Ancient Japan Izumo

27/07/2025

We’re pleased to present our interview of the residents and local merchants in Izumo City!

We met Mr Ishibashi who told us all about Rental Kimono Goen Style, a kimono rental shop he started in the area around Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine 8 year ago!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6O74cd2Ic8

English, Portuguese and Finnish subtitles are available, don’t forget to turn them on ;)

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「FR」"Nous vous présentons aujourd’hui nouvelle vidéo de « Ancient Japan Izumo ». Partez avec nous à la rencontre des habitants et commerçants locaux de la vi...

20/07/2025

Hinomisaki Shrine Grand Festival (Miyukishinji ritual) 🌅

The annual festival of Hinomisaki Shrine, also called the Festival of the Setting Sun, is held on August 7th, and starts with a ritual on the grounds of the shrine at 5:30 p.m.
The festival continues with a procession including a mikoshi (portable Shinto shrine) leaving from the shrine and heading towards Fumishima island which is located just a few steps away.

When the sun goes down, the priests go to Fumishima Island, a sacred space where passage is usually forbidden, to perform the ritual. The procession stops in a place where it is possible to see the priests doing the ritual on the island from a distance. The view of the priests climbing Fumishima Island in the sunset is especially stunning.

When the ritual is over, the procession goes back to the shrine and a lottery is organized. All the attendants can take part in it and they can win prizes like a bottle of sake for example. The festival ends around 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.

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13/07/2025

The annual Isshiki Kazari competition in Hirata Area!

In 1793, Jūbē Kikyōya, a picture framer living in the Hirata area, made a statue of Daikokuten (the syncretic Buddhist and Shinto deity of fortune and wealth) from a tea set he had at his disposal. He offered it to Tenjin, the deity of learning and culture, enshrined at the Tenmangū Shrine. This is said to have been the first Isshiki Kazari statue.

Every year during the Hirata Tenmangū Shrine Summer Festival that begins on July 20 and lasts 3 days, several teams from the area put their Isshiki Kazari statues on display in small rooms called kazariyado, and the competition begins. From 4 PM on July 21, parishioners carry Tenjin around the streets in a mikoshi (portable shrine), starting from the Tenmangū Shrine (an auxiliary shrine at Umi Shrine in Momen Kaido Cotton Road), and visit the kazariyado to pray for good health.

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06/07/2025

Summer Festivals in Izumo 🎆

 Hirata Matsuri Festival / July 19 (Saturday)
The Hirata Festival is a summer festival held in the main shopping street of the Hirata area. On the Festival day, the shopping street becomes a pedestrian zone and gorgeous performances are organized on the road.
During the festival, you’ll be able to enjoy shows on stage, a lottery and fireworks. Isshiki kazari statues, a traditional art, are on display in the whole neighborhood.
Hours; 15h00 – 21h00 / Place: Hirata Honcho-dori Shotengai

 Shinwa Matsuri Festiva
Shinwa Matsuri Festival’s Obon dances / August 16 (Saturday)
Obon dances (bon odori) are usually performed in the streets on August. Participants traditionally wear a yukata, for this occasion. There are various theories about the origin of bon odori, but it is said to be performed to welcome the ancestors and to help them to return to the afterlife safely.
Hours: 16h00 – 20h30 / Place Kunibiki Chūō-dōri street

Shinwa Matsuri Festival’s fireworks / August 23 (Saturday)
It is said that fireworks were originally used to appease the spirits of the dead. They don’t really have this special significance anymore, and have instead become an integral part of Japanese summer. Shinwa Festival is the most impressive show in Izumo!
Hours: 18h00 – 20h40 / Place Hiikawa Riverbed Park Soccer Field

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29/06/2025

Come and have fun at Kirara Taki! 🐬

Kirara Taki is a seaside rest area where you can take a break after a long journey – but it is also a place where you can spend hours, or even days! In summer, people come here to swim at Kirara Beach, which is located right next to Kirara Taki. Everything you need for a day at the beach is there: lockers, showers, toilets, parasol rental, beach goods… All you need to do is bring your swimsuit and a towel, take the stairs leading to the white sand, and jump into the cobalt blue sea!

You might also spot some wild dolphins! They can be seen on the horizon from spring to autumn, so don’t forget to keep an eye out for them; maybe you will be lucky!

If you stay until the end of the day, you will be able to see the sun slowly setting over the horizon, coloring the sea with beautiful red hues. This wonderful view, selected as one of the top 100 sunsets in Japan, is not to be missed!

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22/06/2025

Poké Lid Featuring Tandemaus and Luvdisc in Izumo!

There is a Poké Lid (Pokémon Utility Hole Cover) featuring Tandemaus and Luvdisc in the Pocket Parc next to Hinomisaki Lighthouse.

You can only find this Poké Lid in Izumo, so come take a look!
https://local.pokemon.jp/en/manhole/desc/378/

15/06/2025

Le Festival Gongen à Sagiura ⛵

Tous les 31 juillet au coucher du soleil, les locaux du port de Sagiura fêtent le Festival Gongen. Le festival débute à 18 heures par un rituel qui dure quelques minutes au sanctuaire Inasehagi.

Ensuite, les participants se dirigent vers le port à pied pour rejoindre les bateaux qui pour l’occasion sont spécialement décorés de lanternes et de tairyōbata, drapeaux colorés que l’on hisse lorsque la pêche a été particulièrement bonne. Vers 18h30, les bateaux partent pour une parade en cercle autour de l’île de Kashiwa et les personnes à bord prient pour la sécurité en mer et une pêche abondante pour l’année à venir.

L’île de Kashiwa est un brise-lames naturel et elle a longtemps été vénérée pour la protection essentielle qu’elle fournit au port. Le sanctuaire Kashiwa, niché derrière un rocher tout en haut de l’île, est accessible par d’abruptes marches creusées dans la roche de la falaise. Les deux divinités qui y sont vénérées sont Susanō, la divinité de la tempête et Ebisu, le patron des pêcheurs.

La parade dure environ 30 minutes et les bateaux rentrent ensuite au port. Si vous vous rendez au festival, vous aurez peut-être la chance de pouvoir monter à bord, bien que ce soit systématique. Ne ratez pas le Festival des jizō, divinités protectrices des voyageurs et enfants, un autel illuminé dans les rues de Sagiura.

Nom : Festival Gongen Matsuri
Date : 31 juillet (tous les ans)
Lieu : Sanctuaire Inasehagi et Port de Sagiura, Izumo
Horaires : 18h à 19h

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08/06/2025

Wind Chime Festival at Ichibata Yakushi Temple 🎐

Every year, the Ichibata Yakushi Temple hosts a Wind Chime Festival.

Wind chimes were often found in the Buddhist temples of ancient China. The chimes were made of bronze and used to ward off evil spirits. As Buddhism spread to Japan, local nobles began to adopt the practice and installed chimes in their homes. This is why we often find wind chimes in modern Japanese homes.

Numerous wind chimes are hung in the temple precincts of Ichibata Yakushi Temple for the Wind Chime Festival. The gentle sound of the chimes makes the summer heat more bearable; is said to chase away evil spirits and ward off disease.

Festival dates: September 21st through September 23rd, 2025
Place: Ichibata Yakushi Temple

　 　

01/06/2025

Kojindani’s Ancient Lotus 🪷

It's almost lotus blossom season!
The beautiful lotus flowers in the pond of Kojindani Park, next to Kojindani Archeological Museum, will start to bloom from mid-june.

On the 29th of June, a Lotus Festival will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Feel free to come take a look!

As the lotus flowers close in the afternoon, we suggest visiting in the morning if you want to be sure to enjoy the view of the blooming flowers.

　 　

25/05/2025

Susa Jinja Shrine

Susa Jinja Shrine is strongly related to Susanoo no Mikoto, a heroic god who, according to Japanese mythology, eradicated the multi-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi.

Shrines related to Susanoo are common throughout Japan, but this one is the only one where Susanoo’s soul is enshrined, and that also worships Susanoo’s wife, Inatahime no Mikoto, and her parents, Ashinazuchi no Mikoto and Tenazochi no Mikoto.

The shrine has a strong reputation for answering prayers about good relations and new encounters, the prosperity of one’s descendants, the well-being of one’s family, and protection from various harms.

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18/05/2025

Traditional dances at torchlight, the Yūkoku Kagari Bimai

The Yūkoku Kagari Bimai is an annual event where you can discover kagura traditional dances at torchlight at Inasa no Hama Beach. Bentenjima Island makes for a spectacular backdrop as you experience kagura with the soft sound of the waves. Do not miss this unique experience! This is the 17th time this performance has been held, and this year you can see it on May 31. Please note that the date changes every year.

Event name: Yūkoku Kagari Bimai
Date: 31 May 2025 (Saturday)*
*In the event of unfavorable weather or beach conditions, the event may be moved to June 1 (Sun). If the weather is still not good on this day, the event will be canceled.
Place: Inasa no Hama Beach, Taisha area, Izumo
Hour: 16:30~20:00
Entry: Free