Izumo

Ancient legends encircle the Izumo Taisha buildings and halls. Pass the picturesque village of Taisha-machi under massive Torii gates to enter shrine grounds. Follow a pine lined pathway to reach the tallest Main Hall in Japan. The ceiling at the front of Worship Hall hoists in place a sacred five tonne straw rope at 13.5 meters in length the largest in Japan. Explore history and mythology. in the place that features prominently in Japan’s oldest written record, the 8th century Kojiki.

The Izumo Plain stretches west from Lake Shinji fills the restaurants with the finest produce and fish caught in this lake and the Sea of Japan hold pride of place in many local dishes.