Forbidden to tattoo foreigners. For local rules reasons …. Whatever that means Got EV charger! #timetowakeupjpn

I go to this onsen quite often. The water is great. Nice outdoor baths over looking the river. The sauna they have is good. And the cold water bath is super deep! One of the hot water baths is also really deep!

Great outside and inside facility. I go regularly and feel great. It is not tattoo friendly, but covering small tattoos doesn’t seem to bother anyone.

Nice indoor, outdoor bath and sauna. Good quality water which leaves your skin soft and your body relaxed.

Water temperature is just perfect 👌. The rooms are a bit small though. Family bath is 2300 yen.

足湯は無料♪ Lucky( ^-^)ノ∠※。.:*:・'°☆

(Translated by Google) The scenery is very nice, and the forest scenery changes with the seasons, which is very relaxing. The menu at the restaurant is plentiful and delicious, and there is also a well-stocked store selling souvenirs and locally produced foods. I wondered why there was a roadside station in such a place, but Japan's tallest stone steps are relatively close by, and it seemed like there were many tourists, not just locals, who were driving or touring. The hot spring was also very pleasant, but I felt that it was a little small considering the large site. It was a bit disappointing that there were so many customers. (Original) 景観がとても良く、季節によって森の景色もかわりとても安らぎます。食堂のメニューも豊富で美味しく、土産物や地産地消の食料品などの売り場も充実してました。こんな所に道の駅が、、と思いますが、日本一の石段が比較的近くにあり、地元民だけでなく、ドライブやツーリングなど観光客も多そうな感じでした。温泉もとても気持ちよかったですが、広い敷地の割にやや温泉は狭かったかなという印象でした。お客さんも多いのでそこはちょっと残念でした。

I came here in the evening after visiting the castle. It is obviously built for tourists so prices can be a bit higher here. But also you will be able to find unique food like horse meat here, and also omiyage from the Kumamoto region. Was not crowded because I arrived quite late.

The food here is low quality and expensive. It is better to come here after having a meal at the nearby mall's food court. Definition of a tourist trap. But you can still enjoy the scenery and old aesthetic without buying any food. The Kumamoto Castle ticketing area is here too, you can buy tickets and ticket packages for the castle and museums. This area feels too commercialized, lacking many of the traditional feeling. You can also print a Kumamoto Castle coin with engraving for 630 yen

Not a big area. Mainly restaurants. One gift shop. Walking around here takes 10 mins unless you go for the VR or wearing costumes to walk around and take pictures. Enjoy the ancient feel with the architectural style.

Sakura-no-baba Josaien, a lively castle town square at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, where visitors can enjoy local cuisine, traditional crafts, and cultural performances.

One of nice spots to visit when you are visiting Kumamoto Castle, it is near the castle, and close to bus stop that will take you back to the town. Here, there are lots of local shops and restaurants.

Visited in July 2025 Back in the day, the site was a stable for the troops stationed in the castle. But now the days of horse transportation is long gone and it has been repurposed as a tourist center. The Wakuwakuza museum is inside the complex as well. Due to the absence of any real food courts or shopping centers nearby and around the castle area (the city's major shopping arcade is 500+ meters away), the price of the foods here are way more expensive, borderline tourist trap level even. That being said, there are some items I found interesting. For instance, there is one stall that sells anything horse meat, from croquette, sausage on skewer, and even sushi. Forgot to ask whether the latter is grilled or raw horse meat on sushi rice (seems to be on the former). Another sells some Kumamon-shaped cake with some filling. AFAIK there's one shuttle bus running between the place and Kumamoto Station.

This place could get busy at times, specially on weekend where there are many tourists but it is still tolerable. The place is nice and has different stores that offer food and drinks. I particularly love the matcha store there. Offers great variety of food and has available seats on the side. Local sellers are welcoming and very kind. At times, there are presentations in the morning and afternoon, I am not so sure about the schedule and if it is something seasonal. I believe local sellers are used to meeting foreigners and despite the fact that most of them dont speak English, they still try to be patient and warm. I have not tried the restaurants there but will try my best to visit it next time. Added some photos at night

The castle is quite beautiful, but so is many other castles around Japan. While the constructed elevated walkway does take away from the historic look and feel, it does however give a different vantage point to the ground path. There are still many spots where the earthquake damage is “preserved”. The tourist facilities are very well laid out and most staff can speak basic English, and restaurant and snacks stalls are a bit expensive but reasonable for a tourist spot. Worth a visit if you are already coming to Kumamoto, but I wouldn’t bother travelling long distance just to see the castle.

Kumamoto Castle looks beautiful from the outside and the reconstruction after the 2016 earthquake is impressive. Inside it feels modern, more like a museum about the castle than a place showing how it once looked. There are no traditional rooms or old interiors like in Himeji. There’s also a separate Castle Museum but it can be skipped since the main castle already explains most of the history and the rebuilding process. Great to see from the outside, but not the old Japan vibe I expected.

Admission fee 800yen for castle only. There is an app called the KumaCastle which they encouraged you to download. Very easy to use. U can use the app to scan the QR code in each station for a more thorough briefing. Learnt that this castle got affected by the earthquake on 2016 and restoration is still in progress. Looking at how they went on to preserve something so worthy of the effort is heartwarming. Not boring. It’s educational and it’s informative for both adults and kids.

Visiting Kumamoto Castle was one of the most peaceful and moving experiences of my trip to Japan. As I walked toward the castle, the grand black-and-white towers rose above the trees, standing proudly against the sky. Even from a distance, I could feel the strength and spirit of the place. Inside the castle grounds, time seemed to slow down. The stone walls, carefully rebuilt after the earthquake, carry stories of courage and endurance. I found myself pausing often—just to breathe in the quiet air and imagine what life was like centuries ago. It’s amazing how a place that has faced so much destruction can still stand with such dignity and grace. Walking along the pathways lined with old trees, I felt surrounded by both history and hope. The sunlight filtering through the leaves gave the whole place a warm glow, and for a moment, I felt completely at peace. There was no rush, no noise—only the soft sounds of the wind and my own footsteps. Kumamoto Castle reminded me that beauty often comes from strength, and peace can exist even after hardship. I left the castle feeling calm, inspired, and deeply grateful. It is more than just a historic site—it is a symbol of resilience and quiet power. If you ever visit Kumamoto, take time to stand still within those walls and let the spirit of the castle speak to you.

A very well preserved historical monument, and very cleverly and sensitively remodelled to include visual and static exhibits, including modern amenities like walking paths and ramps, and elevators and toilets. Becoming a user friendly and accessible place for everyone. The visual displays and video documentary present very detailed historical and rehabilitation backgrounds, making the visit very interesting and educational.

As the billboards make me believe, construction will carry on until the 2030s. Or even 2050s as another sign seems to say. While renovations are not a bad thing, I feel they could have been made less impactful for visitors. Even just walking around the castle is annoying. I am so glad that Kumamoto is only a stopover and we didn't come here for the castle. The late afternoon light, just before sunset, was quite lovely though. And the lights at night (from our hotel room) are nice too. (Last admission is 4pm, if you want to get inside.)

Very well-organised and easy to navigate. The staff, ticketing, and crowd flow were all managed smoothly, making the visit comfortable even with many visitors. The castle grounds are impressive and the restoration work is beautifully done. Worth a visit!

A beautiful and well-maintained Japanese garden, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The landscape is carefully designed, featuring a large pond, traditional tea houses, and a miniature representation of the Tokaido road, including a small Mt. Fuji. The garden reflects the beauty of Japanese aesthetics, with seasonal flowers adding to its charm. The entrance fee is 400 yen as of March 2025. A great spot to take a relaxing stroll, enjoy and admire the harmony of nature. Enjoy 😎🙏🧘🧘‍♀️

Visited on a rainy morning so enjoyed a quieter atmosphere with fewer tourists. A lovely Japanese garden with two shrines and many stores inside, but not that different from otherJapanese gardens if you had visited them elsewhere.

A very nice and quite beautiful park overall. The scenery is lovely and it’s a pleasant place to walk around, but it does feel a bit small for the 400 yen entrance fee. It’s also a shame to see some buildings inside that are run-down or closed — they clearly have a lot of potential if restored. Still, it’s an enjoyable visit, just not as impressive as it could be.

I went here to relax after a long day. It’s a quiet park with lots of benches around the lake. There aren’t many people around. There’s a shrine inside and some small torii gates. The lake has a lot of fish as well. I saw many cherry trees, so this park must be even more beautiful during cherry blossom season. Entrance fee for adult is 400yen.

A very well-preserved garden. You can also enjoy the “water of longevity” inside the shrine in the garden.

It is a place you would like to enjoy, quiet. Not too many people, enjoy the peace and meditation. But for some people maybe boring, but it is only 10-15 minutes by tram, it worth to go in my opinion.

A beautiful garden with a shrine inside. It was very quiet with few visitors on a weekday, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the views

We had a fun visit at this adorable zoo! The variety of animals was just right, with highlights including cute alpacas and a number of bears. But the real entertainment was the pig race - hilarious and entertaining! The animal show was also super cute and engaging. Overall, a fun visit to a zoo that's perfect for families with kids.

The place is slightly rundown for this ticket price, there isn’t a huge variety of animals but it’s got some cute events like the pig race.

When approaching, the entry building looks nice and modern, but after entry into the zoo territory most buildings look old and worn down. Many of the animals you are not supposed to touch are placed in ways where they are easy to reach out to and pet, we didn’t do that but we have seen other people do exactly that. A lot of things and activities require additional payment on site and the payment methods are often very confusing. Some of the animals like the bears are kept in pretty dirty and uncared for enclosures. Those same bears and some of other animals look sick, unfed and dirty. The animals actually allowed to touch and pet are afraid and annoyed by people visiting, for those same animals there are no workers to control how the visitors act with the animals, that caused a lot of those animals to be treated badly by other visitors right in front of our eyes. Some of the animals don’t look as bad as the others, but that doesn’t make the overall experience any better. When we have visited the zoo it was cloudy, but in sunny weather there is no place to hide from the sun and heat. The only beautiful thing was the recreation of a traditional Japanese Pagoda in the middle of an artificial pond. Don’t ever visit this zoo, all you do is pay them money for this terrible experience! Instead visit the hiking trails around the volcano, they are much more interesting and really worth your time!

The enclosures at Aso Cuddly Dominion Park are not suitable for the animals. The bears have far too little space, and the entire area is gray and concrete with no greenery at all. Overall, all the animals look neither healthy nor happy. Additionally, the petting experience is likely not always comfortable for the animals.

The state at which the bears are caged in, are pretty much inhumane. The cages are way too small, and the animals pretty much all look like they have lost all hope in life.. Mostly pacing up and down in their prison cell and some are frantically chewing on the cage bars.. I regret going...

Many animals to pet! The only reason is not 5 stars is because when you go to pet the bears you think you will get a little cub. They brought one really large cub, not small cuddly. It was heavy and constantly eating. It was half the size of the adults and it wasn't what you expected 🙃 still it was cool. I just think when you pay to pet the animal you should have a choice if you don't want to pet a big one and prefer a smaller one. My daughter went there excited and then she was terrified. Not ready for that. They will take photos for you but there were tears in every photo. 😢 So there was that. They have a nice selection of animals. And a show where they have birds of flight where they allow part of the audience to participate. That was fun. No photos allowed there, though, so just in memory. Lovely grounds and so nice to feed pet and interact with so many animals. Thank you for the nice experience. I recommend for families and anyone. Enjoy 😉 😘

Nice place to pay a visit with family! Cool zoo for kids. There is a helicopter tour service here for the Aso volcano, I personally recommend to take it a tour. Personal recommend: ★ ★ ★ Family-friendly: ★ ★ ★ Date for couples: ★ ★ Parking lot: ◯ Services/meals/products/design: ★ ★ Period for stay: 2-3 hours Charge: 6000 yen Baby room/accessible toilet: ◯ Cleanness: ★ ★ the toilet is really poor and not clean

Beautiful place and you can take time to just pause and breathe in the fresh air. There paragliding too.

Very windy here, great view though! Can’t believe volcano eruption is so powerful you can see the whole bowl shaped leveling caused by it

Most magnificent view in Kumamoto prefecture. I visited lots of national parks all over the world but this view is definitely comparable to them. If you come here in the early morning, you can enjoy a different atmosphere which I also liked.

The view from there and the driving way was just amazing! Super windy so prepare a but warmer clothes Parking was free It seemed some (or entire) area closes at 17:00

Beautiful natural scene . Highly recommend

Went for a stop on the way from Beppu to Kumamoto. Crowded during the weekends. Beautiful scenery on clear, sunny days. Must try the soft cream inside the store.

Worlds’ second largest caldera which was emerged due to the eruption of mount Aso (Volcano) 300,000years ago. 25km long and 18km wide.

Recommended climb. It is slightly shorter to start at Makinoto Pass. The scenery along the way is grand. The trail is well signposted and there is a steady stream of hikers both ways. The entire hike took us about 5 hours.

There is a hiking trail from the parking lot at Akagawa Onsen (赤川温泉) and that only takes about 2.5hours to ascend to the peak of Mt Kuju. This trail is steep and technical, at parts requiring scrambling on boulders. This trail is flanked by deciduous trees giving it a spooky forest vibe in Winter when I hiked, but it would be absolutely stunning in spring if you can handle the pollen!

Beautiful and long hike. I would recommend starting early, the parking lot at the bottom fills up quickly, so you’ll have to park along the roadside. And the blueberry soft cream at the base is worth the hike!

An awesome hike. It takes about 8 hours to cover a good numbers of peaks in the Kuju Mountains.

Nadakade hike was fun with amazing views. The place is awesome in summer with beauty everywhere you look.

I went there for a hike, personally i love the hiking trail. Its pretty easy for an amateur hikers like me, and i reached the highest peak called Nakadake. There are a lot of various beautiful scenery alongside the hiking trail. Especially there is a small pond before reaching the peak (Miike Pond) and it was beautiful. It was a very worthy hike and would highly recommend this mountain if you want to hike.

have to come again.

Beautiful autumn colours! Nice place to walk. There are lots of cafes and food joints at the nearby Yufuin Floral village and the surroundings. Very popular place.

Stay a night if you are aiming for that picturesque morning mist shot. I highly recommend going around the lake, not only to enjoy the clear waters and the koi fishes swimming near the surface. You can get various angles of the lake, and also get away from the throngs of people. I "caught" a visitor resting on a ledge above the small stream next to 下ん湯。 The crowd dissipates as I was halfway across the lake and I bumped into less than 5 people upon visiting Tenso Shrine and the public toilet that the signs around the lake directed you to. Yes, so if your aim was to find the public toilet from the signs, just walk in from the right side.

This is the main tourist attraction in the area. It’s about a 20min walk from the station straight towards the mountains then a right turn. Some of the cool cafes around the lake are not open on certain days so be careful. It is surprisingly much smaller than expected. There are fish and a small shrine but heavily crowded by tourists groups and visitors. There are tons of shops and food stands along the way. Most of which seem like tourist traps. we tried a couple food stalls and the food was subpar to the pictures on their marketing. Overall it’s fine but nothing amazing since. We had a much better time at our osen 👌

Great location for a picturesque shot. Can be crowded at times, but circling around the lake to the shrine may allow for a quieter escapade. If you manage to stay in Yufuin over the night, there's opportunities to visit as well, and it is absolutely tranquil then.

Lake Kinrin is in the pretty town of Yufuin with Mount Yufu as a stunning backdrop. We were there on Japan’s National Kimono Day & hired Kimono from Felice, run by a very friendly & welcome lady. She kitted us out & dressed us in traditional costumes of our choice, including hair adornment & footwear. It cost ¥6000 for the day.

Cozy little lake with great views and cafes nearby. Very lovely to walk around, admire the views, sketch and look at the herons and cormorants fish.

It’s fine - it’s a lake with a few interesting Japanese buildings nearby. A Tori gate in the water. It’d be adorable if 1000s of tourists don’t descend on this place like locusts. It’s very sad. They swarm the area, walking all over the grass and damaging everything off path. They’re all hogging the fences between the water and the path, trying to get that Instagram post with water birds in the background. Don’t come to the city just for this. You’ll be disappointed.

It was a fascinating experience to explore various types of onsen all located within a nearby area. Each hot spring showcased unique characteristics—from mineral composition and water temperature to design and ambiance. Although the site is designated for observation and not for commercial use, it offers a rare opportunity to study and appreciate the natural and cultural richness of Japan’s onsen tradition. I was especially excited to learn about the geological factors that influence the formation of these hot springs and their reputed health benefits. This visit deepened my appreciation for the science and heritage behind Japan’s bathing culture. The parking was free of cost.

There are 7 hells in total - 5 clustered together and 2 a bit farther away. Each has its own unique character and a separate entrance. At the main hell you can either buy a ticket for all 7, a ticket for the 5 adjacent ones, or pay individually. We chose the third option. After nearly an hour at the first/main hell, the kids picked the alligator hell next. Visiting 2 hells felt more than enough for us 🤷‍♂️.

Pretty incredible and fascinating place! You can explore all 7 on a day, just need to take the bus between 2 sites. The combined ticket is good value if you can do all 7. The information desk has very friendly and helpful staff, good English too. One star less because of the conditions of the crocodiles and fishes... We enjoyed all the jigoku, had fun collecting stamps!

This was a total unexpected and super nice experience in Beppu. We did a road trip thru Kyushu and had a brief stop in Beppu and visit the seven hills, very nice and interesting place. If have time it’s interesting to visit

It was a wonderfull experience, visited 5 hells but couldn't manage to go to other two as these were far away. Package for all seven hells consted me 2200 yen from Beppu Station Tourist Information. Out of these five hells the first and fourth hells were so fascinating showcasung beautiful water and huge crocodiles. Only problem was heavy traffic from Beppu Station to the place and vice versa.

I was only able to visit Umi Jigoku since I had limited time. There were a lot of people but the place was big as to no overcrowding. I liked the onsens with steam, it was very different and enjoyable at the same time.

If coming in on a cruise get tickets at the port tourist information. If you are already there go to the left side of the main entrance and purchase tickets for all of the springs, which basically skips the long queue. The springs are worth checking out at least once.

The colour is very pretty! Has a large selection on their omiyage (gifts). I recommend going to this place. You get to see water lily garden, and the red hell. There's also greenhouse, but it's just very small section.

A short bus ride (20 mins, bus 41) from Beppu Station is Umi Jigoku hot springs. Too hot to swim and they describe it as “hell” as resembling what hell might be like. Lots of tourists and a good gift shop. Walk up to the Shrine and enjoy the green environment and ponds with water lillies.

Only this onsen is worth visiting in Beppu. The blue colour and steaming is stunning m. The place is well maintained and has a nice walking path around the pond. Honestly, the other hells are quite similar and not really worth the time, just go visit this one is enough.

One of our main itinerary points for this Japan-trip. Fascinating to see from our hotel balcony; awesome to see up close. A place I could gladly sit for hours and just soak up the scenery (sight, sound, smell). My only gripe is that there isn't any information (colour, temperature, minerals, ph-level, etc). But then again, there isn't one in Japanese either. Arrive early, beat the crowds. Free parking. Don't forget the red hell, which is also in this compound.

Of the three jigoku that we saw this was my favourite. Two beautiful springs to view but more importantly the hot foot bath, which fixed my very sore feet. We paid at each venue, as three was enough for us. If you are only doing one this might be the best. No lines, went straight in.

If on a time crunch in Beppu and need to choose between “Hells” to visit, I suggest this one. It has the largest Tiffany blue pool of the ones we visited. Has a stall selling small steamed cakes and a cafe on site serving light bites including the popular steamed pudding. In hindsight, would’ve sat down to have the steamed pudding here as the area is much wider with more seating thus tourists are spread further apart as compared to Kamado Jigoku. Beautiful pool and a nice foot bath with many available spaces to sit. Small towels are on sale in the gift shop on site for 300¥.

During our Fukuoka tour with Gogoday Travel, we visited Umi Jigoku as a backup stop and it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. The site is beautifully serene, featuring soothing blue hot springs that create a peaceful atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the tranquil foot bath, which was both relaxing and refreshing after a day of sightseeing. The area is well maintained and offers great photo opportunities. Helen, our guide, provided insightful information about the site, adding to the overall experience. Umi Jigoku is highly recommended as a calm and unique destination worth visiting.

Start by taking a queue number at the reception. Then line up to select your order from the machines. Make payment there. Wait till your number is called by the reception prior to handing your meal tickets to them. This will be followed by getting timers from them and collecting your food. Followed the number indicated to head to the steamer area. Staff will hand you protective gear to insert the food into the steamer. When the timer rings, head back to collect the food. Extra costs for different types of sauces. Yuzu pepper sauce tasted good. Free seating. Credit card allowed. Free parking

Awesome unique experience. Glad i was there with few people, so when i arrived i was able.to order immediately. To my rush, i ordered a meal for 2 :( Steamed foods are fresh and taste good. My only critique is that eventhough i don't order meal with shrimp. It tasted and smells like shrimp. But overall i had fun experience here

Food was ok but the waiting time was long. First, you get a queue number. Then you order you food on the ticket machine. And you wait for you queue to be called. While purchasing the food, you need to purchase the mandatory basket for steaming 🤔. When your number is called, you present your food tickets and collect your food. Then proceed to the steam counters to have your food steam for 15 mins. Limited parking lots available and there isn't any paid parking nearby. For the novelty of steaming your own food, ok la. Otherwise, there's better food options around the area. 😉

That sounds like such a unique and fun dining experience! A restaurant where you can steam your own food using hot spring water is definitely something special. It combines the joy of cooking with the excitement of trying something new. The process of ordering from ahř⁶ vending machine, collecting your food, and then steaming it yourself adds a personal touch to the meal

Came on Sunday and parking was difficult. We made many turns and finally saw some people leaving the parking. We had to take a number which is 90mins wait. With that, we can order our meals and wait for our turn to collect food for steaming. I find the food alright. Prawns seemed over cooked.

Enjoyed this place where you can steam your own food with the geothermal steam from the hot spring. Just purchase the meal coupons (I ordered set 2 and 17) and a ¥40 steaming fee coupon from the vending machine and get a number from the reception. When your number is called, pass your meal coupons to the counter and they will prepare the ingredients for you. It’s free-seating so after securing your seat, you bring your tray of ingredients to the steaming area according to the number on the timer provided. There, the staff will guide you through the process of wearing thick gloves and steaming your food for about 15 mins. They provide salt and ponzu as complimentary condiments but if you prefer other condiments like sesame sauce, you’ll need to add additional ¥200 per sauce.

Love the steamed food here despite expecting the place to be gimmicky & mid, experience is definitely fun & interesting for visitors. Would definitely recommend to anyone coming to try their cheese fondue (16)!

The Kanmon Strait is very pleasant on a sunny day. It's a historic site where significant events took place, and arriving there felt very moving. If you're passing through by bicycle, there's a small fee of 20 yen.

It is a transit from South Korea to Japan and vice versa, named kannmon strait. The surrounding looks wow.If you passing in night then it looks more good. The colour of lights catch your eyes. Plenty hotels are there. It's a lifetime experience. If anyone get chance then don't missed out. Kannmon Bridge also looking very good from my ship.

My ancestors put their mark on history here.

(Translated by Google) The weather was not good, it was snowing and raining, and walking across both sides of the Taiwan Strait made everything seem unreal. (Original) 天候不佳，下著雪雨，徒步穿越兩岸，一切都顯得不夠真實

(Translated by Google) Not to mention the spectacular scenery! In Japanese history! This strait is also the stage for various events! That's amazing! I wonder if Shimonoseki City and Kitakyushu City can't collect toll tax from foreign ships? (Original) 圧巻の景色風景もさる事ながら！ 日本の歴史上！様々出来事の舞台でもあるこの海峡！素晴らしいですね！ 下関市と北九州市で外国船舶から通行税を徴収できないのかなぁ？

(Translated by Google) The scenery is amazing! There are not only bridges but also tunnels that can be accessed on foot or by bicycle. Despite the scenery and hot history (the downfall of the Heike clan, Ganryu Island, the end of the Edo period), I get the impression that tourism resources are not being utilized effectively. There aren't many tourists (you can usually park in the free parking lot right away. Is Mojiko Retro only more famous?). (Original) 景色が最高! 橋だけでなくトンネルもあり、徒歩や自転車でも通行可能。 景色や熱い歴史（平家滅亡、巌流島、幕末）がある割に観光資源が有効に生かされていない印象。観光客は少ない（無料駐車場も大体すぐ止められる。門司港レトロのみの方が有名？)。

(Translated by Google) I walked from Shimonoseki through the tunnel to Moji, but it was quite a distance. I had planned to take the Retro Line to Moji, but it is closed from December to March and there is only one bus per hour. It is essential to check the public transportation schedule in an unfamiliar place. (Original) 下関から歩いてトンネルを通って門司まで歩きましたが結構な距離でした。門司側はレトロラインでの移動を予定していたのですけど12月から3月までは営業してないしバスは1時間に1本。知らない土地での公共交通機関の運行スケジュール確認は必須ですね。

Akama Jingu is a beautiful shrine is located on the stunning Kanmon Straits. The shrine is dedicated to the child emperor Antoku and other warriors who fell during the battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. The location also provides many other historical locations to explore near by and offers beautiful water front views, and restaurants.

Not many people seem to know the true charm of Akama at night. It may not shine as brightly as shrines in bigger cities, but here in Shimonoseki, there's a quiet, subtle beauty that lingers like a faint scent on the breeze. Under the dark sky, it glows with a deep red hue—soft, yet captivating. There’s no need for noise or lights. Just the sound of the sea breeze brushing past, and the stillness that gently wraps around you. As I strolled through the night, passing by this small yet majestic shrine, I found myself completely at peace— a rare moment to quietly walk, breathe, and simply think. I hope you, too, get to experience that kind of night.

A red-white shrine located close to the sea. The architecture is quite unique. The red & white contrasting color makes a pale pink sakura flower more beautiful. The sea view from the shrine is also stunning.

I visited the jingu at around 1pm, 8 May 2025. There were only a few visitors in the jingu, but there were some construction projects ongoing at that time. The complex is free to enter, and the buildings are brightly coloured in a traditional red hue. There is information about the history of the jingu, its relationship with Antoku Tenno and Hoichi the Earless.

Came to this jinja after a short ferry ride from the Kyushu/Mojikou Port side to the Honshu/Yamaguchi side of the beautiful Kanmon Straits. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from the Karato ferry landing dock. Beautiful red and white structures and s pretty cute of the Kanmonkyo Bridge as you head back towards the street. No fee to enter our to look around, but a gift shop awaits to separate you and your funds. We went on a weekday during the late morning/early afternoon. A nice stop if you are in the area. Recommended!

The shrine is kinda quite shiny and fabulous to us. It is nice to stop by and enjoy the beauty of shrine architecture and decoration.

Great Shinto shrine in Japan. This shrine has sacred atmosphere. Vivid colored shrine buildings are impressive!

Kanmon Bridge is a bridge connecting Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture. It opened on November 14, 1973, and is 1,068m long, and the height of the bridge is 61m from sea level. There are rest areas with good views on the north and south sides of the bridge.

If you are driving pass the bridge, would highly recommend to stop and enjoy the scenery land amazing architecture of the bridge. The stop area was located at Fukuoka prefecture side. Free parking are provided and there are also a restaurant to stop by.

A very beautiful place as well as surroundings. The authority always take of this places which is praiseworthy indeed.

suspension bridge that spans the Kanmon Strait, connecting the cities of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture and Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The bridge is a prominent landmark in the region and is widely regarded as one of the most impressive bridges in Japan. The bridge is approximately 1.2 kilometers long and stands at a height of 47 meters above the water. The view from the bridge is stunning, with the sparkling blue waters of the Kanmon Strait stretching out in all directions. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the island of Tsushima in the distance. One of the best ways to experience the Kanmon Bridge is by taking a leisurely drive across it. The road is smooth and well-maintained, and there are plenty of pull-off areas where you can stop and take in the view. There's also a pedestrian walkway on the bridge, which is a great option if you want to take your time and really soak in the scenery. Another popular way to experience the Kanmon Bridge is by taking a boat tour that passes underneath it. This is a great way to get a different perspective on the bridge and really appreciate its scale and grandeur. Overall, I would highly recommend a visit to the Kanmon Bridge if you're in the Fukuoka or Yamaguchi area. It's a beautiful and impressive structure that's definitely worth seeing in person

Although the weather was not really good, but the bridge is still beautiful and amazing.

Breathtaking views from Mekari parking bay. There's an observation deck. Lovely views, even during winter! We visited on 9 December.

went through under the bridge 4:00 AM on a ferry

Hofu Shrine is the first of 12,000 Tenjin Shrine in Japan. This beautiful shrine offers much historical significance and is a must visit during cherry blossom season or if in Yamaguchi.

Beautiful shrine It's currently (Sep 2025) under construction, take that into account when visiting The whole walk took us about 20 minutes. It has free parking

Another amazing shrine that features Japanese culture, architecture and traditions. A must visit for anyone willing to enjoy everything that Japan has to offer.

Not really a popular traveling spot, so quality of traveling is way better. People here barely speak other languages than Japanese, but still try their best to help us and treat us very warmly.

A very old and famous shrine at Hofu. We visited at dusk. Recommend to visit before sunset. The music comes from shrine was awesome. There are a lots of cherry trees around the shrine. The flower was so nice to see. We also enjoyed the night view of Hofu City by visiting the upper part of the Shrine. A lot of well wisher comes here.

I have heard that people come here to pray for their academics and exams. I went during cherry blossom season. It was beautiful. There is a park behind the shrine. Got a lot of cherry blossom pics . Got myself a shrine stamp. There is hall called Shunpuro which means hall of the spring breeze. It is believed that feels of spring breeze can be felt throughout the year.

I was gonna skip this shrine but lucky I did not. it has quite a bit too see and not many people. and, maybe just me, I found a traveling luck charm I've haven't seen before.

We had one hour to go around the huge house so our visit was brief. But it was interesting to see the lord's residence. A lot of history but puzzled there was no English guidebook or information. If printing on paper is not eco, perhaps they can resort to e-book information attached to the house.

One of the best gardens in Yamaguchi. I’ll take this over Shukkeien in Hiroshima any day. Large sprawling grounds with massive tōrō (stone lanterns) and scenic paths that are great for exploring. Every scene is impressive. Parking is a short distance from the entrance and well marked with vending machines and a bathroom. Don’t park in the gravel next to the first gate as that’s a buss turn-around easement. The entrance to the garden is through the first gate and a short uphill walk on the path to the right.

The maple trees are almost at full color now. The place is not so big but there are quite some good areas to relax and take some photos.

Great place to visit although a bit far to go on foot. Visit the teahouse in the area & order a matcha set.

Uncrowded interesting historic mansion/estate with museum and large garden in rural setting

Best to visit in Spring or Autumn when it's more colourful

Beautiful place but still not sakura flowers there.Next time will go in sakura time.

Amazing sandy beach with a great view for taking pictures or even swimming

(Translated by Google) The transparency of the sea was amazing (*^^*) There were many families coming for a swim in the sea, and I thought it would be nice to swim in such a beautiful sea. It was impossible to stay in the heat for a long time (._.) I think it would be soothing to look at the beautiful sea for a long time during the cooler months!! Recommended for driving, dates, and swimming at the beach (^^) (Original) 海の透明度がすごかったです(*^^*) 海水浴で来られてる家族連れが多く、こんなキレイな海で泳ぐのは気持ち良いだろうなーと思いました。あまりの暑さに長時間居るのは無理でした(._.)涼しい時期とかだと長時間キレイな海を眺め癒されると思います!! ドライブやデート、海水浴にオススメです(^^)

(Translated by Google) The view from this point is nice. Below Ai Kitanagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park located on the Sea of ​​Japan side in northern Yamaguchi Prefecture. The charm of Kitanagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park - Majestic coastline: The beautiful scenery of the ria coastline spreads out, and you can see a variety of topography such as steep cliffs, strangely shaped rocks, and caves. - Rich nature: In addition to the ocean, it also includes mountains and forests, and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. - History and Culture: It has a long history of inhabitation, and there are many historical buildings and cultural heritage sites. Highlights of Kitanagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park - Qinghai Island: The largest island in the park, it is full of attractions such as strangely shaped rocks, caves, and a beautiful coastline. - Tsunoshima: A beautiful island in the Sea of ​​Japan with white sandy beaches and emerald green waters. - Motonosumi Inari Shrine: This shrine is popular as a power spot with a red torii gate leading toward the sea. - Tawarajima: Although it is an uninhabited island, you can enjoy natural scenery such as a beautiful coastline and strangely shaped rocks. summary Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park is an attractive park that combines magnificent nature, history, and culture. It is full of attractions, including beautiful coastlines, islands, and historic buildings. (Original) この地点からの眺めがいい。 以下Ai 北長門海岸国定公園は、山口県北部の日本海側に位置する国定公園です。 北長門海岸国定公園の魅力 - 雄大な海岸線: リアス式海岸の美しい景観が広がり、断崖絶壁や奇岩、洞窟など変化に富んだ地形が見られます。 - 豊かな自然: 海だけでなく、山や森も含まれており、多様な動植物が生息しています。 - 歴史と文化: 古くから人々が暮らしてきた歴史があり、歴史的な建造物や文化遺産も数多く存在します。 北長門海岸国定公園の見どころ - 青海島: 公園内最大の島で、奇岩や洞窟、美しい海岸線など、見どころ満載です - 角島: 日本海に浮かぶ美しい島で、白い砂浜とエメラルドグリーンの海が魅力です - 元乃隅稲成神社: 赤い鳥居が海に向かって続く、パワースポットとして人気の神社です。 - 俵島: 無人島ですが、美しい海岸線や奇岩など、自然の景観を楽しむことができます。 まとめ 北長門海岸国定公園は、雄大な自然と歴史、文化が調和した魅力的な公園です。美しい海岸線や島々、歴史的な建造物など、見どころが満載です。

(Translated by Google) I live in Boso, Chiba. It was the first time I was so moved by seeing the ocean! The sea was incredibly clear! I want to come again! (Original) 千葉の房総住みです。 海を見て感動したのは初めてです！ とんでもなく透き通った海でした！ また来たい！

(Translated by Google) Although it was early in the morning and cloudy, the view was great and the water was incredibly clear. (Original) 早朝と曇天でしたが眺めが良かった、海水の透明度も凄い。

(Translated by Google) It is a place where you can see the raging waves of the Sea of ​​Japan. [postscript] When heading towards Masuda from Hagi, I end up taking a break here and looking out at the ocean. (Original) 荒々しく打ち寄せる日本海を見渡せる場所です。 ［追記］ 萩から益田方面へ向かう際に、ついついこちらで休憩をしながら、海を眺めてしまいます。

(Translated by Google) It's a quiet and beautiful place (Original) 静かで、 綺麗な所ですね

Toilets entrances are well-lit at night. Oris' burgers were good. The fries were good too. Was fun seeing the train coming and going..

There's a tricycle for kids to play and a piano for visitors inside. All the place is hand painted by the arts class from junior high school. Really charming and lovely.

I made a mistake when it came to lunch, I had pointed out the breakfast special, the lady talked the cook into preparing it for me even though breakfast was over. Here I was thinking that it was ramen for me, but it was more to my appetite. Coffee, salad , fried egg, toast, miso soup. Best meal for wet hungry cyclist , good food friendly service and had it been a sunny day , what a view.

Good

(Translated by Google) September 21, 2025 I happened to stop by and was able to take some photos just as a train was passing by. There was also an Iwami Kagura performance, so I had two unexpected experiences, which was great. However, for a roadside station, it was small and average. (Original) 2025.9.21 たまたま寄ってみたところ、列車が通過する時間で写真を撮ることが出来ました。また、石見神楽も行われていて、２つも思わぬ収穫がありとても良かったですが、道の駅としてはこじんまりしていて普通でした。

(Translated by Google) Although it is a small roadside station, it is pleasant to relax on a grassy bench while watching the Sanin Line trains running along the coastline below. It is a place where you can feel the warmth of the operator, with a yellow-decorated piano, local information, a relaxing space with a warm atmosphere, and a decorated mailbox. The restaurant has short opening hours. (Original) 小規模な道の駅ですが、海岸線を走る山陰線の列車を眼下に見ながら芝生のベンチでくつろぐ気分は悪くありません。 黄色に装飾されたピアノや地域情報があるなど、ほんわりした空気が漂う休暇スペースや🌸装飾された郵便ポストを作るなど、運営者の温かい気持ちが感じられる場所です。 レストランの営業時間は短いです。

(Translated by Google) This roadside station offers beautiful sunsets and a charming train. There's also a motorcycle shrine and a killifish scooping event. (Original) 夕陽というか夕焼けがキレイな道の駅 美しい風景と可愛い鉄道が見れます。 バイク神社とかメダカすくいもあるよ

The price is worth it for the experience inside. Lots of collections and the belluga show was amazing.

Good-sized aquarium with the pair of belurga whales as the stars of the house.

A great experience! So much wonderful sea life to see! The Beluga whales were a true highlight, I could spend all day in this place. The price is really reasonable for the great experience!

Really nice! Great place for children. Entrance fee for the aquarium is about 1500yen for adults, 500yen for students and free for ages under 5. They have also a free children park outside.

It was a rainy day, so a perfect place to escape the rain and enjoy animals and fish. the building layout is well planned so you can enjoy feeding times from multiple locations as well as see the entirety of exhibits from multiple points with fish eye windows. so many enjoyable gifts in the gift shop!

We visited this aquarium during our visit to Hamada. It was very impressive to see all the animals that this aquarium has to offer. They have activities for kids and adults alike. We spent all day here and the views from the rooftop were amazing. Staff was very friendly and helpful even with the language barrier. If we are back in the area we will visit again, definitely a must see.

Beautiful large aquarium with plenty of sharks, beluga whales, penguins, sea lions etc. The grounds are huge, no trouble locating parking. They have a small cafe (with beer), gift shops and several children interaction zones to make the visit more engaging for the kids. A bridge leads you over the expressway to the other side on the beach once your visit to the aquarium is over.

For a first time visitor by car, this is the safer and easier place to park your car. You will have to take a public bus from this center to the gateway to the Iwami-Ginzan area, which is basically one narrow street stretching from lower part of the creek to the upper part of the creek. The bus ride would cost yen 240 (US$2 or less), while the car park was free and abundant at this center. It turned out that getting a rental bicycle (electric powered one at yen 700 for two hours) at a former gas station near the lower bus stop would be ideal lakes you enjoy uphill walk without shades for 2 km or so.

This museum is not a typical tourist attraction or scenic landmark, but a serious place dedicated to learning about the history of the region. Its exhibits are carefully curated to provide educational value rather than entertainment, making it ideal for visitors with a genuine interest in the area's historical development. A worthwhile stop for those seeking depth and context in their travels.

Nice historical place with the beautiful nature of the mountain

If you want to park for free and take the bus to the village it’s a good way to get there. But walking alone is probably out of the option considering the ‘caution bears’ sign

Great center that introduces to the whole history of the mining region in quite an interactive way! Almost all the information is accompanied with English translation which is very nice. It is only 20 min walk from the center of the charming Omori village. So, if anyone is interested, I had a perfect day taking a 10:15am bus from Hiroshima directly to this center, learned about mining, walked to Omori and browsed it around a bit (it is gorgeous!), and from there took a 15 min ride (google maps knows it all) on a very cute small electric bus to the Ryugenji mine shaft (open to public without guides). And finally hiked from there for three hours through majestic forest to one of the most authentic hot springs in the country in Yunotsu. Memorable day full of history, nature, hiking, and relaxation!

A must stop for any history, geology or geography enthusiast. Wonderful presentation, amazing staff, just awesome.

This center highlights the contributions of Japan to earth in terms of Silver. Not many may know that Japan was mining 90% of the world's supply of silver 300 years ago... recommend a visit. The trails are good too for the hiking enthusiasts.

Interesting to go into the old silver mine. Recommend wearing the hard hat provided unless you are very short as the ceiling is low in many places and we bumped our heads a few times. There were some pictures of what the mining working conditions were like for the workers. Would have been a hard life.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage silver mine. Walking around Iwami Ginzan, I felt the harsh conditions under which people worked to earn money in those days. A guide accompanied us, providing detailed and easy-to-understand explanations, making the experience both enjoyable and informative.

The Iwami Ginzan historic site is impressive for its preserved old structures and landscape. It's clear that a considerable budget has been invested in maintaining the authenticity of this heritage site.

This was a fun experience. If you come here expecting to go deep under ground in a deep, vast tunnel you will be let down. The tunnel is nice to walk through but it's not the most thrilling thing in the world so its best to keep your expectations low. What really made this experience special was hiring a bicycle and riding through the beautiful traditional buildings in the town which leads up to the mine.

Iwami Ginza Mines is a great experience. Very peaceful and relaxing. There is only two ways to reach the mine walk or hire a bicycle some of which are electric. Its a 2.5 km easy walk with things to see along the way (temples, shrines and beautiful scenery and toilets). The mine cost is 500 yen and foreigners get a discount. A must see.

I really enjoy when visiting Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. This place, become UNESCO heritage site because here you will find the trace of the glory silver mine 400 years ago. Roads, tunnels, Samurai's house, and artifacts as remnants of silver mine still exists until now. This place is conserved well until now. Had trade with Europe, prove this silver mine activity affected Japan's economy at that time. Tour into the tunnel will give you the idea how the labors work to get the silver. It really hard to work under having water problems, and the shortage of light and fresh air in the past. Please visit Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, you will not regret!!

This is a great place to take a walk and it is a important place during Japanese history. It provide funds during 15~16 century. The Major issue is lack of English resource. It is hard for Foreign visitors to understand the picture by using audio guide. As a UNESCO site, I think it is reasonable to training small number of English guide.

Oni no Shitaburui gorge is the second gorge I have ever been to in Japan. I was really impressed with the scenery, the bridge, the river, also the rocks there. This is the perfect place if you want to relax and see the breathtaking scenery between gorge and autumn in Japan. Really recommended enjoying tea time there <3

excellent nature view but be careful of slippy road

Stunning and well equipped. Recommended!

The shorter route is not difficult to go with kids as well. It's beautiful

amazing place

(Translated by Google) This is a hiking trail that takes you across a suspension bridge with a spectacular view and allows you to view the gorge and numerous oddly shaped rocks. There was a relatively large free parking lot at the entrance to the gorge. It was my first time visiting, and the gorge was amazing. There are several trails, but if you use the barrier-free walking path you can stroll comfortably without any large steps or stairs. Next time I'd like to take my time and explore the gorge course as well. (Original) 絶景の吊り橋を渡り、渓谷や数々の奇岩を見学出来るハイキングコースです。 渓谷入り口に比較的大きな無料駐車場ありました。 初めて訪れましたが素晴らしい渓谷でした。 コースはいくつかありますが、バリアフリーに整備されている散策路を使えば大きな段差や階段もなく快適に散策出来ます。 次回は時間をゆっくりとり、渓谷コースも散策してみたいと思います。

(Translated by Google) This natural park has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument. We parked our car at Une Parking Lot and set off. Immediately after the shop we came to the Koi Tsuribashi suspension bridge. The view from the bridge is amazing. Afterwards we strolled through the valley, and there is a barrier-free promenade so it is very easy to walk on. We were able to see various strangely shaped and huge rocks, and enjoyed the beauty of the formations created by mother nature. (Original) 国の名勝天然記念物になっている自然公園。 宇根駐車場に車を停めて出発。 売店を過ぎたらすぐに吊り橋『恋吊橋』があります。 吊り橋からの眺めは素晴らしいです。 その後、渓谷を散策するのですが、バリアフリー遊歩道が整備されているので、非常に歩きやすいです。 色々な奇岩、巨岩を見る事が出来て、大自然が造り上げた造形美を堪能しました。

The train station and its surrounding area is also absolutely stunning! Lovely view!

Beautiful station.

Beautiful journey to Izumo Taisha

An old train is displayed outside the station so you can look around freely

A beautiful station.

Beautiful station

A nice little station.

After visiting Izumo Taisha, we took a little side-trip up the coast and quite enjoyed our visit to this lighthouse. You get a good workout going up the stairs and are then rewarded with a beautiful view from the top. You also can learn a little about its history and design, as well as those of other lighthouses around Japan.

Free parking. Nice views and interesting volcanic rock formations. You can walk to the temple from here.

An awesome place to visit! The views from the top are incredible! And exploring the surrounding coast is just as cool. The formations of the cliffs are so intriguing. It cost us 300yen to go up the lighthouse, it was well worth it!

The majestic and magnificent lighthouse offers an excellent view after climbing up, but the prerequisite is that you must have great courage and physical strength. During the climb, you can browse information about Japan's 100 Selected Lighthouses. There is also a display hut next to the lighthouse that explains the history and operation procedures of the lighthouse. A visit here is definitely worthwhile.

Very beautiful view! It is advisable to go in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat. Not many people come here during weekday, so it was nice to to have the whole place for yourself. There is a trekking path nearby if you want to enjoy the view of the sea. The lighthouse has 6-7 floors, the last stair was really scary to climb. But it is worth climbing to the top. Beautiful view with breezing wind. There are some restaurants and cafes nearby too.

Iconic place. You can climb the lighthouse and the view from there is awesome.

It’s a nice lighthouse but beware of the snakes and jojo spiders on the way up.

Definitely worth seeing. Lots of local history here and pares well with visiting Izumo Taisha. Totally baby friendly. You can use their free strollers. There is a nursing room. There is also a play corner for kids. The cafe inside was also delicious!

Tranquil and well organized museum. Very friendly staff, ready to help out in English. English audio option is a bit limited, especially in the stories of myth section (which I have the most interest in). Cafe Maru at L2 offers generous portion of delicious food (I was tempted to try their dessert, but was too full!). The cafe has great view, making the meal more enjoyable.The area surrounding is beautiful, great for taking a stroll. If you want to enjoy the view but tired of walking, go to L3, there are two benches facing the outdoor. If you exit from the west gate, there is a shortcut to Izumo Taisha, covered with well trimmed bonsai and flowers (save the trouble of walking up hill)

Quite a large and comprehensive museum about the history of ancient Izumo and the surrounding area. Definitely worth a visit for anyone who likes history and culture. Foreign visitors can get a discount after showing their passport or other document. Some panels have English, and most videos have English subtitles. It is located very close to Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. There's is a small cafe and museum shop located inside.

Great museum to know more about Izumo Taisha. Introducing the past of the shrine, history of Japan in general, some mythologies in the world. The content are rich and there are some video sessions intriguing the mythology stories and history in Shimane and Izumo. And the beautiful garden outside is also relaxing.

You can see the evidence of ancient huge shrines pillars here. It can be possible to build huge shrine with only woods. And excellent view from the cafe is also recommend.

Although Shimane prefecture has a sensitive political dispute with Korea, the exhibits were pretty much objective and the staff were nice, which made me feel pacifist vibes are mainstream in the civilian sector. A cool 358 piece bronze dagger that was found at once was displayed in the exhibit room, and that also indicates Korea and Japan were linked tightly and friendly back in the ancient days (the style of dagger is only found in Korean peninsula and Japan). Many cool archaeological stuff are there.

Great to understand the architecture of the Izumo Shrine, and how are the differences among other Shrines in Japan. Plus the bronze wares found in ancient Izumo, and the fairy tales of the Izumo. Great to spend some time here and the entrance fee has 50% discount for visitors.

One of Japan's most ancient and revered shrines. The grounds are quite spacious and contains quite a large number of buildings/structures. If you like Shinto architecture, you will no doubt enjoy the beautifully curved lines of the cedar rooves. Although many shrines display large and beautiful ropes, those at one of the buildings in the compound are definitely the largest I have ever seen. The atmosphere is very serene, and it is well worth a side-trip if you are in Shimane.

The Izumooyashiro is amazing. The place is clean, quiet and beautiful. The handmade gigantic rope hanging over the jinsha is a wonderful sight, you will simple be amazed by the work of Japanese people. And it is quite easy to go there by local train, the minus point will only be, as the local train only runs 1 or at most 2 per hour, you better check the local train timetable carefully (especially if you travelled with JR like me), and reserved enough time as you need to buy separate train tickets to visit the oyashiro.

One of Japan’s most impressive shrines — said to be the second largest in the country. The scale is grand and awe-inspiring, yet the grounds feel calm and spacious. Fewer tourists than Kyoto’s big-name sites make for a more peaceful experience. A must-visit if you're in the Izumo region.

Come and visit. No need to describe what you can feel in the place. Before you can read about the rules of the temple and treat everyone with respect.

Legend has it that eight million gods hold an annual meeting here. There are four torii gates. The largest torii made of white stone is located at the end of the road in front of Izumo Taisha Shrine, the black wooden torii is located at the front of the road, the iron torii is inside Izumo Taisha Shrine, and the copper torii is closest to the shrine. It takes at least 10 minutes to walk to the shrine from the outside road. Dedicated to Okuninushi, Izumo Taisha Shrine covers a huge area and is very comfortable to walk in. It is definitely a shrine that cannot be missed among Japanese shrines. What is special is that the way of worship here is different from other shrines in Japan. The way of worship here is two bows, four claps, and one bow.

I was finally able to visit Izumo Taisha Shrine, which I had longed to do. You will probably be more impressed if you read a book on Japanese mythology and gain some background knowledge, since this is a god who appears in the Kojiki 古事記 and Nihon Shoki 日本書紀.

Izumo Taisha is a magical destination for anyone seeking love or connection. Dedicated to Okuninushi, the deity of marriage, this ancient Shinto shrine in Shimane exudes a serene, spiritual vibe. The towering main hall and massive shimenawa rope are awe-inspiring, while the enmusubi (matchmaking) prayers create a hopeful atmosphere. I offered a prayer for meaningful relationships and bought an enmusubi charm as a keepsake. The grounds buzz with stories of couples finding love here. Despite some crowds, the experience was uplifting, leaving me inspired by the shrine’s romantic legacy. A must-visit for love-seekers!

This temple truly feels like a beloved place for the local community rather than a tourist destination. Few visitors come just for the sightseeing, which adds to its serene, authentic atmosphere. The approach to the temple is lined with a majestic, almost intimidating presence that sets a sacred tone even before you arrive. Dedicated to a deity of sight, it holds a special place in the hearts of those seeking blessings for their sight. A quiet and powerful spiritual place.

The autumn color is beautiful. Parking space is plenty but costs 500 Yen. Please also note that no tripod or monopod is allowed inside and the distance between parking area and the entrance is 15 plus minutes walk uphill.

Very beautifu Templo

The people in the temple were kind.

Peaceful

One of the most amazing beautiful view all over the Matsue Lake

Quiet temple