Best things to do in Shimane

Shimane's Absolute Essentials

Shimane Prefecture offers a journey through Japan’s ancient history and spiritual traditions. This selection includes Izumo Taisha, one of the nation's oldest Shinto shrines, and the neighboring Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, which displays significant archaeological finds and bronze artifacts. Explore the 17th-century Matsue Castle, one of Japan's few remaining original wooden keeps, and the atmospheric mountain ruins of Tsuwano Castle. The list also features Lake Shinji, the seventh-largest lake in Japan, renowned for its diverse brackish water ecosystem and sunset views over the water.