basic information

Izumo Taisha is Japan's oldest shrine, constructed in a purely Japanese architecture style, called Taisha-tsukuri. The annual gathering place of Shinto's eight million kami ("Shinto gods"), Izumo Taisha is considered Japan's second most important shrine after Ise Jingu.

Izumo Taisha is dedicated to Okuninushi no Mikoto, the nephew of the Sun Goddess. Because Okuninushi is the kami of marriage, visitors clap their hands four times instead of just twice during their prayers, twice for oneself and twice for one's actual or desired partner.

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how to get there

Izumo Taisha is located in the outskirts of Izumo City, about one hour west of Matsue. Izumo's main railway station is called Izumoshi Station.

From Izumoshi Station

From the railway station, Izumo Taisha can be reached by either bus or train.

Buses depart from bus stop number one in front of Izumoshi Station roughly every 30 minutes. The bus ride to the shrine takes about 25 minutes, and a round trip ticket is available for 510 yen.

By Ichibata Railways, the shrine can be reached in about 20 minutes and for 480 yen. A transfer of trains is required at Kawato Station. The shrine is a five minute walk from the terminal station, Izumo Taisha-mae Station.

From Matsue

From Matsue, Izumo Taisha is most easily reached by Ichibata Railways:

Trains leave from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station and require about one hour to reach the shrine. One transfer of trains is required at Kawato Station. The one way fare is 790 yen. A one day pass for unlimited usage of Ichibata trains for 1500 yen comes slightly cheaper than two one way tickets.

An alternative route would be taking a JR train from Matsue to Izumoshi Station (25-40 minutes) and proceed to the shrine from there (see details above). This option is somewhat cheaper for Japan Rail Pass holders.

How to get to and around Matsue and Izumo

hours and fees

Hours:	Always open
Closed:	No closing days
Admission:	Free

travel community

Users who have been to Matsue: 75
Users who have been to Izumo Taisha: 48

2nd of 5 most visited sights in Matsue.
251st of 509 most visited sights nationwide.

Rating by users:		highly recommended (91/100, 28 votes)
Rating by staff:		recommended
Overall Rating:		best of Japan

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