5 Photogenic Scenic Spots in Shimane | Recommended Instagrammable Natural Landscapes

Shimane Prefecture is a little-known "treasure trove of photogenic" where a mystical world of myth and breathtaking spectacular scenery coexist. Many spectacular spots not yet known to many people lie dormant in this land. This time, we introduce five carefully selected photogenic spots in Shimane that make you want to post on Instagram!

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01 | Lake Shinji - A Breathtaking Sunset Reflection

Speaking of the king of Shimane's proud sunset spots, it's of course Lake Shinji. The "reflection," where the water surface mirrors the color of the sky, is truly a spectacular sight that seems to exist for Instagram.

Why Is It Photogenic? At dusk, the gradient sky, changing from orange to pink to purple, is perfectly reflected on the lake surface. The silhouette of Yomegashima Island creates a painting-like composition.

Best Time of Day and Season 30 minutes before to right after sunset. Autumn to winter, the air is clear, giving especially beautiful colors.

Photography Angle Shooting from a low angle right at the water surface makes the reflection of the sky and lake left-right symmetrical, for a spectacular shot.

Access About 15 minutes on foot from Matsue Station. The area around Sodeshi Jizo is a popular photography point.

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02 | Inasa no Hama - A Golden Sandy Beach Where Myth Dwells

Inasa no Hama, spreading right beside Izumo Taisha, is a sacred coast that became the stage of myth. The contrast of the vermilion torii of Benten-jima Island and the sunset creates an overwhelming photogenic look.

Why Is It Photogenic? The moment when Benten-jima floating in the sea becomes a silhouette against the bright-red sunset is somehow mystical and full of an otherworldly feel.

Best Time of Day and Season At dusk. Especially around October's Kamiarizuki, there are few people, and shooting in the silence is possible.

Photography Angle A balance composition placing Benten-jima on the left of the frame and seeing the sunset on the right is great. Including a person for a silhouette photo is also recommended.

Access About 15 minutes on foot from Izumo Taisha.

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03 | Oni no Shitaburui - A Deep-Green World of the Valley

A nationally designated Natural Monument in Okuizumo Town, Nita District. The fantastical valley woven by giant strangely shaped rocks and a clear stream is just like wandering into the world of Ghibli.

Why Is It Photogenic? The contrast of green moss and a clear, transparent stream, and the sight of sunlight filtering through the trees sparkling on the water surface, create a mystical atmosphere.

Best Time of Day and Season The time of day when the soft morning light streams in. The fresh greenery of May to June and the foliage of late October are especially recommended.

Photography Angle A low angle taking in the green of the trees reflected on the water surface guarantees a photogenic look. Expressing the water flow smoothly with a slow shutter is also fantastical.

Access About 20 minutes by car from Izumo-Minari Station on the Kisuki Line.

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04 | Hinomisaki - Sheer Cliffs and a White Lighthouse

Hinomisaki in Izumo City is a spectacular point woven by a white lighthouse and rugged cliffs. The white lighthouse, which boasts Japan's tallest height, is sure to look great against the blue sky and sea!

Why Is It Photogenic? The contrast of the pure-white lighthouse and the deep-blue sea is a refined beauty somehow reminiscent of Europe.

Best Time of Day and Season Morning to before noon when the blue sky spreads out. In summer especially, the blueness of the sea looks vividly great.

Photography Angle Express the vastness of the sky with a low angle looking up from the base of the lighthouse. Or a pulled-back composition capturing the lighthouse and sea together from the cliff is also great.

Access About 30 minutes by route bus from Izumo Taisha.

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05 | Mt. Sanbe - A Fantastical Morning Scene Floating in a Sea of Clouds

Mt. Sanbe, towering in Oda City, has a spectacular sea of clouds that occurs from autumn to winter. Looking down from the summit, you're enveloped in a sensation as if standing in the heavens.

Why Is It Photogenic? The moment when the sea of clouds and the morning sun at the summit overlap is truly a spectacular sight you want to see once in a lifetime. A fantastical gradient of light spreads out.

Best Time of Day and Season Early morning right after sunrise. Clear mornings after October to December have a higher occurrence rate for the sea of clouds.

Photography Angle A wide-angle composition putting the mountains poking their heads above the sea of clouds in the foreground is recommended. Capturing the sky, sea of clouds, and mountains all in a vertical composition conveys the grandeur.

Access About 30 minutes by bus from JR Oda-shi Station, then to near the summit by lift.

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It's precisely because the charm of Shimane's spectacular scenery hasn't fully been conveyed nationwide yet that there's a chance to take a special shot all your own! Do add it to your candidates for your next destination.

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\ Hashtags You Can Use for Social Media Posts /

`#ShimaneTrip` `#ShimaneSpectacularView` `#LakeShinjiSunset` `#InasaNoHama` `#HinomisakiLighthouse` `#MtSanbeSeaOfClouds` `#OniNoShitaburui` `#PhotogenicShimane` `#ShimaneSightseeing` `#TabitabiJAPAN` `#japantravel` `#shimane` `#japannature` `#SpectacularViewTrip` `#Photogenic`