The healing Buddha statue is said to have the power to cure eye diseases and promote the healthy growth of children, and has been worshipped by people all over Japan since ancient times. There are western-style cottages on the premises, where you can stay overnight. The cottages offer a spectacular view of Lake Shinji and the mountains including Mt. Daisen.

You can see the beautiful town houses of wealthy merchants from the Edo and Meiji periods. There are also plenty of activities available, such as touring soy sauce breweries and sake tasting. This is a rare area where traditional Japanese townscapes remain.

According to the Izumo Fudoki, this shrine is the sacred site where Susanoo-no-Mikoto himself appeased his soul, and it is said to be the place where he sacrificed his body and became one with nature, and it is believed that his spirit resides in the entire valley in which the shrine stands. Susanoo-no-Mikoto is also enshrined at Izumo Taisha, but although Susa Shrine is not large in scale, it has long been revered as the place where the true spirit resides.

Location of the shrine
According to historical records, Susa Shrine was moved to its current location from its original location on a nearby hill and has been rebuilt and remodeled many times over the centuries. The shrine stands parallel to the Susa River, which flows alongside the shrine and also serves as the boundary of the site. The river was once spanned by a special black-painted ceremonial bridge intended for use by dignitaries. The grounds contain several small shrine buildings and other structures, including one dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, sister of Susanoo.

Entrance to the shrine
Visitors to Susa Shrine begin by passing through Zuishinmon, a small covered wooden gate beneath which a pair of guardian lion dogs painted in gold or other bright colors keep watch. After passing through Zuishinmon, visitors enter the Haiden, a closed chapel in front of the main hall, where prayers and offerings are customarily made first. Like many shrines built in this style, this one has a long covered staircase that only the priest can ascend from the Haiden; everyone else must go around to the side to see the main hall.

The shrine grounds are covered with scrub forest, and the first glimpse of the 12-metre-tall structure is overwhelming. To get the whole of the main hall in view in this small space, you have to crane your neck high, which makes for a much bigger visual impact. In the 1500s, a similar design and twice as tall main hall was built. The current main hall dates from the 19th century.

Taisha-zukuri style
The main hall is built in a style called taisha-zukuri, which is built on high wooden pillars and is modeled after Izumo Taisha, and is made of unpainted cedar wood. The roof is also covered with cedar planks, and the ridge is decorated with decorative katsuogi and chigi, which are common in shrines. Katsuogi are tapered columns laid horizontally, and chigi are crisscrossed wooden members that rise in a V-shape from the end of the ridge beam. The main hall is surrounded by a beautiful cedar board fence, and although there are small gates on either side, worshippers cannot enter. According to Shinto belief, the interior is hidden from human eyes, lest the gods be astonished to witness our ugliness and imperfections.

Behind the main hall is a giant cedar tree called Osugi-san, the tallest cedar tree in the area. According to historical records, the tree is over 1300 years old, and is revered as an ancient surviving tree. Its gnarled roots run across the ground like snakes, and many visitors touch them to make their prayers.

The 7 Wonders of Susa Shrine
Susa Shrine is known for the legend of the "Seven Wonders." These include the "Shionoi" well, said to be connected to the Sea of ​​Japan, which produces salt water; the "Shadowless Sakura" cherry tree, which is said to have no shadow; and the "Aioi no Matsu" pine tree, which represents male and female. Other wonders include the "Fallen Leaves of the Cypress Tree," which is said to have grown from the spot where Inadahime wrapped her placenta in an oak tree and tied it with pine leaves after giving birth; and the "Rain Pot," which is said to cause floods if handled roughly. The shrine also keeps a horse called the "Shinba," which is said to predict disasters by turning white. The last wonder is the "Hoshigake," a phenomenon in which white dots frequently appear on the exposed rock surfaces of the mountain slopes on the opposite side of the Susa River. It was believed that the number of white dots you could see would tell you what the next harvest would be like.

このEnglishText created by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

"Izumo" was the political and cultural center of the ancient Izumo Province. Six shrines, including Yaegaki Shrine and Kumano Taisha, are all closely related to the Izumo Kuni no Miyatsuko and are said to have attracted faith since ancient times.

Yaegaki Shrine enshrines a hero known as Susanoo-no-Mikoto and his wife, Inada-hime. According to legend, Susanoo-no-Mikoto protected his wife from the giant serpent Yamata-no-Orochi. The shrine grounds include Kagami-no-Ike Pond, a popular power spot where visitors can have their fortune told about love.

Kumano Taisha Shrine was an important shrine in the ancient province of Izumo and is dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, who, according to legend, gave a comb to Inada-hime on the occasion of their engagement.

This is the head temple of Ebisu. Along with Izumo Taisha, this is a historic shrine where local people have revered the god since ancient times. The towns in this area flourished as port towns where many ships docked.

Yasugi Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple located in a remote valley in the eastern part of Yasugi city. The temple is reached by a long flight of stone steps that lead through a forested valley. The steps are topped by a weathered gate and are lined with stone lanterns at key points. The temple's main hall, three-story pagoda, and other buildings are built on terraces connected by long stone steps. A giant Sennen Sugi tree stands tall on the approach to the main hall.

The legend of Kannon
Zuikozan Kiyomizu-dera is a Tendai Buddhist temple that is said to have the power to ward off bad luck. According to legend, the mountain on which the temple is located was once an eerie forest where a supernatural light shone at night, frightening the villagers. The villagers asked the traveling monk, Sonryu, to track down the source of this light. As Sonryu was searching deep in the forest, an old man appeared before him. The old man said that he had been a believer in Kannon for many years, but was ready to pass on to the afterlife and was looking for someone to continue worshiping Kannon in his place. When Sonryu accepted the offer, the old man presented him with a sacred statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon. Sonryu built a thatched hut to house the statue and placed it there. There was no water source on the mountain, but after he prayed secretly for a week, clear water began to spring up nearby. This was the origin of Zuikozan Kiyomizu-dera, which worships Kannon to this day. The temple's name comes from two miraculous events: Zuikou means "lucky light" and Seisui means "clear water."

Support from the Imperial Court
Historical sources indicate that the temple was founded in 587, but the exact date is uncertain. It was soon patronized by Empress Suiko and subsequently supported by powerful local lords. At its peak, the temple contained 48 buildings, but today there are fewer than 10. The first large main hall (Kondo) was built before 1393 and has been expanded many times over the centuries. The hall is made of cedar and contains a hidden statue of the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva. Surveys carried out during the reconstruction of the Kondo in 1992 confirmed that the current building is the fifth and the largest of its kind at the site.

The three-story pagoda stands at the top of a flight of high stone steps nearby. It is made from Zelkova, a hardwood not often used for pagoda construction in this region. The local carpenter who built it was not an expert in pagoda construction, but his skill is evident in the intricately carved dragons peeking out from between the brackets under the eaves. In Japan, it is not usually possible to climb to the top floor, but at Zuikozan Kiyomizu-dera, worshippers can. The temple grounds also include a modern treasure house, which displays precious Buddhist paintings and ritual implements handed down by the temple. Zen meditation is practiced in the Konpon-do Hall.

このEnglishText created by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Gassan-Toda Castle is a historic mountain castle that flourished as a major political and cultural center of Izumo Province (present-day Shimane Prefecture) especially during the Sengoku period. The castle is a typical example of a mountain castle, with a robust structure of multiple enclosures surrounded by independent stone walls on the mountainside and summit. A palace was built on the mountainside, and the most defensible enclosure was placed on the summit. Today, the stone walls and other remains have been maintained as a park.

Gassan-Toda Castle under siege
Gassan-Toda Castle's first structures are believed to have been built in the 12th century. It was the home base of the powerful Sengoku daimyo, the Amago clan, and was said to be the most impregnable castle in Japan. Under the Amago clan's rule, the fortifications were expanded and the castle town along the river at the foot of the mountain flourished, with a population of 1470. Around XNUMX, Gassan-Toda Castle became the target of repeated attacks by rival Sengoku daimyo. Although many direct attacks were repelled, the Amago clan eventually succumbed to the siege, surrendering and opening the castle gates. The castle was subsequently abandoned when the lord of Matsue, Horio Tadaharu, moved his base to the newly built Matsue Castle.

Clever use of the terrain
The structure and design of the castle made good use of the natural topography of the mountains and the riverbanks, making it the best defensive structure. The castle town was built on a narrow strip of land between the river and the mountains, and was the first line of defense. As large-scale attacks were expected to come mainly from the river, several hundred samurai lived in the town. In addition, a wide moat separating the town from the mountains and the castle, and a gate serving as an entrance to the castle, tightly controlled access to the main facilities. Unfortunately, a major flood occurred in 1666, destroying most of the castle town, and today there are few remains of the original structure.

Defense Zone
The castle was divided into two main enclosures. The lower enclosure is a large area at the base of the mountain that is at a lower elevation and has a relatively gentler slope. The upper enclosure occupies a narrow ridge with a steep summit at an elevation of 190 metres. A steep slope separates the two zones, and there is only one well-guarded road leading up to the castle, with a steep incline called the seven bends.

In the summit area, three stone-walled enclosures are lined up in a straight line along the ridge. The first is thought to have had a three-storey watchtower and a heavily guarded gate, while the third and highest enclosure, Honmaru, was separated from the others by a steep natural valley. Continuing along the ridge, you will come to Katsuhidakanokami Shrine at the top of the mountain. These enclosures offer views to the east and west, including Lake Nakaumi, the Sea of ​​Japan and Mt. Daisen.

The lower area had many relatively flat areas, but these were divided by natural valleys and turned into separate enclosures. The largest and most important of these was located roughly in the center of the mountainside, where a main hall was built and heavily guarded, surrounded by high, sturdy stone walls. The only entrance was a sturdy, covered gate.

A rare detailed model of a castle
After being abandoned in 1611, the Gassan-Toda Castle ruins were returned to nature, and the flat former enclosure area was used as farmland for many years. After several hundred years, it was designated a national historic site in 1934, and was selected as one of Japan's 2006 Great Castles in 100. In response to growing interest in Gassan-Toda Castle, a large-scale restoration project began in 2014 and was completed in 2019. The Yasugi City History and Folklore Museum, located near the entrance to the castle ruins, displays a large, detailed model of Gassan-Toda Castle and the castle town, and also houses artifacts, maps, and other historical materials.

このEnglishText created by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Even today, it attracts the faith of tatara craftsmen and people involved in the iron industry, and its magnificent large granite torii gate, built in 14, is the tallest in Japan.

For 270 years, Yonago Castle's twin towers overlooked the surrounding area from the top of Minatoyama. The castle was built in stages from the late 15th century, and took on its current form in 1602 as the base of the Nakamura clan. The castle's location was unusual, with a small promontory jutting into Lake Nakaumi to the west and a fertile plain stretching to the foot of Mt. Daisen to the east. The Shinkamo River formed a natural barrier to the south, and a wide, artificially dug moat isolated the entire castle.

Unique twin tower structure
Yonago Castle, like many other Japanese castles, was laid out as a series of walled enclosures called kuruwa. And the higher, the better the security. The castle tower was located at the top of Minatoyama at an altitude of 90 meters. A large, five-story castle tower was built on top of the massive stone wall that formed the highest kuruwa. A small, four-story castle tower was built on top of a similar stone wall a short distance away. This double-kuruwa structure was very rare and gave Yonago Castle a distinctive silhouette. Today, no wooden buildings remain, but the topmost kuruwa is an abstract landscape of stone walls, slopes and stairs. The view from the topmost kuruwa looks out over the bustling city below, the river and bridge, and in the distance, Mt. Daisen, Lake Nakaumi and the Sea of ​​Japan. The uppermost kuruwa can be reached by a beautiful, winding path and stairs in about 15 minutes.

Separate enclosure for defense
Yonago Castle's layout makes ingenious use of the natural terrain, and there are other ingenious features as well. At Iiyama, separated from the peak of Minatoyama by a deep valley, another series of enclosures and defenses were built, which served as watchtowers against attacks on the main castle. Similarly, other high ground and prominences were fortified, and connected to the main castle only by footpaths. Of particular note is Uchizenmaru, which stretches across a long ridge in the middle of the castle, offering a commanding view of the lake, the castle town, and the city. Meanwhile, Gofunatekuru housed facilities for the navy, including a dock, ship stores, and living quarters for sailors and rowers. It is said that castles with naval facilities were rare throughout Japan.

Palace
The lower levels of the Yonago Castle were Ninomaru and Sannomaru. Sannomaru occupied a vast area along the inner moat and contained barracks, stables, rice storehouses, riding grounds, and government offices for construction and other functions. Ninomaru was built on two elevated levels surrounded by high stone walls and was protected by a bailey with a sturdy gate called a Masugataguchi. This was where the lord's residence was located, and was connected to buildings for living, audiences, and various other functions, as well as courtyards and gardens. Yonago Castle was surrounded by a bailey for samurai residences located between the inner and outer moats.

National Historic Site
Yonago Castle passed through the hands of several feudal lords. From 1632, the Arao clan ruled the castle until the Meiji government abolished the feudal system and established prefectures. When the feudal system was abolished, many castles, including Yonago Castle, were ordered to be demolished. The castle ruins then fell into disrepair, but were eventually turned into a park, and the adjacent samurai residence district was transformed into Yonago's central shopping district and government office district. In 1869, the Yonago Castle ruins were designated a national historic site.

このEnglishText created by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The Yodoe area is blessed with fertile plains facing the Sea of ​​Japan and the foothills of Mt. Daisen. This area has been an important settlement area since prehistoric times. In 683 AD, Kamiyodo Temple Ruins was built in a small valley where the ancient tombs of influential people from the 5th and 6th centuries were located. However, the temple was destroyed by fire around the year 1000 and was never rebuilt. Excavations conducted since 1991 have uncovered the temple's foundation stones and many artifacts, and the site is now designated as a national historic site and is preserved. In 2011, a museum near the ruins of the temple was renovated and opened as the Kamiyodo Hakuho-no-Oka Exhibition Hall, where the story of the temple and the area is introduced through displays of a life-size replica of the main hall's worship space, as well as excavation findings and historical materials.

Remains of a devastating fire
The Kamiyodo Temple Ruins were built in the same period as Nara's Horyu-ji and Yakushi-ji temples in the 6th century. While these wooden structures remain to this day, the Kamiyodo Temple Ruins was destroyed in a major fire in the mid-Heian period and exists only in memory.

Excavations have revealed that the compact complex took advantage of its location in a valley. The layout was unusual, with three multi-storey towers aligned north to south, instead of the usual one or two. However, only two were completed before the fire. The large main hall housed a seated statue of Amida Nyorai, flanked by a pair of attendant bodhisattva statues. Thousands of fragments of these statues have been excavated and are on display. The fragments allowed experts to reconstruct the original statues in full size, which are now a highlight of the museum. Also unearthed were numerous burnt fragments of murals, which show that the walls of the main hall were covered with murals made with the same sophisticated techniques as those at Horyu-ji. Some of the murals have also been restored to their proper places.

このEnglishText created by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Daisenji Temple was founded by the monk Kinren of Izumo approximately 1300 years ago. The main hall burned down in 1928, but was rebuilt in 1951. Many valuable items, including important cultural properties, remain to this day, and the temple is known as a famous temple in the Sanin region.

Tottori Prefectural Mukibanda Historical Park is a vast public park with the purpose of preserving, studying, and displaying an important historical site. The historic site is the remains of a settlement from the middle Yayoi period to the early Kofun period, and at its peak there were hundreds of homes and facilities. The settlement flourished centuries before the introduction of writing from the Asian continent, and archaeological surveys have reconstructed the culture, technology, and trade of the time. The Mukibanda Yayoi settlement is the largest settlement site from this period discovered, and the historic park is both a place for archaeological research and an educational resource.

From the Stone Age to the Iron Age
Mukibanda Historical Park contains the excavated remains of around 7 buildings across seven districts. The site is located in a wide, gently sloping forested hillside at the foot of Mt. Daisen overlooking the Yumigahama Peninsula. The first ruins were discovered here in 950, and large-scale excavations began in 1931. The oldest remains date to around 1997 BCE, but most date to around the 3rd century CE. Stone tools were still predominant in Japan during this period, but many iron artifacts have also been found, indicating that this was a major technological transition from the Late Neolithic to the Iron Age. Trade goods such as Chinese bronze fragments and glass beads prove that Mukibanda was part of an extensive trade network at the time.

Ancient interior design
Most of the building remains have been filled in for protection, and signs have been installed with details such as size. About 21 buildings have been reconstructed in their original locations. Nine of these are roughly circular pit dwellings, with living spaces dug about one meter underground. Sturdy logs were placed vertically in the ground and connected with cross beams to create the framework of the building, and young trees were arranged diagonally and tied to the framework to create a sloped roof. Reeds and thatch were used as roofing materials to cover the roof, and a chimney was installed to allow smoke to escape. Eaves were generally installed above the entrance to protect from sunlight and rain. Some excavations have found wide wooden boards, suggesting that buildings with more robust roofs existed. Restoration experiments have shown that these wooden boards could have supported an earthen roof, and there are actually examples of such restorations. Excavations have found depressions that are thought to have been used for fires. Some of the restored buildings have recreated such fire marks. The surrounding wide earthen shelves, which were likely used to store household items, have also been restored, and some of the restorations are on display in their unfinished form to help convey the construction process.

A warehouse for storing grain and valuables
Another type of building commonly found at the Mukibanda ruins was the raised-floor storehouse. They were usually rectangular in shape and raised about 2 metres above ground level. Excavations have uncovered planks with holes in them, which could have been tied together with string to form walls. Some of the restored buildings have walls made from woven cedar bark, as well as plank walls like these. The raised floors helped to prevent corrosion caused by moisture from the ground, and also served to prevent the intrusion of rats and other pests.

Digging into the depths of a large community
A large walled pit dwelling and a unique structure were discovered, which is believed to be the leader's residence. Approximately 39 stone-built tombs have also been excavated at the site, many of which have distinctive angular designs that are unparalleled in Japan. Remains of hundreds of buildings have been excavated so far, but experts believe that this is only a small portion (about one-tenth) of the total number of buildings in the settlement, and that the settlement itself likely extended far beyond the current park boundaries.

Yayoi Period Life Exhibition
There is a visitor center called "Yayoi no Yakata Mukibanda." Inside the center, there is a museum that displays tools, pottery, and other excavated items, as well as dioramas that clearly explain agriculture, tool making, and dwelling construction. Every aspect of the Yayoi period is explained, including lifestyle, food, clothing, pottery, and trade. In addition, the workshop space offers various hands-on learning experiences, such as making Yayoi pottery and tools. A little further away, three pit dwellings found during excavations have been preserved as they were, allowing visitors to learn about the conditions at the time of excavation. There is also an outdoor excavation area where visitors can experience excavation techniques.

このEnglishText created by the Japan National Tourism Organization.

It is said that this shrine was originally established as a place of worship for Buddhist monks.
＜Three No. 3s in Japan＞
- 700m approach road paved with natural stone
- Japan's largest Gongen-style building (National Important Cultural Property)
- Stunning large lacquer decoration