Shoko Takayasu ©
Exploring Izumo City
A Three‑Day Journey into Izumo:
Where the Roots of Sumo and
the Breath of the Gods Endure
To Izumo, the Homeland of Sumo and Myth
Izumo is the land where the Kuni‑yuzuri legend recounts the contest of strength between the gods—an origin story of Sumo. The stage of these tales, Inasa no Hama, the Izumo Kagura that still performs these ancient stories, and the shrine dedicated to Nomi no Sukune, the deity of Sumo, all remain quietly alive today.
Its closeness is part of the charm: just a 45‑minute flight from Osaka Itami Airport. Step off the plane and you are already in the realm of myth. Over three days, trace the roots of Sumo and the spiritual landscape that has shaped the Japanese sensibility for centuries.
Photo provided by KAI Izumo
FEATURE
Photo provided by KAI Izumo
Shoko Takayasu ©
Encounter the True Japan, Where People Live with the Gods
Izumo Taisha is traditionally regarded in Shinto as the place where the deities from across Japan gather. From the coastline to the mountains, the dynamic landscapes described in the land‑forming legends remain visible today. Izumo Kagura continues to pass down these ancient stories, offering prayers for good harvests and well‑being.
Even now, people quietly offer prayers to the setting sun. In these gestures, one can sense the origins of the Japanese spirit—an enduring belief in unseen connections and the presence of the divine woven into everyday life.
Photo provided by KAI Izumo
In Izumo, the cultural life nurtured by ordinary people continues to thrive. Along the historic Cotton Road, once a bustling center for cotton distribution, white‑walled merchant houses and soy sauce breweries still carry on their work today. At Shussai‑gama, a pottery studio rooted in the mingei tradition that values the beauty found in everyday objects, the craft of creating simple, warm, and quietly expressive vessels has been passed down through generations.
Izumo offers not only the stories of the gods, but also the chance to encounter the aesthetic sensibilities woven into daily life. This depth—where myth and the beauty of ordinary living coexist—is one of the region’s most compelling qualities.
Shoko Takayasu ©
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HIGHLIGHT
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHT
Tracing the Roots of Sumo and Sensing Japan’s Spiritual Heritage
Begin your journey with a visit to Izumo Taisha, greeting the deity of good relationships. After paying respects at Nomi no Sukune Jinja, dedicated to the ancestral figure of Sumo, stroll along Shinmon‑dori, the lively street stretching out from the grand torii gate.
Enjoy local specialties such as Izumo soba and zenzai, then head to Inasa no Hama, the legendary stage where the gods once tested their strength. Continue along the dramatic coastline to Hinomisaki, a celebrated spot for sunsets, and offer a quiet prayer as the sun sinks into the sea.
In the evening, relax at an oceanfront inn, savoring a performance of Kagura and the fresh seafood of the Sea of Japan.
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHT
Where Myth Lives in the Landscape and Craft Reveals the Warmth of Everyday Life
Explore Hinomisaki, one of Izumo’s most striking scenic spots, where sheer cliffs along the Sea of Japan face a white lighthouse and a vivid vermilion shrine. Continue your drive along the coastline, taking in views shaped by the Kunibiki legend, and pause at a charming ocean‑view café for a relaxing lunch.
In the afternoon, discover Izumo’s gentle, down‑to‑earth craftsmanship through a hands‑on craft experience. After enjoying a chanko hotpot dinner prepared with a recipe passed down from sumo wrestlers, unwind in the hot springs at an inn nestled near Izumo Taisha—an ideal way to restore your energy for the journey ahead.
DAY 3 HIGHLIGHT
A Morning of Prayer, Followed by a Town Steeped in Everyday Tradition
Begin the day in the serene early‑morning atmosphere of Izumo Taisha, cleansing your spirit with a quiet visit. Then head to Ichibata Yakushi, an ancient Buddhist temple, to experience another dimension of Japan’s tradition of prayer.
Continue to Cotton Road, a historic district that preserves the townscape of the Edo period. Enjoy a lunch featuring local ingredients, then take a leisurely walk through streets filled with the scents of soy sauce breweries and sake makers that are still in operation today.
Conclude your journey at Umi Jinja, known for prayers of “cutting ties and forming new ones,” offering a wish for good connections ahead. As you reflect on the myths of Izumo and the lives of the people who carry its traditions forward, your trip comes to a meaningful close.
Photo provided by KAI Izumo
Into
Izumo
City
Photo provided by KAI IzumoTOUR PLAN
11:00
Arrive at Izumo Airport
After getting settled, begin your journey through Izumo, a region known for its deep cultural traditions and historic landscapes.
Facility Information
Izumo Taisha
195 Kizuki‑Higashi, Taisha‑cho, Izumo, Shimane 699‑0701
Tel: 0853-53-3100 (Shrine Office)
12:00
Visit Izumo Taisha and the **Shrine Dedicated to the Ancestral Figure of Sumo
Head to Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s most prominent historic shrines. Walk through the spacious grounds, including the Kaguraden with its impressive sacred rope and the Main Hall, a striking example of traditional shrine architecture.
Within the precincts, visit Nomi no Sukune Jinja, which honors the ancestral figure of Sumo, and see the nearby sumo ring to learn about Izumo’s long connection to the sport.
Facility Information
13:00
Lunch and Stroll Along Shinmon‑dori
After your visit, explore Shinmon‑dori, the welcoming street that stretches from the shrine’s main gate. Enjoy Izumo’s signature warigo soba at the long‑established Tanakaya, located right by the front torii. You can also try hands‑on activities such as sacred‑rope making or aroma blending, which offer a glimpse into local craftsmanship.
Continue to the Former Taisha Station, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, where the Taishō‑era station building has been carefully preserved.
Wrap up your stroll with a bowl of zenzai, a comforting local sweet that provides a pleasant break in the afternoon.
Facility Information
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
99‑4 Kizuki‑Higashi, Taisha‑cho, Izumo, Shimane 699‑0701
Tel: 0853-53-8600
15:00
Learn about Izumo’s myths and history at the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
Explore detailed exhibits including a scale model of the grand ancient Izumo Taisha hall and numerous bronze swords and bells unearthed in the region, offering insight into Izumo’s rich historical and cultural background.
Facility Information
16:00
Inasa Beach, the legendary setting of the gods’ contest of strength, and the sunset at Hinomisaki
From Inasa Beach—associated with early sumo legends—drive along the coastline toward Hinomisaki while taking in the shifting colors of the Sea of Japan.
Enjoy the sunset as it sinks into the horizon at Hinomisaki, a scenic highlight of the day.
Facility Information
Photo provided by KAI Izumo
18:00
Check‑in
Check in at today’s accommodation, Hoshino Resorts KAI Izumo.
Enjoy a kaiseki dinner featuring seafood from the Sea of Japan, followed by a dynamic Iwami Kagura performance.
Relax in the ocean‑view hot spring and bring your first day in Izumo to a peaceful close.
Photo provided by KAI IzumoFacility Information
09:00
Hinomisaki Shrine and Hinomisaki Lighthouse — A Cape Colored in White and Vermilion
This scenic area is part of a designated national park.
Hinomisaki Shrine features striking vermilion halls and consists of two main sanctuaries. It is traditionally described as the place that “protects the night,” in contrast to Ise Jingu, which is said to “protect the day.”
After your visit, head to Hinomisaki Lighthouse, Japan’s tallest stone lighthouse. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of rugged cliffs and the deep-blue Sea of Japan, accompanied by refreshing ocean air.
10:30
Drive with views connected to the Story of Kunibiki
Leaving Hinomisaki, enjoy a coastal drive with expansive views of the Sea of Japan.
Mt. Sanbe, visible in the distance, is described in the Izumo Fudoki as one of the stakes used when the land was drawn toward Izumo in the Story of Kunibiki.
Take in these landscapes associated with the ancient tale as you head to your next destination.
Facility Information
GARB CLIFF TERRACE Izumo
1870 Kumura, Taki‑cho, Izumo, Shimane 699‑0901
Tel: 050-3159-3298 (Reservations)
12:00
Lunch featuring Shimane’s local ingredients with an ocean view
For lunch, visit GARB CLIFF TERRACE Izumo, known for its open terrace overlooking the sea.
Enjoy dishes prepared with vegetables from Shimane and seafood from the Sea of Japan, served in a relaxed coastal setting.
Facility Information
13:30
Experience Izumo’s craftsmanship — Craft Tourism
In the afternoon, explore the world of traditional crafts that continue to thrive in Izumo.
Begin with Shussai Kiln, a renowned Mingei pottery studio, where artisans carefully shape each piece by hand. Visit the workshop and the large climbing kiln, and see the distinctive deep blue of Shussai Blue and the warm, rustic character of their pottery up close.
Next, visit Okaya Woodcraft, known for furniture and craftwork that highlight the natural warmth of wood. Here, you can observe the refined skills and techniques of local woodworkers.
Facility Information
18:00
Savor chanko hotpot taught directly by sumo wrestlers — Ryotei Tawara
For dinner, visit Ryotei Tawara, a long‑established local restaurant beloved for generations.
The highlight is their special chanko hotpot, prepared according to a recipe passed down from sumo wrestlers. Enjoy a heartwarming meal that brings your day to a satisfying close.
Facility Information
Inishie no Yado Keiun (Kyoritsu Resort)
1443‑1 Shurimen Hongō, Taisha‑cho, Izumo, Shimane 699‑0721
Tel: 0853-53-8877
19:30
Check‑in
Tonight’s accommodation is Inishie no Yado Keiun, located near Izumo Taisha.
Unwind in two large communal baths and five private hot‑spring baths, and relax after two days of exploring Izumo’s myths and craftsmanship. Enjoy a peaceful evening in this quiet corner of Izumo.
07:00
Early‑morning greeting in serene silence — Izumo Taisha
Begin the final day of your journey with an early‑morning visit to Izumo Taisha.
The shrine grounds, wrapped in crisp morning air, offer a solemn atmosphere completely different from daytime.
At the Kaguraden with its massive sacred rope and at the Main Hall, quietly express gratitude for the safe travels over the past three days.
Facility Information
10:00
Visit another place of prayer — Ichibata Yakushi
Ichibata Yakushi, a historic Buddhist temple long revered as the “Eye‑Healing Yakushi,” sits quietly in the mountains.
Climb the long stone steps to reach the peaceful temple grounds, where you can experience a Buddhist place of prayer, offering a contrast to the Shinto traditions of Izumo Taisha.
Facility Information
11:30
Strolling through a historic district — Cotton Road (Momen Kaidō)
Head to Cotton Road (Momen Kaidō), once a thriving cotton distribution center from the Edo to Meiji periods.
For lunch, enjoy a traditional set meal at Wata no Hana, located inside a preserved building along the historic street.
Savor dishes made with local ingredients while taking in the nostalgic townscape.
Shoko Takayasu ©
Facility Information
13:00
Step back in time in a town where traditions still live
Walk through a district lined with white‑plastered merchant houses and tiled roofs, filled with the aromas of active soy sauce breweries and sake breweries.
• At Sake Mochida Honten, enjoy a sake brewery tour and tasting.
• At Okamo Ichirō Shoten, a soy sauce master guides you through soy sauce tasting and a fun tour of the brewery.
• At Umi Shrine, cleanse away bad ties and pray for good relationships.
Spend time connecting with the myths of Izumo and the lives of the people who carry these traditions forward.
15:00
Depart for your next destination from Izumo Enmusubi Airport
Only 30 minutes from Izumo!
We also recommend visiting the mystical Oki Islands, where classical sumo traditions remain and the landscapes of the UNESCO Global Geopark unfold.
9:00 Izumo Enmusubi Airport → 9:30 Oki World Geopark Airport
[Contact the Concierge]
• Your itinerary can be customized to match your preferred number of days, activities, and budget.
• If you would like to discuss a tailor‑made Izumo tour, feel free to contact the concierge using the form below.
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