basic information

Omori Town is a one and a half kilometer long stretch of houses, shops, temples, and shrines that runs along the river valley to the north of the mines. It used to house magistrates, merchants, and craftsmen who benefited from the nearby mines.

Today there are many historical sites interspersed among the homes of the town's current residents. Among them are the Former Government Office which has been restored as the Iwami Ginzan Museum, and numerous historical residences.

The largest and most spectacular of these is the Kumagai Family Residence near the Tourist Center in the north of town. Once the home of the leading merchant and town official, it has been restored to be an excellent example of a period household.

Iwami Ginzan Museum

Kumagai Family Historical Residence

Some of the shrines and temples in the area are particularly interesting. Kigami Shrine at the north end of town has a dragon painting on its ceiling that echoes like the roar of the dragon when you clap your hands under it.

Shogenji Temple looks fairly ordinary from the outside but inside houses a beautifully painted main hall and altar, and also has a small museum.

Gohyakurakan are 500 stone statues of Buddha's disciples housed in a series of man-made caves. Their postures and facial expressions run the entire gamut of emotions and are very interesting to see.

Gohyakurakan

Kigami Shrine

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how to get there

The central bus stop, Omori Daikansho (Omori Former Government Office), is served by the purple bus line to the mining area (5-8 minutes, every 15-30 minutes), the green bus line to the Iwami Ginzan parking lot (7 minutes, every 20-30 minutes) and by buses to the nearest railway stations (Oda-shi and Nima Stations).

A one-day bus pass for unlimited use of the purple and green bus lines is available for 500 yen.

Omori Town can also be reached on foot from the parking area: It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk to the town's southern end around the Gohyakurakan via a nature trail shortcut and an additional 15-20 minutes (without stops) to reach the town's northern end around the Former Government Office.

How to get to and around Iwami Ginzan

hours and fees

Iwami Ginzan Combination Ticket:
A combination ticket for admission to the Former Government Office, Kumagai Residence, Kawashima Residence, Gohyakurakan and the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft is available for 1500 yen. It comes with one coupon for each attraction and is valid for two days from purchase date.

Former Government Office (Iwami Ginzan Museum):
Hours: Daily 9:00 to 17:00, closed over New Year
Admission: 500 yen, covered by combination ticket

Kumagai Residence:
Hours: Daily 10:00 to 17:00, closed over New Year
Admission: 500 yen, covered by combination ticket

Kawashima Residence:
Hours: Daily 9:00 to 16:30, closed on Mondays and over New Year
Admission: 200 yen, covered by combination ticket

Gohyakurakan:
Hours: Daily 9:00 to 17:30
Admission: 500 yen, covered by combination ticket

Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft:
Hours: Daily 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 during winter), closed over New Year
Admission: 400 yen, covered by combination ticket

Shogenji Temple:
Hours: Daily 9:30 to 17:00, closed on Mondays and over New Year
Admission: 400 yen

travel community

Popularity of Omori Town:
Users who have been to Iwami Ginzan: 20
Users who have been to Omori Town: 13

2nd of 3 most visited sights in Iwami Ginzan.
436th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.

Ratings for Omori Town:

japan-guide.com Rating:		interesting
User Rating (by 6 users):	70/100	recommended

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