Izumo: Original Home of the gods
Izumo, Japan is located in the northern part of Shimaneken Prefecture. It is situated in the Izumo Plain and it borders the sea of Japan. Izumo has a quiet and charming character which is due to its long history that stretches way back to the beginnings of the country. Step aside Kyoto and Nara, this is the town known as Shinkoku or country of the gods. Based on the old Japanese records, Izumo was mentioned as the place where shrines and historical treasures were discovered. It shows that the roots of Japanese history started in this town. One of the famous activities in Izumo is hiking the Chugoku Nature Trail.
Best Time to Visit
Izumo festivals revolve around the time where people gathered around the shrines. The most notable event is the Imperial Festival which is celebrated around May 14. It is often followed by the Grand Festival happening the next day. It is best to visit during the festival days to experience the culture of the town. However Izumo, Japan hotels are often fully booked.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Visiting Izumo will not be complete without putting Gakuenji Temple in the itinerary. It is the oldest temple in Japan. The nearest hotel is Izumo Royal Hotel, which about 6 minutes drive from the tourist spot. Another place of attraction that shouldn’t be missed is the Izumo Taisha, which is the most important Shinto temple in the country. Masuya Ryokan is about 3 minutes away and equipped with hot spring. Take a tour at the Kojindani Historical Park. This is historical museum is just about 7 minutes away from Fine Izumo Shop.