A TRIP TO THE HEART OF
THE SAN'IN REGION

The healing Buddha, said to heal "eye diseases" and to grant "children's healthy growth", has long been worshiped from all over Japan. You can try Zen meditation and stay at the Western style private cottage located within the premises. It has magnificent view from the peak including Lake Shinji and mountains like Izumo-fuji and Daisen.

You can see the beautiful old houses of merchant and pedigree family from Edo and Meiji Era. Some activities such as soy sauce brewery guided tour and Japanese sake tasting are available. A precious area where you can see the original Japanese townscape.

This shrine is located on the site where, according to ancient legends, the god Susanoo no Mikoto chose to spend eternity, surrendering his body and becoming one with the natural environment. His spirit is believed to pervade the entire valley where the shrine stands. Although Susanoo is also enshrined on the grounds of the more famous Grand Shrine at Izumo (Izumo Taisha), Susa Jinja has long been considered his true shrine, despite its relative modesty. According to mythology, Susanoo defeated an eight-headed snake demon named Yamata no Orochi and discovered a miraculous sword in its tail. He claimed the princess Inata as his wife, and began searching for a place to build a palace. Upon arriving at the valley, Susanoo said to the princess, “This place fills my heart with ease and refreshment. Let us give it my name and settle here.”

The Shrine Location
According to historical records, Susa Jinja was moved to the present site from its original location on a nearby hillside, and has been rebuilt and modified many times over the centuries. The shrine is laid out parallel to the Susa River, which runs next to it and delineates the site. A special black-lacquered ceremonial bridge intended for the use of dignitaries once spanned the river. In addition to the main hall (honden), which is considered the house of the god, the shrine precincts include several smaller shrine buildings and other structures. A shrine to the goddess Amaterasu Omikami, Susanoo’s older sister, stands opposite the honden, a short distance away.

The Entrance to the Shrine
Visitors to Susa Jinja first pass through the Zuijin-mon, a small roofed wooden gate that houses a pair of protective lion-like guardian figures (komainu) painted in gold and other bright colors. The path then passes between a set of minor shrine buildings on either side, and arrives at the haiden, an enclosed prayer hall located in front of the honden. Prayers and offerings are customarily made here. Like most shrines built in this style, this one has a long, roofed staircase leading from the haiden to the honden, which only shrine priests are permitted to ascend. All others must go around to the side to view the honden.

The shrine site is heavily wooded, with only narrow pathways to either side of the honden, so the initial view of the 12-meter-tall building is surprising. Visitors must crane their necks to get a full view in the narrow space, which increases the visual impact. A honden of similar design, but twice as tall, was built here in the 1500s; the current structure dates from the nineteenth century.

Built in the Style of the Grand Shrine
The honden is raised on high wooden pillars in a style called taisha-zukuri (Grand Shrine style), modeled after Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, and is built of unpainted cedar wood. The roof is covered with cedar shingles, and features customary shrine decorations called katsuo and chigi on its ridge. The former are tapered cylinders laid horizontally, while the latter are crossed wooden members that rise in a V-shape from the ends of the roof ridges. The honden is surrounded by a handsome fence of cedar boards, and though there are small gates on each side, visitors are not allowed to enter. According to Shinto belief, the inner precincts are concealed from human view in order to protect the gods from the shock of our ugliness and imperfections.

Behind the honden is a giant cedar tree called Ohsugi-san. It is over 2 meters in diameter and, at more than 30 meters high, is the tallest cedar tree in the region. Historical records suggest that it is over 1,300 years old, making it an honored ancient living being. Its gnarled roots snake across the ground, and many worshippers come to touch them and make offerings to the spirit of the tree.

The Seven Wonders of Susa Jinja
Susa Jinja is known for its legendary “Seven Wonders,” including a well, called Shionoi, which produces salt water and was believed to mysteriously connect to the distant ocean. Other wonders included a cherry tree called Kagenashi-zakura, which did not cast a shadow, and a pine tree called Aioi-no-matsu that exhibited both male and female genders. Fallen oak leaves with holes recall another wonder: an oak tree and a pine tree that sprouted after Princess Inata gave birth and wrapped the afterbirth in oak leaves tied with pine needles. The Amatsubo, a grass-filled hole in a stone in a nearby rice paddy, was said to create a flood if it was disturbed. Horses called shinme, believed to be the steeds of the gods, were once kept at the shrine, and would predict disasters by turning white. The final wonder is the hoshi-namera, white spots that frequently appear on patches of rock on the mountainsides across the Susa River. The number of visible white spots is believed to foretell the quality of the harvest.

This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.

"Ou" is the center of politics and culture in the ancient Izumo no kuni. The six shrines including "Yaegaki" and "Kumano" located in Ou area are all closely connected to Izumo no kuni no Miyatsuko and are said to have been worshiped from ancient times.

Yaegaki Shrine enshrines a hero and his wife (Inata-hime), together known as Susanoo no mikoto. Legend says the hero protected his future wife from the giant snake Yamata no orochi. "Kagami no Ike" pond is a popular spiritual spot and offers visitors a chance to predict the prospects of marriage.

Kumano Taisha is the most important provincial shrine in the ancient Izumo no kuni and enshrines deity Susanoo no mikoto. It is said Susanoo no mikoto gave a comb to Princess Inada at the time of her engagement ceremony.

The grand head shrine of Ebisu, the god of good fortune. Many people visit the shrine together with Daikoku at Izumo Taisha, the grand shrine where local people have long worshiped deities. The town in the area flourished as a port for many vessels.

Zuikozan Kiyomizudera is a Buddhist temple in an isolated mountain glen in the eastern part of the city of Yasugi. The temple is reached by a long stone stairway through the forested valley, spanned by weathered gates and flanked at key points by stone lanterns. The temple’s main hall, three-story pagoda, and other structures are built on terraces connected by the long stone stairway. A 1,000-year-old cedar tree dominates the approach to the main hall.

The Legend of Kannon
Zuikozan Kiyomizudera belongs to the Tendai sect of Zen Buddhism; people come here to pray for relief from bad luck. According to legend, the mountain where the temple stands was once an eerie forest where a supernatural shaft of light would appear at night, frightening local villagers. An itinerant priest named Sonryu was asked to discover the source of the light, and while he was searching deep in the forest, an old man appeared before him. The old man said that he had been worshipping Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, for many years, but was ready to move on to the next life, and was searching for someone to continue his practice. Sonryu agreed to take on the task, whereupon the old man presented him with a sacred statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The priest built a simple thatched hut to enshrine the statue, and though the mountain was devoid of water sources, after a week of secret praying, a spring of clear water appeared nearby. This was the origin of Zuikozan Kiyomizudera, which to this day is devoted to Kannon. The name of the temple comes from these two miraculous occurrences: zuiko means “fortunate light,” and kiyomizu means “clear water.”

Imperial Patronage
Historical records seem to indicate that the temple was founded in 587, but the actual date is uncertain. It was fortunate to receive the patronage of Empress Suiko soon after its founding, and later from powerful regional lords. At its peak it had 48 buildings, though now it has fewer than 10. The first large main hall (konpondo) at the temple was built prior to 1393 and was enlarged several times over the centuries. It is built of cedar, and contains a devotional statue of Kannon of unknown date which is usually kept hidden inside an elaborate lacquered cabinet. Statues of the four Shitenno divine guardians that were made during the Heian period (794–1185) stand on either side. When reconstruction was done on the konpondo in 1992, research confirmed that the current building is the fifth and largest to stand in this location.

A three-story pagoda dating from 1859 stands on a high stone terrace a short distance away. It is constructed of hard zelkova (keyaki) wood, which is not often used in this region for pagoda construction. While the local carpenter who built it was not trained in pagoda construction, his skill can be seen in the intricately carved dragons peering out from between the brackets under the eaves. Visitors are allowed to climb to the uppermost story, which is usually not allowed in Japan. A modern treasure house (hozo) displays important artwork and ritual artifacts belonging to the temple, and Zen meditation is practiced at the konpondo.

This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.

Gassan Toda Castle, a historic fortress, served as a major political and cultural center in Izumo Province, particularly during the Warring States period (1467–1615). It is a prime example of a yamajiro (mountain castle), with the slopes and peak securely configured with separate stone-walled enclosures. A palace was built roughly midway up the mountain, while the most defensible ward was at the top. Although the castle was never destroyed in a conflict, only its stone walls and other relics remain as part of a well-maintained park.

Under Siege
The first structures of Gassan Toda Castle are believed to have been built during the twelfth century. From 1439 to 1566 it was the seat of the powerful Amago warlords, and was regarded as the most impregnable castle in Japan. Under Amago rule the fortress was expanded, and the castle town along the river at the base of the mountain prospered, supporting a population of 10,000 people. Beginning around 1470, Gassan Toda Castle was the target of repeated attacks by rival warlords. Although many direct attacks were successfully repelled, the Amago clan ultimately succumbed after a year-long siege in 1566, opening the castle gates in surrender. The castle was later abandoned when Horio Tadaharu (1599–1633), daimyo of the Matsue domain, relocated his headquarters from Gassan Toda Castle to the newly constructed Matsue Castle in 1611.

The Clever Use of Topography
The layout and design of the castle took advantage of the natural topography of the mountain and its riverfront site for optimal security, with the castle town sited on the narrow strip of land between the Toda River and Mt. Gassan as the first line of defense. Major attacks were expected to be primarily river-borne, so the town housed hundreds of samurai warriors in walled compounds. A wide moat isolated the town from the mountain and castle, and four gates in the walls controlled access to the main enclosures. Unfortunately, a large flood destroyed much of the town in 1666, and almost nothing of the original castle town remains today.

Zones of Defense
The castle was divided into two primary zones. The lowermost zone made use of the broad, relatively gentle lower slopes. The uppermost zone occupied the narrow ridge of the steep 190-meter-high summit. The two zones were separated by a steep slope, and ascent was limited to a single, well-defended path with seven switchbacks.

The zone at the summit had three stone-walled wards in a line along the ridge. The first is believed to have had a three-story defensive tower and a single secure gate, while the third and highest enclosure, the honmaru main ward, was separated from the others by a steep natural ravine. Further along the ridge, at the very summit of the mountain, is the Katsuhitakamori Shrine, the castle’s guardian shrine (though it is believed to predate the castle). The view from these summit enclosures encompasses a broad east-to-west sweep, including Lake Nakaumi and the Sea of Japan to the north and Mt. Daisen to the east.

In the lower zone, many of the relatively flat areas were transformed into isolated walled terraces separated by natural ravines and connected by footpaths. The largest and most significant of these enclosures was located roughly halfway up the mountain. The main palace buildings were located here, well defended by high stone walls with turrets and only approachable through a single secure roofed gate.

A Detailed Model of an Unusual Castle
Following its abandonment in 1611, the castle site largely reverted to nature, with many of its flat terraces used for agriculture over the following years. Hundreds of years later, in 1934, it was designated a National Historic Site, and in 2006 it was selected as one of the 100 best castles in Japan. The growing interest in Gassan Toda Castle led to the establishment, in 2014, of a large-scale restoration and maintenance program that was completed in 2019. The Yasugi City Historical Museum, located at the entrance to the castle site, has a large, detailed model of Gassan Toda Castle and the castle town as well as artifacts, maps, and other historical materials.

This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.

To this day, the shrine has been worshiped by "Tatara craftsman" and people in the iron industry. Built in 1881, the guard frame of the shrine is said to be the tallest stone-built frame in Japan.

For 270 years, the twin towers of Yonago Castle dominated their surroundings from atop Mt. Minatoyama. The castle was built in stages beginning in the late fifteenth century, and reached close to its final form in 1602 as the headquarters of the Nakamura clan. The site was unusual: a small promontory that jutted into Lake Nakaumi to the west and overlooked a fertile plain to the east that extended all the way to the foothills of Mt. Daisen. The Shinkamo River formed a natural barrier to the south, and wide manmade moats helped isolate the entire castle. The location was selected for defense against both overland and waterborne attacks, though it never had to face an enemy.

Unusual Dual-Tower Design
Like most Japanese castles, Yonago was laid out as a series of walled enclosures or wards called kuruwa, and the higher they were, the more security they provided. The honmaru, or donjon, occupied the intricately stone-terraced pinnacle of Mt. Minatoyama, 90 meters above sea level. A large five-story tower (tenshukaku) was constructed on top of the massive sloped stone walls that formed the highest terrace, and a smaller four-story tower stood atop a similar stone terrace a short distance away. This dual-tower arrangement was quite unusual, and gave Yonago Castle a unique silhouette. Although nothing remains of the wooden castle buildings today, the uppermost terraces present an abstract composition of stone walls, slopes, and stairs. The view from the highest terrace encompasses the bustling city below with its rivers and bridges, Mt. Daisen in the distance, Lake Nakaumi, and northward to the Sea of Japan. The upper terraces are reached by a 15-minute climb along picturesque winding paths and stairs.

Independent Enclosures for Defense
The layout of Yonago Castle makes inspired use of the natural topography in other ways. A smaller hill called Inoyama, separated from the Minatoyama peak by a deep gully, was surmounted by a separate set of enclosures and defenses that acted as a secure lookout against attacks on the main castle. Other rises and elevated outcrops were similarly fortified and connected with the main enclosures only by footpaths. The largest and most notable of these enclosures was the Naizen Maru. Named after an important military adviser, it spanned a long ridge about midway up the mountain, with a good view of the lake, the castle’s lower levels, and the city. The Ofunade Kuruwa (ship harbor enclosure) housed a naval detachment, including wharves, boathouses, residences for sailors and boatmen, and related facilities. This was an unusual feature for a Japanese castle.

Palace of the Lord
The lowest walled levels of the castle were the ninomaru (second ward) and the sannomaru (third ward). The latter occupied a wide area along the inner moat, and was separated into barracks, stables, rice granaries, a horse-riding ground, and offices for construction and other necessary functions. The ninomaru was laid out on two higher levels with high stone walls, guarded by a formidable gated enclosure called the masugata koguchi (square entrance). It was the site of the lord’s palace, with several connected buildings for living, reception, and other functions, as well as courtyards and gardens. The perimeter of Yonago Castle was protected by a district of walled samurai residences located between the inner and outer moats.

A National Historical Landmark
Yonago Castle passed through the hands of several lords. The Arao clan administered the castle from 1632 until 1869, when the feudal system was abolished by the Meiji government and most castles, including Yonago, were ordered to be destroyed. The castle site largely reverted to nature, and was eventually made into a park with athletic facilities, while the adjoining samurai district became Yonago’s main business and government district. The castle site was declared a National Historical Landmark in 2006; restoration work is ongoing.

This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.

Daisenji Temple was founded about 1,300 years ago by Shumpo from Izumo. The main hall was burnt down in 1928 and re-established in 1951. It contains many precious items including important cultural properties. Daisenji is known as a famous temple in the San'in region.

Tottori Prefectural Mukibanda Historical Park is a large public park devoted to the preservation, study, and appreciation of an important site containing prehistoric ruins. These date from the late Yayoi period to the early Kofun period (first century BCE–third century CE), and belong to a population center with hundreds of houses and other structures that reached its peak during the second half of the second century CE. This village was active several centuries prior to the introduction of writing from the Asian mainland, so its culture, technology, and trade contacts can only be reconstructed through archaeological investigation. The Yayoi ruins at Mukibanda are the largest settlement discovered from this era, and the historical park is both an archaeological research site and an educational resource.

From Stone Age to Iron Age
Mukibanda Historical Park contains the excavated ruins of approximately 950 buildings spread over seven closely connected districts. The site is a broad, gently sloping forested hillside at the foot of Mt. Daisen, overlooking the Yumigahama Peninsula. The first ruins were discovered here in 1931, and large-scale excavation began in 1997. Although the earliest ruins date from around 100 BCE, most date from around the third century CE. The use of stone tools was still dominant during this era in Japan, but remains of many iron tools have also been found, attesting to the fact that this era witnessed the great technological transition from the late Neolithic Age to the Iron Age. Fragments of a bronze mirror of Chinese origin, and glass beads and other trade goods, prove that Mukibanda was part of a far-flung trade network at this time.

Ancient Interior Designs
Most of the building remains have been reburied to protect them; there are signboards describing their size and other details. About 21 buildings have been reconstructed on their original sites. Nine of these are roughly circular pit dwellings (tateana) with the living space dug about one meter below the ground surface. Stout wooden posts were sunk vertically into the earth and connected with horizontal beams to form a structural frame. Saplings were laid diagonally and lashed to the frame to form the roof slope, then covered with reeds or other thatch, with openings at the peak to allow smoke to exit. Sheltered entranceways were also typical. Wide wooden boards were found at some excavation sites, suggesting that some buildings had much stronger roofs. Reconstruction experiments showed that these boards would have been able to support earthen roofs, and some examples have been reconstructed in this manner. Excavations usually uncovered the locations of fire pits, and these are included in the reconstructions, along with wide surrounding earthen shelves most likely used for the storage of daily goods. Some reconstructions have been left incomplete to show the construction process.

Storehouses for Grains and Valuables
Another common building type at Mukibanda was the raised storehouse. These were usually rectangular, and were raised about 2 meters off the ground. Wooden boards with holes in them were found, apparently so they could be lashed in place with rope to form secure walls. The reconstructions include this type, as well as others with walls made of woven cedar bark. Raising the storehouses off the ground helped deter rodents and protected the contents against rot from ground moisture.

Scratching the Surface of a Large Community
A large pit dwelling with walls and an unusual structure was discovered, and has been tentatively identified as a leader’s house. Approximately 39 stone-lined burial mounds have been excavated on-site as well, many of which have a distinctive pointed-corner design not found elsewhere in Japan. Although hundreds of building sites have been unearthed, experts believe they represent only about a tenth of the total number of buildings in the settlement, which extended far beyond the current park boundaries.

Yayoi-Period Life Exhibition
Mukibanda Historical Park has a visitor center called Yayoi Mukibanda Hall. The hall includes a museum with displays of tools, pottery, and other excavated artifacts, as well as informative dioramas showing activities like agriculture, tool making, and house construction. All aspects of Yayoi-period life are described, including food, clothing, ceramics, and trade. Workshop spaces host a wide range of activities, including Yayoi-style pottery- and tool-making. An archaeological exhibition center a short distance away shelters the excavated remains of three pit dwellings. For instructional purposes, these have been preserved in the state in which they were found. Visitors can learn excavation techniques at the outdoor excavation activity area.

This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.

It is said this shrine originated as a worship space for monks in Buddhist training.
＜Three No.1 in Japan＞
- 700-meter approach with natural stones
-Largest Gongen-zukuri (buildings) in Japan (National important cultural property)
-Beautiful, large-scale lacquered decoration