Western Honshū
This tunnel into the silver mine has been widened substantially from its original size, and a guide helps bring it to life. One glance at the old tunnel, which stretches beyond the fence at the end of the accessible area, should make most people glad they weren't born as 17th-century miners.
Past the mine shaft, a hiking trail leads 12km to Yunotsu, following the old route along which silver was hauled to port.
25.27 MILES
Izumo Taisha, also known as Izumo Ōyashiro, is perhaps the oldest Shintō shrine in Japan. This shrine, dedicated to Ōkuninushi, god of marriage and…
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
25.22 MILES
Just to the right of Izumo Taisha's front gate, this informative museum contains modern exhibits on local history. These include reconstructions of the…
1.37 MILES
Crowded into two small caves at Gohyakurakan, there are 500 diminutive stone statues of the Buddha's disciples, each showing a different expression – some…
Izumo Cultural Heritage Museum
25.19 MILES
This cultural museum in the beautifully restored former home of the lords of Izumo, the Ezumi clan, is worth a visit if only to stroll around the pretty…
1.76 MILES
The lovingly restored Kumagai Residence was rebuilt in 1801 after an earthquake destroyed most of the town the previous year. The house belonged to a…
Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Centre
1.35 MILES
This centre has exhibits with explanations in English on the history of the mines and the surrounding area.
1.3 MILES
This touristy shrine is part of neighbouring Gohyakurakan, which contains 500 statues that were built to memorialise fallen silver-mine workers. Each…
1.82 MILES
The Iwami Ginzan Museum contains various documents, tools and silver-related items. It's inside the Ōmori Daikansho Ato (council offices), near the…
0.66 MILES
These stepped, stone remains of a silver-mine refinery, now delightfully overgrown with apricot trees and grass, have a pyramid-like appearance.
1.3 MILES
This touristy shrine is part of neighbouring Gohyakurakan, which contains 500 statues that were built to memorialise fallen silver-mine workers. Each…
3. Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Centre
1.35 MILES
This centre has exhibits with explanations in English on the history of the mines and the surrounding area.
1.37 MILES
Crowded into two small caves at Gohyakurakan, there are 500 diminutive stone statues of the Buddha's disciples, each showing a different expression – some…
1.76 MILES
The lovingly restored Kumagai Residence was rebuilt in 1801 after an earthquake destroyed most of the town the previous year. The house belonged to a…
1.82 MILES
The Iwami Ginzan Museum contains various documents, tools and silver-related items. It's inside the Ōmori Daikansho Ato (council offices), near the…
1.87 MILES
A shrine with a colourful dragon mural on its ceiling – to hear the dragon 'roar', stand underneath it and clap.
8. Izumo Cultural Heritage Museum
25.19 MILES
This cultural museum in the beautifully restored former home of the lords of Izumo, the Ezumi clan, is worth a visit if only to stroll around the pretty…