln. The kiln is now in its fifth generation.
Sodeshigama's pottery, including the vertical stripe and lattice patterns using light blue and bright ochre glazes, is simple yet moderately gorgeous and matches any kind of food. Sode-shi Kiln has many fans both inside and outside of Shimane Prefecture, and has established itself as one of the representative kilns of Shimane Prefecture. There is a full lineup of products that can be easily purchased, such as soba inokuchi (buckwheat noodle bowls) that can be used as small bowls, and small plates with a wide variety of patterns. Why not buy them as souvenirs for your home or for your friends?

Sodeshigama (Sodeshi Kiln)
  • Address 3-21 Sodeshi-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 18 min. walk from JR Matsue Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Matsue Station and get off at "Sodeshi-cho" bus stop.
  • Hours of Operation 9:00-17:30
  • Closed Sunday
  • TEL 0852-21-3974
  • Parking Free of charge
Recommended Traditional Japanese Sweets from Matsue

Did you know Matsue is actually one of Japan’s leading destinations for traditional Japanese sweets? Discover authentic wagashi cultivated by the history of Matsue, a renowned tea-producing region.

Exquisite Gourmet Souvenirs from Izumo and Matsue

Be sure to check these out along with our other goods! We’ve carefully selected delicious, exquisite souvenirs recommended by our local staff members that are sure to delight anyone you give them to.

After a day of sightseeing, how about relaxing at a hot spring inn where you can enjoy the culture of Shimane, known as the "Land of Myths"?

Guest rooms with Outdoor hot spring to enjoy the historic "God's hot water

Tamatsukuri Hot Spring, known since ancient times as a hot spring for beautiful skin
Tamatsukuri Hot Spring, known since ancient times as a hot spring for beautiful skin

It takes about 20 minutes by car from Matsue. This hot spring ryokan is located in Tamatsukuri hot spring in Izumo, the Land of the Gods, and all rooms have an outdoor hot spring. Guests can enjoy not only the Public hot spring but also the Guest room Outdoor hot spring, which is famous as a hot spring for beautiful skin and has a long history as recorded in the "Izumo Province Fudoki" (Record of Fudoki).
You can experience Izumo culture, which is rooted in the region, such as the tea ceremony and tatara iron manufacturing, at every corner of your stay.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri
  • Address 1237 Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes drive from JR Tamatsukuri hot spring station

An inn where you can immerse yourself in a spectacular view and mythology in preparation for a pilgrimage

The high salt content of the hot spring is recommended as a
The high salt content of the hot spring is recommended as a "misogi-yu" to purify the body and mind before paying a visit to Izumo Taisha Shrine.

Izumo Taisha Shrine is about 15 minutes away by car. The location overlooking the Sea of Japan allows you to have the sunset and sunrise views all to yourself.
After refreshing yourself in the strong salt hot spring that warms you from the inside out, you can watch the powerful "Iwami Kagura" performance that is held every night. This is a special stay where you can learn about the origins of Izumo while toning your heart and soul.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Izumo
  • Address 604 Himizaki, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 35 min. by car from JR Izumo City Station

MAP

Izumo Area
Matsue Area
<Hot spring ryokan to fully enjoy Shimane's culture
Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.