Interesting sightseeing - International Hotel Kaike

Shimane Prefecture gives unique opportunity to feel breath of history. It’s old name – Izumo Land, land of myth and legends, where goddess Izanami, other of Japan is believed to have once lived. Shimane is home to one of the three main Shinto shrines, beautiful Japanese gardens, Matsudaira clan family castle and samurai houses from old times.

Shimane and Tottori prefectures together make one region – Sanin, which sightseeing options will not leave you uninterested and are good both for adults and children!

Tottori Sand Dunes

Sand desert in the middle of Japan! Unique nature phenomenon – sand dunes is pride of Tottori prefecture. Local people are studying dune’s nature and keep it from herbage and foresting, gathering for “save the dunes” event every year. Near the dunes one can find indoor sand statue museum. Sand sculptors from all over the world come here to create there masterpieces from this extremely friable material in the special indoor pavilion. From the middle of December till beginning of January you can see special illumination, creating romantic atmosphere and elusive beauty, or “illusion” as this special event is named.

Distance from hotel: 60 min by car

Days off: all year round

Working hours: from 18 April till 3^rd of January 09:00-20:00 (museum)

Price: adult JPY 600, child under 12 y.o. JPY 300 йен (museum)

Tel: 0857-22-0581

URL: http://sakyu.city.tottori.tottori.jp/ http://www.sand-museum.jp/
Address: 2164-661 Fukubecho Yuyama, Tottori, Tottori Prefecture 689-0105

Uradome Nature Park

Nature Park Uradome has beautiful beaches and whimsically jagged rocks. Short cruise by special tourist motorboat gives an opportunity to come closer and see small rocky islands with famous Shinto gates called torii, which keep memories of legendary past day events when Gods walked on this land. Locals come to small cozy beaches by cars and are seen from the boat doing BBQ with their family or friends.

Distance from hotel: 60 min by car

Holidays: December – February

Working hours: 09:10-16:10

Price: adult JPY 1200, child up to 12 y.o. JPY 600

Tel: 0857-73-1212

URL: http://www.yourun1000.com/
Address: 2182 Otani, Iwami-cho, Iwami-gun, Tottori Prefecture

Daisen Mountain

“Small Fuji” of Sanin Region. Like Japan’s holy symbol – Fuji - Daisen Mountain has volcanic origin. It’s amazingly correct conical form and beautiful views are clearly seen from Kaike onsen side in good weather. Those who like active vacations may climb it from May till October by old steps paved with moss-grown slabs. On 1709 meter road up one can see amazing views of local nature which change colours according to the season. Those who want more relaxed time can also find places of interest here. Buddhist temple of 8^th century keeps memories of once powerful Tendai sect, milk farm offers meeting with cows for younger travelers as well as tasty ice-cream and local meat restaurant, horse riding farm invites to get riding lesson and children playground Mori-No-Kuni (“forest country”) has lots of fun for the whole day!

Distance from hotel: 20 min by car

Season: all year round, climbing from May to October

Tel: 0859-43-0431 (Daisen tourism center)

Daisen Ski Resort

"White Resort Daisen" will suite both beginners and intermediate skiers and is divided into 3 parts. First part is for beginners, second – more difficult, for those who had skied several times, and third one, called “international”, offers 7 different courses including advanced ones. The resort has small snowboard park and moguls course at the top. Several shops, ski rental and café at the slope are open during ski season.

Distance from hotel: 20 min by car

Season: end of December – end of February

Working hours: 08:00-17:00

Price: adult JPY 4900, child up to 12 y.o. JPY 3500, for 1 day pass

Tel: 0859-52-2315

URL:http://www.daisen-resort.jp
Address: Ouyama, Daisen-cho, Saihaku-gun, Tottori-ken, 689-3318

"20 century" Pear Museum

Tottori Prefecture is at 1^st place in Japan for amount of “20 century” pear production and exports them all around the world. At Pear Museum in Kurayoshi town you can taste this unique sort, find out it’s history and method of growing as well as learn many interesting things about pears from different parts of the world.

Distance from hotel: 40 min by car

Days off: 29 December – 3 January, 1st, 3rd and 5^th Monday of each month

Working hours: 09:00-17:00

Price: adult JPY 200, child up to 12 y.o. – free of charge

Tel: 0858-23-1174

URL: http://1174.sanin.jp/
Address: 682-0816 Tottori-ken, Kurayoshi-shi, Dakyōjichō, 198−4

Sanbutsu-ji temple and Nageire-do Hall

Important Cultural Property of Japan – Nageire-do Hall is part of Buddhist temple Sanbutsu-ji, which is more that 1300 years old, and still a mystery. The thing is it is certainly unknown how it appeared at height of 520 meters above the sea level. The legend says the temple founder took it to top of the mountain by supernatural power. Nowadays it is not easy to get to the hall – you have to spend 1 hour and a half climbing rocky mountain in special shoes. Some parts of the way are extremely dangerous.

Distance from hotel: 40 min by car

Days off: no

Working hours: 09:00-18:00

Price: adult JPY 400, child up to 12 y.o. – JPY 200

Tel: 0858-43-2666

URL: http://www.mitokusan.jp/
Address: 1010 Mitoku, Misasa, Tohaku District, Tottori Prefecture 682-0132

Tottori Flower Park

A year round open park at the area of 50 hectares! In April you can see sakura bloom, in May – different types of tulips, in summer time – lilies, in winter – lots of orchids. The park has covered walking path in case of rainy weather and orchids are carefully grown in special glass pavilion. There is wonderful view at Daisen Mountain in clear weather, and during Christmas and from April to September the park has evening illumination.

Distance from hotel: 30 min by car

Days off: 26-31 December, from December till March – every Tuesday

Working hours: 09:00-17:00 (Dec-March till 16:30, evening illumination till 21:00)

Price: adult JPY 1000, child up to 12 y.o. JPY 500 (for foreign passport holders discount 50%)

Tel: 0859-48-3030

URL: http://www.tottorihanakairou.or.jp/en/
Address: 683-0217 110 Tsuruta, Nanbu-cho, Saihaku-gun, Tottori

Mizuki Shigeru Street and Museum

The most famous person from Sakaiminato is Mizuki Shigeru - author of comics about a boy named Kitaro. Mizuki Shigeru is famous with his stories’ characters – Yokai monsters. He survived in Word War II, having lost his right arm, but he learned to draw by the left one and didn’t give up his hobby, which later became his life’s goal – studying of ghosts and spirits from all over the world. All Mr. Shigeru’s stories are about continuous fight of good and evil spirits. Many of his characters are beloved by several Japanese kids’ generations. The street named after him is about 1 kilometer and is lined with many Yokai spirits’ statues. You can buy special book at the information centre booth inside of local ferry terminal, play quest game finding them all get a present! In dozens of souvenir shops at the street one can find T-shirts, candies and even sake (Japanese rice wine) with Yokai symbols. The street ends with Mizuki Shigeru interactive museum which can be interesting both for adults and kids. Museum offers free audio guides in several languages.

Distance form hotel: 30 min by car

Days off: Tuesday (museum only)

Working hours: 09:30-17:00 (museum only)

Price: adult JPY 700, students JPY 500, child up to 12 y.o. – JPY 300 (museum only)

Tel: 0859-42-2171

URL: http://mizuki.sakaiminato.net/
Address: 5 Honmachi Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture 684-0025

Juushien Japanese and Peony Garden

Japanese garden with bridges, ponds with carps, low pines, mini stone garden and all other features of the traditional landscape design. The garden’s special point is Chinese peony which are beautifully arranged in the special indoor pavilion and are scattered around. Designers are invited to create unique installations with peonies for a season. At the end of April – beginning of May garden hosts peony festival when every person can bring his own peony flower to take part in the competition for the best one. At the same time wisterias are in bloom here.

Distance from hotel: 30 min by car

Days off: open all year round

Working hours: 08:30-17:30

Price: adult JPY 600, child up to 12 y.o. JPY 300 (50% discount for foreign passport holders)

Tel: 0852-76-2255

URL: http://www.yuushien.com/yuushien/language/english.html
Address: 1260-2 Hanyu, Yatsuka-cho, Matsue-shi, 690-1492, Shimane

Adachi Japanese Garden and Art Museum

Adachi Art Gallery was founded by Adachi Zenko, businessman from Yasugi city. Mr. Adachi collected modern Japanese art and by the age of 71 his collection became big enough to open a gallery, combined with beautiful Japanese garden. Mr. Adachi believed in the idea that garden is also a painting which is alive and is chacging colours by the season. He tried to create a garden which is in ideal harmony with the local landscape. For several years Adachi Garden was listed #1 of all Japanese gardens throughout the country in the specialized magazine. Besides, it was ranked 3 stars object in the “Michelin green guide. Japan” edition. Nowadays Adachi gallery has 2 buildings exhibiting Japanese art of XIX and XX centuries including the largest in the world collection of Japanese artist Jokoyama Taikan’s works. 2 cafes with beautiful views, tea house and souvenir shop are open for the visitors.

Distance from hotel: 30 min by car

Days off: open all year round

Working hours: 09:00-17:00 (December – March – till 16:30)

Price: adult JPY 2200, child up to 12 y.o. - JPY 1700 (50% discount for foreign passport holders)

Tel: 0854-28-7111

URL: https://www.adachi-museum.or.jp/en
Address: 320 Furukawa-cho, Yasugi, Shimane, 692-0064

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine

Taisha means “big temple” or “grand shrine”. This shrine is one of the tree largest Shinto shrines in Japan. Recently Japanese princess got married here. The shrine is mentioned in the Japanese book of myths and legends Kojiki which was written 1400 years ago. The legend says that in October all Shinto Gods gather here, and all other shrines have “Godless month”. Path to the shrine starts with huge torii gates which are seen from several kilometers away and is marked by centuries old pines. You can see priests in white clothes walking inside the buildings. Weddings are often held in the shrine and according to the legends women once came here would be married soon. All they have to do is touch one of the hare statues hiding in old trees. You can also visit museum of Izumo mysterious land which is located next to the shrine.

Distance from hotel: 60 min by car

Days off: open all year round

Working hours: 06:30-20:00

Price: free of charge (entry inside the shrine buildings is prohibited)

Tel: 0853-53-3100

URL: http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp/
Address: 195 Taishacho Kizukihigashi, Izumo, Shimane Prefecture 699-0701

Matsue Castle and Samurai Houses

In the whole Japan only 12 castles of the Momoyama great period remained undestroyed, with Matsue castle being the only one in Sanin region. The castle has never been rebuilt or renovated therefore you can feel the breath of antiquity in the ladders’ wood and in the exhibited samples of samurai armament. From the upper floor you can see the whole city panorama. You can also buy a tour by wooden boats on the canals around the castle and the boatman will tell you local stories and sing the old Japanese song. Having crossed one of the bridges you will find yourself at the samurai street and see their lifestyle in one of the remaining and turned to the open-air museum houses. It is amazing but Japanese houses are barely unchanged since those times! Small tea house is hiding on the hill opposite to the castle. It was the favorite place of Matsudaira clan shoguns and their favorite sweets are still served here.

Distance from hotel: 40 min by car

Working days: open all year round

Working hours: 08:30-18:30

Price: adult JPY 550, child up to 12 y.o. JPY 280 (50% discount for foreign passport holders)

Tel: 0852-21-4030

URL: http://www.matsue-tourism.or.jp/m_castle/
Address: 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture 690-0887