bucket list checked off | Izumo Taisha Shrine, Tottori Sand Dunes and the White Heron

@Linna in Japan

Linna in Japanyoutubethe post

A family trip across Shimane, Tottori, and Hyogo prefectures, featuring a sleeper train, ancient shrines, historic castles, and the Tottori Sand Dunes.

4 plans · 13 places · 5 experiences

Plan · 6 places · Shimane, Japan

Sleeper Train to Izumo's Ancient Wonders

“Our trip started late at night, catching the Sunrise Izumo at Yokohama Station, then exploring Izumo in Shimane Prefecture, visiting the Izumo-Taisha Shrine and the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, before heading back to our hotel.”

1
Sunrise Izumo
Building · Izumo
Creator's voice
Catch the Sunrise Izumo at Yokohama Station for an overnight journey to Shimane, Tottori, and Hyogo. The NobiNobi Zaseki box offers sufficient room, and you'll wake up to a stunning sunrise, sometimes even snowy landscapes. Private rooms are available but tend to be fully booked.
Japan, 〒693-0013 Shimane, Izumo, Ogitochichō, 523-15 サンライズ
2
Tsukiyo-no-Usagi Inn by Dormy Hotels
Japanese inn · Izumo
4.4
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This Tatami-style hotel, also known as Rabbit in the Moonlight, requires you to keep your shoes in a shoes box upon entry. It offers very neat Japanese-style rooms and a private hot spring room large enough for four people, perfect for warming up after a cold day. They also offer free ice cream after your bath and a buffet dinner.
Tsukiyo-no-Usagi, 字本郷-1443-1 Taishacho Shurimen, Izumo, Shimane 699-0721, Japan
3
Aragiya
Shinto shrine · Izumo
4.6 (33,583)Closed · opens Monday 6:30 AM
Creator's voice
A great spot for lunch, serving Izumo Soba, one of Japan's three famous soba varieties. It's especially nice to have warm soup on a cold day.
Izumo Taisha, 195 Taishacho Kizukihigashi, Izumo, Shimane 699-0701, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Praying at Izumo-Taisha Shrine
It was on my bucket list to visit Izumo-Taisha Shrine, and it's a truly special place. Take your time to pray and soak in the atmosphere. My boy was really into it, too!
4
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
Heritage museum · Izumo
4.4 (57)
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Located right next to Izumo-Taisha Shrine, this museum features a 1/10 scale model of the main building of the Izumo Grand Shrine. It showcases many bronze implements, including 358 bronze swords thought to be from 2000 years ago, from the Yayoi Era. Free audio guidance is available.
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, 99-4 Taishacho Kizukihigashi, Izumo, Shimane 699-0701, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Ancient Crafts at Shimane Museum
At the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, you can experience how to open a hole on a stone using ancient methods and even try to create fire manually to melt metal. It's a fascinating hands-on way to connect with the Yayoi Era.
5
Izumotaisha-mae Station
Train station · Izumo
4.3 (731)
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This station is registered as a National Cultural Asset, making it a noteworthy stop even just for its architecture.
Izumotaisha-Mae Station, Taishachō Kizukiminami, Izumo, Shimane 699-0711, Japan
6
Yakumoan
Soba noodle shop · Matsue
4.1 (3,716)Open · until 1:30 PM
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Located along Matue Shiominawate, this restaurant was originally the house of Samurai Ooishi Gennai. The training hall has been turned into a soba restaurant, offering a second taste of Izumo Soba during the trip. It's situated right alongside the moat of Matsue Castle.
Yakumoan, 308 Kitahoricho, Matsue, Shimane 690-0888, Japan

Plan · 3 places · Matsue, Japan

Matsue Castle Town and Lake Shinji

“Passing through the famous Lake Shinji, we headed to Matsue Shinji Lake Hot Spring Station, had lunch at Yakumoan, visited the Matsue History Museum, and finally explored Matsue Castle.”

7
Matsue History Museum
Local history museum · Matsue
4.4 (409)Closed · opens Tuesday 9 AM
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This museum features Matsue town as a castle town, with very interesting displays of life in the Edo period. It's a great stop before visiting Matsue Castle.
Matsue History Museum, 279 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane 690-0887, Japan
8
Matsue Castle
Castle · Matsue
4.4 (1,768)Closed · opens Monday 8:30 AM
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One of Japan's National Treasures, Matsue Castle is a must-visit. Its interior has been well-preserved, offering a glimpse into its past.
Matsue Castle, 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane 690-0887, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Climbing Matsue Castle's Deep Stairs
To explore Matsue Castle, you'll need to take off your shoes and climb the deep stairs. Inside, you'll find a room for making salt, a well, Shachihoko ornaments, and demon face tiles that were used in the past. I really like that the inside has been preserved as it was, giving you a true sense of history.
9
Morris Hotel
Japanese-style business hotel · Tottori
4.4
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Our accommodation in Tottori Prefecture, this hotel is very generous, offering free snacks, drinks, and even free ramen for supper. The book corner is a great spot for kids to enjoy reading manga.
Tottori Green Hotel Morris, 2 Chome-107 Imamachi, Tottori, 680-0822, Japan
Kurozako shrimp — We tried the local Kurozako shrimp, which is really sweet. A delicious local specialty!
Fried noodles — A tasty dish of fried noodles, perfect for a casual meal.
Rossy seabass — The seabass is really good, though a little too fatty for my taste. My lemon ginger ale was a refreshing counterpoint after eating it!
Free ramen for supper — This hotel is so generous, offering free ramen for supper! It's a great perk after a long day of exploring.

Plan · 2 places · Tottori, Japan

Tottori Sand Dunes Adventure

“At night, we reached Tottori Prefecture and stayed at Morris Hotel, then the next morning, we took the bus to the Tottori Sand Dunes.”

10
Tottori Sand Dunes
Beach · Tottori
4.7
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A stunning National Park and Global Geopark, the Tottori Sand Dunes offer expansive views of the Japan Sea from their peaks. It's a popular spot for families and a unique natural wonder.
Tottori Sand Dunes, Tottori, Japan
- Soft cream — A delicious soft cream treat is the perfect reward after climbing and playing on the sand dunes.
Experience · 1 place
Exploring the Tottori Sand Dunes
The Tottori Sand Dunes are a National Park and Global Geopark, and it was a wish of my boys to visit here. Take the bus to get there. Reaching the top, you can see the Japan Sea, and the shoes covers I prepared came in handy! It's a fantastic place to run up and down the dunes, even for adults who try to mimic their kids (and look way too funny doing it!). After all that activity, tired kids definitely deserve a soft cream treat.
11
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji
Hotel · Himeji
4.4 (1,398)
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Our stay in Hyogo, this hotel offers comfortable rooms with views of Himeji Castle lit up at night.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji, 353 Ekimaecho, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0927, Japan

Plan · 2 places · Himeji, Japan

Himeji Castle and Sake Brewery Dinner

“In the evening, we reached Hyogo and stayed at Daiwa Roynet Hotel, then had dinner at a restaurant run by a Sake brewery, and the next day, we visited Himeji Castle.”

12
Nadagiku Sake Brewery Restaurant
Sake brewery · Himeji
4.1Closed · opens tomorrow 10 AM
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A unique restaurant run by a sake brewery, where the chairs are drums! They serve sake from their own brewery, Nadagiku, and offer signature dishes like black Oden and white Oden.
Nadagiku Sake Brewery, 1 Chome-121 Tegara, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0972, Japan
- Nadagiku Sake — We tried the sake from the brewery, Nadagiku. I'm definitely not good with it, but it's an authentic experience!
- Signature black Oden — This signature black Oden comes in a skewer form and is absolutely delicious. A must-try!
- Fried fish scraps — These fried fish scraps are packed with juicy and tender meat, a delightful surprise.
- Signature white Oden skewer — Covered by sake lees, this white Oden tastes interesting with a scent of sake, yet it's creamy and flavorful. It reminds me of a good piece of Brie cheese.
- Tomato with Sake lees — Surprisingly matched, the tomato with sake lees was my favorite among all the dishes we tried. Highly recommended!
13
Himeji Castle
Castle · Himeji
4.6 (961)Closed · opens Thursday 9 AM
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A National Treasure and World Heritage site, Himeji Castle is famously known as the 'White Heron Castle' due to its brilliant white plaster walls. Visitors can explore its many gates and climb the six floors of the keep, which has been well-preserved, showcasing warrior hiding places and weapon storage. The surrounding area has developed into a castle town.
Himeji Castle, 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan
- Fish cake — After lunch near the castle, we had a very tasty fish cake. A simple but satisfying treat!
Experience · 0 places
Exploring Himeji Castle, the White Heron
Finally, we fulfilled our kids' dream to witness Himeji Castle, also known as the 'White Heron Castle' for its brilliant white plaster walls. You'll pass through many small gates before finally getting into the keep. Be prepared to climb stairs for six floors! The inside is rather roomy but well-preserved, with small warrior hiding places in the walls and walls to keep swords and guns. It's truly a National Treasure and World Heritage site, and I'm so happy we made it happen.

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