Oda City

Shimane
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A city of history and nature located in central Shimane, home to the World Heritage site "Iwami Ginzan." Cultural heritage like mine shafts (mabu) and the retro hot spring town of "Yunotsu," once a silver shipping port, still live on. In the "Mt. Sanbe" national park, you can enjoy hiking and camping in dynamic nature and see the wonder of the "Buried Forest" with giant ancient trees sleeping underground. World Heritage, ancient springs, and famous peaks—there is no other city that condenses such diverse Japanese charms. An area worth exploring for active travelers wanting to experience both historical depths and the Earth's energy.

Favorite

【美肌県しまね】大田市・江津市・浜田市を旅する「#癒し空間で優雅な美肌女子旅」

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

どこかで見た、美しい光景は萩・石見という場所だった～ EAST ～

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

どこかで見た、美しい光景は萩・石見という場所だった～ WEST ～

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

Oda City

Address: 42-1 Nima-cho Oguni, Oda-shi, Shimane
Website: https://www.ginzan-wm.jp/
Operator: Oda City Tourism Association

Oda City Spots List

Mononobe Shrine
Okubo-mabu Mine Shaft
Yamabuki Castle Ruins
Yunotsu
Iwami Ginzan Road
Kotogahama Beach
Kigami Shrine
Iwami Ginzan
Iwami Area
Kobayashi Kobo
Mt. Sanbe
Nima Sand Museum
Sanbe Jomon Forest Museum
Motomiya Shrine

Shimane

Mononobe Shrine

Located in Oda City, this is the Ichinomiya (highest-ranking shrine) of Iwami Province, which has long gathered the deep faith of samurai as a god of both literary and military arts. The shrine buildings are among the largest in Japan for the "Kasuga-zukuri" style, and the heavy, dignified architectural style is well worth seeing. It is also known as a god of competition, attracting many who pray for success in sports or business. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in full glory, and in autumn, it is colored by foliage, offering a scene where Japanese traditional beauty and seasonal changes harmonize...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
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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...

Shimane
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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
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Shimane

Yunotsu

A hot spring town registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Iwami Ginzan. Traces of the days when it flourished as a shipping port for silver remain strong, and the streetscape with weathered wooden buildings is designated as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings." There are two high-quality communal baths, "Yakushiyu" and "Motoyu," and Yakushiyu is especially known for its high efficacy, with its retro Western-style building being very attractive. At night, orange lights illuminate the old streets, and the rhythmic sound of Iwami Kagura heard from somewhere evokes a travel mood. A rare place...

Shimane
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Shimane

Iwami Ginzan Road

An old road used to transport silver produced from the World Heritage site Iwami Ginzan. Now maintained as a hiking course, you can walk through nature while feeling the breath of history. Along the way, remains of former checkpoints and tea houses where travelers rested, as well as beautiful stone pavements, are preserved, making you feel as if you’ve become an Edo-period traveler. A journey reflecting on how people of that time transported silver in such harsh environments while enjoying forest bathing is ideal for active history fans. A slow, profound walking trail where nature and history overlap.

Shimane
Sightseeing
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Shimane

Kotogahama Beach

A beach in Nima-cho, Oda City, famous for its "Singing Sand" that makes a "ku-ku" sound when walked upon. It is proof that the sand is very pure and clean, and it has been selected as one of Japan's "100 Soundscapes." Walking barefoot allows you to feel the vibrations and sounds through your soles while experiencing the delicateness of nature. Additionally, the beautiful and tragic "Legend of Princess Koto" is passed down here, creating a somewhat poignant yet romantic atmosphere. The beauty of the sunset is also exceptional. An experiential nature spot where you can enjoy the beauty of a...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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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
Spring
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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
Sightseeing
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Shimane

Iwami Area

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."

Shimane
Sightseeing
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Shimane

Kobayashi Kobo

A workshop in Matsue City that produces Shimane's traditional crafts such as "Matsue Anesama Dolls" and simple, warm handmade toys. Each piece is carefully crafted using traditional techniques, showcasing the excellence of Japan's "meticulous handiwork." Dolls made with colorful Chiyogami paper and nostalgic wooden toys are very popular as Japanese souvenirs. You can observe the craftsmen's skills up close, and if the timing is right, you may even experience making them yourself. It is a precious place where you can touch the simple yet deep world of crafts, which can be called the roots of Japan's "kawaii" culture.

Shimane
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Shimane

Mt. Sanbe

A beautiful active volcano in Oda City with multiple peaks arranged in a ring. It features a gentle mountain shape and caters to everyone from beginners on hiking courses to serious climbers. At the foot of the mountain, a vast grassland called "Nishi-no-hara" spreads out, where you can enjoy picnics and cycling amid peaceful scenery with grazing cattle. Additionally, Sanbe Onsen is located nearby, perfect for healing fatigue after climbing. You can feel the energy of great nature throughout the year with beautiful autumn leaves and winter snowscapes. It is a place where you can experience both the unique terrain...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
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Shimane

Nima Sand Museum

A sand museum known for having the world's largest hourglass, the "One-Year Clock." This magnificent scale hourglass, with one ton of sand slowly falling over a year, allows you to luxuriously feel the passage of time. The building itself is very stylish, with six glass pyramids inspired by the Giza Pyramids. Inside, there are sand art exhibitions and a corner to experience "Singing Sand," satisfying intellectual curiosity. This quiet space where you can reconfirm the importance of time is sure to be a memorable experience for families and couples.

Shimane
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Shimane

Sanbe Jomon Forest Museum

An amazing facility where a giant forest buried by a volcanic eruption about 4,000 years ago is exhibited in its original form. The huge cedar trees designated as a National Natural Monument transport visitors back to the world of thousands of years ago. This mystical time capsule is a globally valuable heritage where you can feel the pulse of the Earth firsthand. It is a spiritual nature spot that should be visited by everyone who wants to be moved by the drama of great nature and natural history.

Shimane
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Shimane

Motomiya Shrine

A shrine enveloped in a mystical atmosphere deep in the forests of Oki-no-shima Town. Its most significant feature is the landscape integrated with century-old giant trees rising behind the main hall. Walking along the approach, you can feel the energy of nature from moss-covered rocks and trees, realizing that this is a place where Japan's myriad gods dwell. Unlike touristy famous shrines, its silence and sacredness are ideal for travelers seeking a meditative time. It is one of the best power spots in Oki to experience Japan's original form of faith.

Shimane
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