Izumo Taisha Tour/ Izumo Taisha Trip

Izumo is known as the land of gods and myths. Even today, there are ancient shrines everywhere in the land of Izumo. The center of the shrines is Izumo Taisha, which enshrines Okuninushi-no-Okami, familiarly known as Okuni-sama. Famous as the god of marriage and good fortune, Izumo Taisha is an ancient shrine whose founding is recorded in the Kojiki, the oldest historical book in Japan, and was called Kitsuki Taisha until the early Meiji period. In the myth of the transfer of the country recorded in the Kojiki, Okuninushi-no-Okami transfers the country to Amaterasu-Omikami of Takamagahara, and the Amanohisumi-no-Miya shrine built at that time is said to be the beginning of Izumo Taisha.

The eight million gods from all over Japan gather at Izumo Taisha to visit Okuninushi-no-Okami Oct. of the lunar calendar. In other regions, it is called "Kannazuki" (Month without Gods) because the gods are away, but in the Izumo region, it is called "Kamiari-zuki" (Month with Gods). At Izumo Taisha, where the gods gather, the festival begins with the "Kamimukaesai" (Welcoming the Gods Festival), followed by the "Kamiari-sai" (Festival to See the Gods Away), which sees the gods off to all parts of the country.

Tamatsukuri Onsen

Tamazukuri Onsen is listed as one of the three most famous hot springs in "The Pillow Book," and is the largest and most historic hot spring in the prefecture. The Tamazukuri Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association member inns have "hot spring beauty advisors" who will teach you effective bathing techniques for beautiful skin, so why not ask them before you take a bath?