Izumo Taisha and Hinomisaki One Day Course

No trip to Izumo is complete without pairing the famous matchmaking shrine of Izumo Taisha with the coastal scenery of Hinomisaki, about twenty minutes away by car. You walk a path steeped in myth, pause on a white sand beach, and close the day with the sun sinking into the Sea of Japan. The walking distances are gentle, making this an ideal route for a first visit to Izumo.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Izumo Taisha Begin at the great torii gate at Seidamari. The approach here is unusual because it slopes downward through an avenue of pines. After the purification fountain, head toward the worship hall and the main hall. Worship itself carries no fee, so you can pray in the clear morning air.

10:30 Kagura Hall and grounds Admire the thick rope hanging at Kagura Hall. The great sacred rope across its front measures about thirteen meters and weighs 5.2 tons, a powerful sight that symbolizes Izumo Taisha. Explore the treasure house and smaller shrines within the grounds at leisure, and the Goen Yokocho lane beside the approach is a good place to try local soba or sweet red bean zenzai.

11:30 Inasa Beach Walk west from the shrine to reach Inasa Beach, said to be where the gods are welcomed each autumn. Look out at the small island of Benten and watch visitors gathering a little sand to carry home. It is about a fifteen minute walk from the shrine.

13:00 Travel to Hinomisaki and lunch Take a car or bus to Hinomisaki. The local bus from the shrine to Hinomisaki takes about twenty minutes. Enjoy fresh squid and seafood at a seaside eatery.

14:00 Hinomisaki Shrine and lighthouse Visit the vivid vermilion Hinomisaki Shrine, then follow the coastal path to the Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse. This white tower is the tallest stone lighthouse in Japan, standing 43.7 meters (44 meters to the top of the structure). It is open for climbing, and the viewing donation is around 300 yen for junior high age and up, free for children.

16:30 Watch the sunset End the day watching the sun set beyond the cliffs and the small island offshore.

Highlights

The main hall of Izumo Taisha and the great sacred rope at Kagura Hall are the clear centerpiece. At Hinomisaki, the contrast of the red shrine against the blue sea and the white lighthouse overlooking the Sea of Japan leave a lasting impression. On a clear evening the sun turns the sea to gold.

Access and Tips

The Izumo Taisha Mae station on the Ichibata Railway is the handiest gateway to the shrine. Buses from the shrine to Hinomisaki take around twenty minutes but run infrequently, so check the timetable in advance. If sunset is your goal, plan to arrive at Hinomisaki in the late afternoon and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Practical Travel Notes

Time Needed Allow ninety minutes to two hours to worship and stroll the grounds of Izumo Taisha, an hour for the round trip to Inasa Beach, and about two hours for lunch and the shrine and lighthouse at Hinomisaki, and you can spend the day at ease right up to sunset.

Getting There Izumo Taisha Mae Station on the Ichibata Railway is nearest to the shrine, and buses also run from JR Izumoshi Station. From the shrine to Hinomisaki the local bus takes about twenty minutes, but service is limited, so confirm the round trip times first. Traveling by car frees you from the timetable and lets you move flexibly until sunset.

Fees and Budget Worship at Izumo Taisha is free. The viewing donation for the Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse is around 300 yen for junior high age and up, free for children. Even with lunch and transport, a day stays within a modest budget.

Crowds and Enjoying the Sunset Izumo Taisha is quietest early in the morning. Sunset times shift greatly with the season, so look up the day of your visit before building your bus schedule to Hinomisaki. To linger at Hinomisaki, eat lunch early and save your time for the lighthouse and coastal path.

A Quick Tip

To linger at Hinomisaki, eat lunch early and save your time for the lighthouse and coastal path. Sunset times shift greatly with the season, so look up the day of your visit before locking in your bus schedule.

• Contact: Izumo Taisha Shrine Office 0853-53-3100 (main line) / Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse (Tokokai Izumo Hinomisaki Branch) 0853-54-5341 / Ichibata Bus Izumo Office 0853-21-2466