Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo

The Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo (“‡�ªŒ§—§ŒÃ‘ã�o‰_—ðŽj”Ž•¨ŠÙ, Shimanekenritsu Kodai Izumo Rekishi Hakubutsukan) is a museum dedicated to the history and archeology of Izumo Taisha and the Izumo region which has played an important role in Japan's early history. Located directly beside the grounds of the grand shrine, the museum showcases the region's story from pre-historic times through the building and evolution of the shrine, with a special focus on its construction, mythology and the people whom it served.

Among the most unique items on display are the remains of a massive pillar, over a meter in diameter, which has stoked ongoing speculation into how the shrine may have been constructed over 1000 years ago. Some records claim that the main shrine buildings were once built atop hundreds of enormous wooden pillars and reached heights of around 48 meters. The museum features large conceptual models of this massive ancient structure.

Also on display in the museum's permanent exhibition are hundreds of archeological artifacts excavated from the area, including bronze swords and bells, and Japan's only complete version of the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki, ancient historical and mythological reports of Izumo Province. In addition, temporary special exhibitions are held periodically at the museum.