{"id":89380,"date":"2022-02-22T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=89380"},"modified":"2022-03-09T20:53:56","modified_gmt":"2022-03-09T11:53:56","slug":"what-to-do-in-iwami-shimane-prefecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/what-to-do-in-iwami-shimane-prefecture\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do in Iwami: Discovering the Region in Depth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Shimane Prefecture is rarely on the radar for foreign travelers. When it does, it usually conjures up images of the famous Izumo Taisha Shrine<\/a> and Matsue City with its castle<\/a>, both located in the east of the prefecture. But this time, we will explore the western side: the Iwami region<\/strong> (\u77f3\u898b\u56fd, Iwami<\/em>-no kuni), which offers gems for off-the-beaten-track destinations in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talking about Iwami, close to the border of Yamaguchi Prefecture, you can find Tsuwano (\u6d25\u548c\u91ce), a small town that is also called the “Little Kyoto of Sanin.” There, you can dive into history with a historical samurai district, walk through the thousand red tori gates of Taikodani Inari Shrine and enjoy the view from the castle ruins<\/a>. Tsuwano offers its unique culture and allows you to get to know the real Japan without the crowds of tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another place of interest located more east is Iwami Ginzan <\/strong>(\u77f3\u898b\u9280\u5c71), a former silver mine and World Heritage Site, where you can join a mine tour<\/a> and see the traditional houses in the surrounding historic district. Nearby is the 1,000-year-old natural hot spring Yunotsu Onsen<\/strong> (\u6e29\u6cc9\u6d25\u6e29\u6cc9). Former mines, historic streets to explore, and onsen for the night \u2014 what more could you ask for? <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can take the spectacular coastal road to reach two famous spots of the Iwami region.<\/a> Next, let me introduce some of the lesser-known stops to make along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mount Sanbe<\/strong> (\u4e09\u74f6\u5c71) is located in the center of Shimane Prefecture and belongs to the Daisen-Oki National Park. My adventure to explore the active volcano started with a 40-minutes bus ride from Odashi Station to Sanbesou (\u3055\u3093\u3079\u8358), a traditional Japanese inn with outdoor hot spring facilities. Here, I rented an electric bicycle to explore the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Around Mt. Sanbe, you can find many plains with grass, great for cycling and scenic views. Small towns and villages are scattered around the area with forest and green hills. <\/strong>My bicycle adventure led me around Kiyohara and Ikeda, where one can see rural Japan with old houses, narrow roads, and fields. I stopped at some of the small shrines and temples along the way, covered in yellow ginkgo leaves during the autumn season.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the temples I visited was Jozenji<\/strong> (\u6d44\u5584\u5bfa), known for its huge ginkgo tree. This is the second-largest ginkgo tree in Shimane prefecture at about 30 meters in height<\/strong>, estimated to be around 600 years old. The leaves of this tree turn golden yellow around the middle of November to early December, carpeting the temple grounds in a gorgeous yellow sea when the leaves fall to the ground in its later season. It felt like walking around a golden paradise, especially during its evening illumination event when the grounds are lit up after dark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The last stop on my bicycle adventure was Lake Ukinunoike <\/strong>(\u6d6e\u5e03\u6c60) and the observation deck. The view on Mt. Sanbe and the lake is stunning, even attracting the likes of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako in April 1971. There are some benches to relax by and enjoy the view and the surrounding nature. At the lake’s shore is a small shrine. The torii<\/em> gate for this shrine is placed inside the lake, making it very photogenic. My bicycle adventure took about three hours. There is more to explore around Mr. Sanbe, such as hiking trails, campgrounds, and other outdoor adventure spots. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take full advantage of this area’s highlights, though I’d recommend that you plan for an overnight stay to explore the region more thoroughly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sekishu Washi is an old traditional handcraft, looking back on over 1,300 years of history. It has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property and is still used for various products nowadays. Thus, it is an essential part of the costumes of Iwami Kagura, a sacred dance ritual famous in the Iwami region<\/a>. At the Sekishu Washi Center<\/strong> (\u77f3\u5dde\u548c\u7d19\u4f1a\u9928) opened in 2008, visitors can learn about the history and the traditional techniques <\/strong>of producing this kind of Japanese paper through a video documentary, displays, and even a hands-on experience. Furthermore, inside the main hall, products are displayed to show the versatility of usage and include a product shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The raw materials for Sekishu washi are plants called kozo<\/em> (\u696e), mitsumata<\/em> (\u4e09\u690f) and wild gampi <\/em>(\u96c1\u76ae). The paper-making process begins with branches being cut and steamed. Then the bark stripped off. The black bark gets softened in water, and then the outer layer is carefully scraped off with a knife. The remaining white bark is rinsed with clear water, boiled and steamed, and after this, beaten with an oak stick to loosen the individual fibers. From here, visitors can try out making washi paper themself! The solution is prepared beforehand, and you get a mold with a mat. To create your washi paper, scoop the mixture on the mat and spread it evenly with a back and forward motion. Drain the water and repeat this process a few times until you get your desired paper thickness. The washi paper is then removed from the mat, and any remaining water is pressed out. Usually, the washi is left under weights on paper beds overnight and then brushed on drying boards to dry in the sun during the process. For the workshop, however, a faster and simple method is used so that you can take your hand-made washi paper home right away.What Are the Most Famous Sites of Iwami Region?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bicycle Adventure around Mt. Sanbe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nJapanese Washi Paper-Making Experience in Iwami<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Together, with water and a sticky substance from the tororo aoi<\/em> (\u30c8\u30ed\u30ed\u30a2\u30aa\u30a4) root, a pulp solution is mixed to be used for the final washi paper production.
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While admission to the Sekishu Washi Center is free, the washi-making experience costs 550 yen and requires prior reservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n