Touring Mihonoseki, Connecting God, Sea, and People "Mihonoseki Official Tourist Guide" website is now available!

Matsue Tourism Association, Mihonoseki　Branch (Location: 661 Mihonoseki-cho, Matsue City, Shimane  Prefecture; Executive Director: Shuichi Adachi), which promotes tourism in  Mihonoseki has released the "Mihonoseki Official Tourist Guide," a  website for use in touring Mihonoseki.

Mihonoseki Official Tourist Website:  https://www.mihonoseki-kankou.jp/

What is Mihonoseki?

Mihonoseki is located at the eastern end of  the Shimane Peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the sea.

It is a sacred place where the gods of the “Kuni-yuzuri”  ("Myth of the Transfer of the Land") described in "Kojiki"  (“Records of Ancient Matters”) and "Nihon shoki" (“Chronicles of  Japan”) were enshrined. During the Edo period, it was a busy port of call for “Kitamae-bune”  (name given to ships sailing to the Sea of Japan). The area, which prospered  through trade and fishing, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in  Shimane Prefecture, full of nostalgic charm that conveys the atmosphere of a  bygone era.

Mihonoseki is a special place where you can  meet the gods of Izumo mythology, beautiful nature, and people who pass on  their traditions. Please visit our website to learn more about the charms of  Mihonoseki and visit this sacred land.

■  Features    

Visitors who access the website are first  greeted with a video featuring Mihonoseki's tourist attractions.

Then, to make it easier for visitors to use  the site as a means of touring around the area, we have built three model  courses as pillars of the site. The model courses connect four representative  tourist spots in Mihonoseki and introduce them together with recommended places  to visit in the surrounding area. These model courses are accompanied by maps.

    Model Course 1: Standard Course, Time required: about 2 hours    

This course starts from Miho Shrine, the  main shrine of the god Ebisu, and takes visitors around representative tourist  spots in Mihonoseki. You can enjoy the historical and emotional atmosphere of  the beautiful natural surroundings.

Representative Spot (1) Miho Shrine

Miho Shrine is an ancient shrine dedicated  to Kotoshironushi no Kami, also known as Ebisu. The main shrine is built in the  Miho-zukuri style, which is a unique two-tiered building, and is designated as  a National Important Cultural Property.

Representative Spot (2) Aoishidatami Street

The remains of a stone-paved path that once  led from Miho Shrine to Bukkoku-ji Temple. The nostalgic atmosphere created by  the stone pathway and the old townscape, which still retains its historic  charm, makes it an ideal spot for photography.

Representative Spot (3) Bukkoku-ji Temple

Bukkoku-ji is an old temple where a  nationally designated Important Cultural Property, a Buddhist statue, is  enshrined. The temple is also home to the tomb of Kichiza, a young man who was  the lover of Yaoya Oshichi (the daughter of a greengrocer who was burned at the  stake for attempting to commit arson). It is visited by many who pray for  protection against fire.

Representative Spot (4) Mihonoseki  Lighthouse

This white stone lighthouse stands 14  meters tall and is located 83 meters above the sea level. The view across Miho  Bay to Mt. Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region, Yumigahama Beach,  and the Oki Islands is magnificent.

Miho Shrine

Aoishidatami Street

Bukkoku-ji Temple

Mihonoseki Lighthouse

(2) Model Course 2: Shrines Course, Time  required: about 5 hours

The god Ebisu of Miho Shrine and the god Daikoku  of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, famous as the deity of marriage, are father and  son deities. This is a course to visit both shrines to pray for a good  marriage.

Representative Spot (1) Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine enshrines  Okuninushi Okami, known as the god of marriage. The magnificent main shrine,  designated as a national treasure, and the large “shimenawa” (sacred straw  rope) in the kagura-den (where music is offered to the god during ceremonies)  are highlights of the tour.

Representative Spot (2) Shimane Winery

This winery in Izumo produces a wide  variety of wines using locally grown grapes. Visitors can enjoy guided tours  and wine and juice tasting.

Representative Spot (3) Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle, National Treasure, is one of  the 12 original castle towers remaining in Japan. The view from the castle  tower is spectacular and you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons.

Representative Spot (4) Miho Shrine

(Description is omitted as it has already  been mentioned above)

(3) Model Course 3: Activity Course, Time  required: about 3 hours

This course allows you to enjoy marine  leisure activities such as swimming at spots along the coast facing the Sea of  Japan. The course passes through Shichirui Port, the gateway port to Oki, and  is a great place to enjoy nature to the fullest.

Representative Spot (1) Mihonoseki  Lighthouse

(Description is omitted as it has already  been mentioned above)

Representative Spot (2) Meteor Plaza

Meteor Plaza is a museum that permanently  houses the meteorite that fell in Mihonoseki. Visitors can relax in the bath or  sauna.

Representative Spot (3) Kayaking in Katae

At Katae in Mihonoseki, up to four people  can enjoy cruising by kayak at the same time. A guide will ride with you to  take you to spectacular rocky viewpoints and caves where beginners can usually not  go.

Representative Spot (4) Kitaura Beach

Kitaura Beach is one of the best beaches on  the Shimane Peninsula, with beautiful transparent water. There are west and  east beaches, and you can choose which beach to swim in depending on the wind  direction and wave conditions (waves are higher in north and east winds).

Meteo Plaza

Kayaking in Katae

Kitaura Beach

■  Mihonoseki Highlights    

Sunday, November 24th: Eastern Shimane  Peninsula National Park Ride 2024

This approximately 97.5-kilometer (short  course: 61 km) bike ride takes you around the Shimane Peninsula, which was  created by large-scale crustal movement.

You can enjoy the spectacular scenery and  local delicacies. (Registration is closed).

Tuesday, December 3rd: Morotabune Shinto Ritual

Along with the Aofushigaki Ritual in April,  Morotabune is a shinto ritual at Miho Shrine related to the myth of  Kotoshironushi no Kami ("Myth of the Transfer of the Land" described  in the Kojiki, “Records of Ancient Matters”). The heroic scene of the two boats  splashing water over each other at Mihonoseki Port is a sight to behold.

January 1st-3rd: “Hatsumode” at Miho Shrine

Hatsumode is the first shrine visit of the  New Year. Miho Shrine, the main shrine of Mihonoseki, invites you to join this  important Japanese tradition. 

Free parking and shuttle buses are  available.

For those seeking blessings for a good  marriage, be sure to visit both Miho Shrine and Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, two  of the most famous shrines associated with marriage.

January 6th-8th: Hatsu Ebisu Festival

The Hatsu Ebisu Festival is held at Miho  Shrine on the 7th of every month. Special charms and seal stamps are available  in January.

Eastern Shimane Peninsula National Park Ride

Morotabune Shinji 

■  Website    

Site name: Mihonoseki Official Tourist  Guide

URL: https://www.mihonoseki-kankou.jp/

 ■   About our association    

Trade name: Matsue Tourist Association,  Mihonoseki Branch

Representative: Shuichi Adachi, Executive  Director 

Location: 661 Mihonoseki, Mihonoseki-cho,  Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, 690-1501.

Business purpose: To promote the tourism  industry in Mihonoseki, and contribute to the revitalization of the local  community through tourism. As an organization that comprehensively promotes  tourism in Mihonoseki together with the local community, the Mihonoseki Branch  of Matsue Tourism Association conducts various projects, including the  attraction and promotion of tourists, promotion of tourism products and  culture, implementation of events, development of tourist attractions, and  collection and provision of information on tourism. The Mihonoseki Town Tourism  Committee is an organization that comprehensively promotes tourism in Mihonoseki  together with the local community. It also collects and provides information on  tourism.

URL: https://www.mihonoseki-kankou.jp/

For inquiries regarding this matter, please  contact

Matsue Tourism Association, Mihonoseki  Branch

TEL: 0852-73-9001

Inquiries: mihonoseki-k@mable.ne.jp

For inquiries regarding this press release,  please contact

Matsue Tourism Association, Mihonoseki  Branch

Contact: Shuichi Adachi, Executive Director

TEL :  0852-73-9001

FAX: 0852-73-9005

MAIL:  mihonoseki-k@mable.ne.jp