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Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine was one of the most important cultural stops on our 23 day slow regional train journey through western Japan. We only stayed one night in Izumo, but that was enough time to visit the shrine, wander the approach street and continue onwards to Matsue the next morning.
Izumo Taisha, also known as Izumo Ōyashiro, is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines. It is often considered one of the oldest shrines in Japan, and the official shrine access page lists its location in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.
For us, the appeal was not just its history. It was also the atmosphere. Compared with the famous shrine and temple stops in Kyoto, Nara or Tokyo, Izumo Taisha felt calmer and far less crowded with international tourists. It still had plenty of Japanese visitors, but it never felt like the big tourist trail.
Why Visit Izumo Taisha?
Izumo Taisha is an incredible shrine and one of the most meaningful places we visited in Japan. The grounds are large, peaceful and atmospheric, with forested paths, smaller shrine buildings and the famous huge shimenawa sacred rope.
This is not a hidden place, but it does feel different from Japan’s more obvious tourist-heavy shrines. It has weight, history and space to breathe.
If you are travelling through western Japan, Shimane Prefecture, Matsue or Izumo, we think it is absolutely worth making time for.
Where We Stayed in Izumo
We arrived at JR Izumoshi Station and stayed at Super Hotel Izumo Ekimae.
The hotel was very close to the south entrance of the station, which made it easy for a one-night stop. It also had a free two-hour drinks bar in the evening, including a surprisingly good range of sake, and a very good breakfast the next morning.
For visiting Izumo Taisha, staying near Izumoshi Station worked well because both the bus and train options are nearby.
How to Get to Izumo Taisha from JR Izumoshi Station
The easiest way to get from JR Izumoshi Station to Izumo Taisha is by bus.
From JR Izumoshi Station, take the Ichibata Bus bound for Izumo Taisha / Hinomisaki. The official Izumo Taisha English access page says to take the bus from bus stop number 1 and get off at Seimon-mae, which takes about 25 minutes.
This is the simplest option because it gets you close to the shrine entrance without needing to change trains.
Useful Bus Pass for Matsue and Izumo
If you’re visiting both Matsue and Izumo, it’s worth checking the local 3-day bus pass. It allows you to ride the Ichibata Bus and Matsue City Bus freely for three days, which can be useful if you’re using buses around Matsue and travelling out to Izumo Taisha.
You can find the English PDF here: https://matsue-bus.jp/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/English.pdf
At the time of our visit, the pass was available from places including the Matsue City Traffic Office and Twin Leaves Hotel Izumo.
You’ll need your foreign passport, and if you have an ICOCA card, bring it with you because it can make the pass cheaper.
Can You Get to Izumo Taisha by Train?
Yes, you can also get there by train using the Ichibata Electric Railway.
From Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station, take the Ichibata Electric Railway and change at Kawato Station for the train to Izumotaisha-mae Station. From there, it is a short walk to the shrine approach.
This route is slightly more involved than the bus, but the local trains are part of the charm in this region. If you enjoy small regional railways, it’s a nice way to travel.
One important note: on our trip, IC cards were not accepted on the Ichibata Electric Railway, so we bought a paper ticket at the office.
How to Get to Izumo Taisha from Matsue
If you are staying in Matsue, you can reach Izumo Taisha by using the Ichibata Electric Railway from Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station.
The railway connects Matsue and Izumo, and you can travel towards Izumotaisha-mae with a change along the way. It’s not the fastest transport in Japan, but it is scenic, relaxed and very fitting for this part of the country.
We travelled the opposite direction the next day, from Izumo towards Matsue, and the ride along the lake was delightful.
How to Get to Izumo Taisha from Hiroshima
You can also visit Izumo from Hiroshima by long-distance bus.
The official Izumo Taisha access page lists Hiroshima Bus Center to JR Izumo City Station as around 3 hours. From JR Izumo City Station, you then take the Ichibata Bus to Izumo Taisha, which takes about 25 minutes.
That makes Izumo Taisha possible from Hiroshima, though we’d personally rather stay overnight if you have the time. It gives the shrine more breathing room and avoids turning the day into a transport mission.
Walking the Approach to Izumo Taisha
After getting off the bus, make your way towards the Izumo Taisha Grand Gate of Seidamari, then follow the shrine approach through the third torii and onwards to the Bronze Torii, the fourth torii. When you leave the shrine area, look back down the main street and you’ll see the large torii at Uga Bridge in the distance.
The street has places to eat, drink and buy souvenirs, so don’t rush straight in and out. It’s a pleasant shrine town atmosphere and worth giving a little time.
Coffee Near Izumo Taisha
We stopped at Taisha Coffee, which had a cosy atmosphere, friendly staff and good coffee. The upstairs seating was especially nice, overlooking the street below.
It made a perfect pause after visiting the shrine before heading back towards Izumo city.
Eating Back Near Izumoshi Station
Back in Izumo city, we ate at Sukiya Izumoshi Station South.
It wasn’t fancy, but Sukiya is a Japanese staple: quick, cheap, reliable and very useful after a travel day. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
How Long Do You Need for Izumo Taisha?
You can visit Izumo Taisha as a day trip from Matsue or as part of a longer journey through western Japan.
We stayed one night in Izumo, and that felt right for us. It gave us enough time to arrive by regional train, visit the shrine, stay close to the station and continue to Matsue the next morning without rushing.
If you are coming from Hiroshima, we’d consider staying overnight rather than trying to squeeze everything into one long day.
Is Izumo Taisha Worth Visiting?
Yes, Izumo Taisha is absolutely worth visiting.
It is one of Japan’s most important shrines, but it doesn’t feel overrun in the way some famous shrine and temple areas can. For us, that made it even more special.
If you want a meaningful cultural stop in Japan without the overwhelming tourist crowds, Izumo Taisha is a brilliant place to add to a western Japan itinerary.
Izumo is well worth adding as a short stop along the way. We only stayed for one night, but it fitted perfectly into our 23 day slow train route through western Japan.
A 23 day Japan slow travel itinerary by train, following the San-Yo and San-In Line from Fukuoka to Tottori before heading south to Okayama.
