Excursion to Izumo and Matsue, Shimane

Hello, my name is Hamaca.
Well, today I would like to talk about “Excursion to Izumo and Matsue, Shimane”, my short trip to Izumo and Matsue in Shimane Prefecture for my 65th birthday.

Depart home

I turned 65 on January 21.
My wife gave me a short trip to Izumo and Matsue in Shimane Prefecture.
I am grateful and thankful to my wife who is helping me with the DIY of “Blue Art Hostel“, which I am preparing to open at home!

Well, we started from our home in Kitahiroshima-cho in a Hilux.

On the way to Iinan-cho – Shimoakana, we encountered a child wild boar taking a walk.
I wonder where they are going…

Susa Shrine

There is the Susa Shrine, a shrine for the repose of the soul of Susano-O-no-Mikoto (Susano-O-no-Mikoto).

The “Oosugi-san”, which is approximately 1,300 years old, is enshrined in the precincts of the shrine.
It has a divine atmosphere!

Izumo City – Susa Inn and Cafe “Susa no Wa” in Susa, Sada Town

Izumo City – You have arrived at the inn and cafe “Susa no Wa” in Susa, Sada Town!

I am at peace with the lovely view from my room at “Susa no Wa.”

Izumo Taisha Shrine (Shimane)

Looking toward the main shrine of Izumo-taisha from the front.

The official way of worshipping at Izumo-taisha Shrine is “two rei, four claps, one bow.

Now, in the precincts of Izumo-taisha Shrine, there is a stone statue of 66 adorable rabbits, inspired by the “Inaba-no-mo rabbit,” called the “Goshiai no Mikami Zo” (Goddess of Mercy), located to the southeast of the shrine office.

We also walked around and visited the shrine while interacting with the rabbits.

Soba Restaurant Okuni

Speaking of Izumo, “Izumo soba” is well known.

And it was at the very tasteful “Soba Restaurant Okuni” that I stopped.

I ordered the restaurant’s specialty, the “Enmusubi Set” ($7), which includes zenzai and soba noodles.

Unexpectedly, I was surprised that the soba and zenzai went very well together!

“Yushien“, a Japanese Garden

We are in Yushien, a Japanese garden in the village of peonies and ginseng in the country of Izumo.

Time passes quietly in the “Karesansui Garden,” which imitates a lakeside landscape.

Shogo KARIYAZAKI, a genius flower arrangement artist fascinated by peonies, will decorate the Japanese garden.

Known for his delicate yet bold style and unique sense of color, Mr. KARIYAZAKI’s works are displayed inside and outside the garden.

Once you have enjoyed a full tour of the Japanese garden, you can enjoy the afterglow at the teahouse “Ichibo”.

As the name suggests, this café offers a panoramic view of the garden’s ponds and springs.

Yunosuke no Yado Chorakuen

As a descendant of Yunosuke, Chorakuen protects Tamatsukuri’s hot springs and has a long and storied history that tells the stories of the people who lived during that time.

The Tamatsukuri Hot Springs were described in the “Izumo-no-kuni Shoki” as “the hot spring of the gods. Chorakuen is a ryokan that carries on the spirit of “Yunosuke,” the protector of the hot spring.

The history of Chorakuen is the history of Tamatsukuri Onsen itself.

Meals are served in a semi-private room.
The breakfast was delicious as well as the dinner!

I could taste the culture of onsen, the culture of Shimane, and the beauty of a good old Japanese ryokan.

Relax in the gentle hot water of the naves, feel the sound of the trees shaking and the sound of the birds singing, and just relax as you please.

Enjoy the afterglow of a stay where both the spirit and the nave become pure.

Current parking lot in the process of being worked on

We will continue to work diligently on preparations to open for business this year, April 2025.

Please also see this popular article.

See you soon!