Iwami Area

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Located in the western part of Shimane, this area is centered around the World Heritage site Iwami Ginzan. It breathes a unique culture nurtured by the rough Sea of Japan and deep mountains. The representative art here is "Iwami Kagura," a traditional performance with luxurious costumes and rhythmic music that shakes the soul. With Iwami pottery and the Takatsu River, the clearest stream in Japan, it offers materials that stimulate all five senses. It is highly supported by travelers seeking "authentic regional life" and "real tradition."

Iwami Area
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Welcome to the last region of Japan “Iwami”　The land of the Giant Serpent and Timeless Mindfulness

Welcome to the last region of Japan “Iwami”　The land of the Giant Serpent and Timeless Mindfulness

San'in Inbound Tourism Organization

Iwami Area

Address
824-3 Omori-cho-i, Oda-shi, Shimane
Website
https://www.ginzan-wm.jp/purpose_post/oomori-omiyagedokoro/
Operator
Omori Tourist Information Center

Nearby Spots

Iwami Ginzan
Shimane

Iwami Ginzan

A UNESCO World Heritage site that was once one of the world's leading silver mines. It is highly evaluated for its "environmentally friendly" mining that coexisted with nature. The highlight is the "Ryugenji Mabu" mine shaft, where you can see hand-dug marks in the cool air. The Omori district, with its preserved magistrate's office and merchant houses, is perfect for a stroll. It is a place to satisfy intellectual curiosity and feel the silent Japanese aesthetic within history.

  • Shimane
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Kigami Shrine
Shimane

Kigami Shrine

A venerable shrine located in the Omori district of Oda City, part of the World Heritage site Iwami Ginzan. The top highlight is the massive "Crying Dragon" painted on the ceiling of the worship hall. When you clap your hands at a specific spot, a mysterious echoing sound like a dragon crying reverberates through the ceiling, allowing you to feel the power of the dragon firsthand. It has long been cherished as a god protecting the silver mine, and the precincts enveloped in silence tell the deep history of Iwami Ginzan. A spot where you can stop by during a...

  • Shimane
  • Sightseeing
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Yamabuki Castle Ruins
Shimane

Yamabuki Castle Ruins

A Sengoku-period mountain castle site built on the 291m-high Mt. Yogai, overlooking the Omori district in the center of Iwami Ginzan. As a military base for controlling the silver mine, it was a "stage of silver mine disputes" where powerful samurai like the Amago and Mori clans fought fiercely. While no castle buildings remain today, there are hiking trails leading to the summit and remains of fortifications (Kuruwa), allowing you to enjoy a hike while imagining the strategic castle structures of that time. The view from the top is magnificent, offering a complete overview of the World Heritage area. A...

  • Shimane
  • Sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Spring
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Okubo-mabu Mine Shaft
Shimane

Okubo-mabu Mine Shaft

The largest mine shaft (mabu) within the World Heritage site Iwami Ginzan. Unlike the Ryugenji Mabu, which is open to the general public, this is a more authentic site that can only be entered through limited guided tours. The experience of wearing a helmet and using a flashlight to explore the massive space—3m to 5m high—with vivid hand-dug marks and complex structures leading deep underground for silver mining is like a true adventure. The cool air still carries the traces of the incredible labor and passion of the people from that time. A special place for travelers wanting to feel...

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