Shimane Prefecture: A treasure trove of sightseeing, nature and gourmet food

Lake Shinji at sunset
14:32 JST, December 12, 2022
Facing the Sea of Japan in western Japan, Shimane Prefecture has become a popular travel spot for foreign tourists in recent years. In addition to famous places such as Izumo-taisha Shrine, Matsue Castle and Tamatsukuri Hot Springs, the prefecture is home to the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a World Heritage site, and the Oki Islands, which are certified as a Global Geopark.

The worship hall of Izumo-taisha Shrine
Shimane is also known for its gourmet foods, such as the winter delicacy Matsuba crab, and the most famous shijimi clams, which are from Lake Shinji. “Akaten,” a specialty of the city of Hamada, is a spicy fish paste made by kneading red pepper in a fish paste, and it is loved as a local gourmet food.

Spicy and beer-friendly “Akaten”

Izumo soba. Soba noodles in small bowls are served stacked on top of each other, left, Dip the noodles in a bowl of soup and then eat them.

You can enjoy the aroma of buckwheat flour.

The big red crab in the foreground is Matsuba crab.

Miso soup with sijimi clams from Lake Shinji
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