Route Romantique: Route of Love
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Three days and two nights
Car etc.
This is a romantic and satisfying course. You will form wonderful relationships and find happiness by touring sacred places for marriage and famous sites in San'in. These include Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, which is famous as being home to the number one god of marriage in Japan; Yaegaki Shrine, where it is very popular to divine your fate with regards to marriage in the Mirror Pond; Hakuto Shrine, the birthplace of the love story in Japan; and Koi-Yamagata Station, one of only four stations in Japan with the word koi (meaning "love" in Japanese) in its name.
Izumo Enmusubi Airport (11:00)
Arrival Time (11:40): Approx. 40 minutes by car
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine
Japan’s Number One God of Marriage
Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine enshrines Okuninushi who is also famous as the god of marriage. The height of the main shrine is 24 m. However, there is a legend that this was 48 m or 96 m in ancient times. The way to worship at Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine differs to regular shrines; the standard here is to bow twice, clap your hands four times and then bow one more time. The tenth month in Japan’s old calendar is called kannazuki (month with no gods) everywhere in Japan other than Izumo. However, this is called kamiarizuki (month with gods) in Izumo. This is because of the legend that says the gods from all over Japan gather in the Izumo region at this time to hold a meeting about marriage between people.
Address | 195 Kizukihigashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane |
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Telephone Number | 0853-53-3100 |
Website | http://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/?p=4392 |
Business Hours | 06:00 to 20:00 |
Directions | Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway Approx. 20 minutes by bus from JR Izumoshi Station 15 minutes by car from Izumo IC on the San’in Expressway Approx. 30 minutes by car from Hikawa IC on the San’in Expressway |
Arrival Time (13:00): Approx. 10 minutes on foot
Shinmon Avenue
Explore the town built around Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine
You will find a variety of shops along the road approaching Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. You can create fun memories of your trip (e.g. have a meal, buy a souvenir and walk around the town) while visiting Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine.
Address | Area around Kizukiminami, Taisha-cho, Izumo-shi |
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Telephone Number | 0853-53-2298 (Izumo Kankou Association Omotenashi Station) |
Business Hours | Differs by facility |
Closed Days | Differs by facility |
Price | Differs by facility |
Arrival Time (15:00): Approx. 1 hour by car
Yaegaki Shrine
Divining the fate of relationships in Mirror Pond is popular
This is the shrine that is said to be the place where Susanoo-no-Mikoto set up a new home with Inatahime after exterminating the eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent. It is popular for young couples to divine the fate of their relationship here by placing a coin in the center of Japanese paper, floating it in the Mirror Pond and then forecasting the progress of their relationship by how it sinks.
Address | 227 Sakusa-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane |
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Telephone Number | 0852-21-1148 |
Business Hours | 09:00 to 17:00 |
Closed Days | Open every day of the year |
Price | 200 yen (Treasure House) |
Arrival Time (16:30): Approx. 20 minutes by car
Hakuchogo/Lake Shinji Sunset Cruise
Romantic cruise to watch the sunset over Lake Shinji
You can enjoy a cruise while looking out at Lake Shinji, which symbolizes the city of water Matsue, and the beautiful appearance of the castle town from the Hakucho Lake Shinji pleasure boat. A cruise while watching the sunset over Lake Shinji steeped in the colors of the sun is especially romantic!
Address | 150-7 Higashiasahi-machi, Matsue-shi, Shimane |
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Telephone Number | 0852-24-3218 |
Business Hours | Refer to the website |
Closed Days | Service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from December to February (Service only by reservation for ten or more passengers on weekdays) |
Price | Adult: 1,450 yen / Child: 720 yen |
(Accommodation in Matsue City)
Arrival Time (10:00): Approx. 10 minutes by car
Matsue Castle (Horikawa Pleasure Boat and Samurai Residences)
Symbol of the Castle Town of Matsue: Also Called Chidori Castle
This castle was completed in 1611 by Horio Yoshiharu – the founder of Matsue. This is also called “Chidori Castle (Plover Castle)” in contrast to the name of “Shirasagi Castle (White Heron Castle)” for Himeji Castle. The castle is characterized by an unaffected and combat-ready structure in the Momoyama style. This is one of 12 castle towers still existing in Japan. This was listed as a national treasure in 2015. You can see out in all four directions to the streets of Matsue City and Lake Shinji from the top floor of the castle tower. Vestiges of the Edo period (1603 to 1868), such as samurai residences, remain in the area around Matsue Castle. You can take in the atmosphere of the castle town from a pleasure boat that goes around the moat.
Address | 1-5 Tono-machi, Matsue-shi, Shimane |
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Telephone Number | 0852-21-4030 |
Website | http://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/?p=649 |
Business Hours | Admission times: 08:30 to 18:30 (April to September) / 08:30 to 17:00 (October to March) |
Price | Adult: 560 yen / Child: 280 yen / Non-Japanese: 280 yen (Admission fee) |
Directions | Get off at Matsue-jo (Otemae) after 10 minutes on a Lake Line Bus from JR Matsue Station Approx. 20 minutes on foot from Matsue Shinji-ko Onsen Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway 5 minutes by bus and 5 minutes on foot from Matsue Shinji-ko Onsen Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway |
Arrival Time (12:00): 10 minutes on foot
KARAKORO ART & STUDIO (Pink Good Fortune Post)
Taking a photo together with the lucky postbox may bring you happiness!
The former Bank of Japan Matsue Branch Building has been renovated into a combined manufacturing and sales craft shop under the theme of takumi (craftsmanship). Taking a photo together with the lucky postbox may bring you happiness!
Address | 43 Tono-machi, Matsue-shi, Shimane |
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Telephone Number | 0852-20-7000 |
Business Hours | 09:30~18:30 |
Closed Days | Open every day of the year (Except December 30 to January 1) |
Arrival Time (15:00): Approx. 40 minutes by car
Mizuki Shigeru Road (Mizuki Shigeru Museum)
Town Where You Can Meet GeGeGe no Kitaro and Nezumi Otoko (Mouse Man)
This is a very popular spot in Sakaiminato City – the birthplace of the manga artist Mizuki Shigeru. More than 150 bronze statues of various spirits line the area from in front of Sakaiminato Station to Honcho Arcade. This area is lit up at night, so you can experience a completely different atmosphere to that in the daytime. You will find original pictures of masterpieces, spirit dioramas and more on display in the Mizuki Shigeru Museum. The whole town is a spirit theme park. There is the healing Kappa (mythical water-dwelling creature) Fountain, Yokai (spirit) Shrine where you can try yokai omikuji (spirit fortune slips) and Yokai (spirit) Post where mail stamped with a spirit postmark is delivered.
Address | Around Suehiro-cho, Sakaiminato-shi, Tottori |
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Telephone Number | 0859-47-0121 (Sakaiminato City Tourist Information Center) |
Website | http://www.tottori-tour.jp/en/sightseeing/835/ |
Directions | Approx. 40 minutes by car from Yonago IC on the Yonago Expressway Nearby JR Sakaiminato Station Approx. 10 minutes by train from Yonago Kitaro Airport |
Accommodation in Yonago City
Arrival Time (10:00): Approx. 1 hour and 50 minutes by car
Hakuto Shrine (Hare of Inaba Myth)
Birthplace of Japan’s First Love Story
Hakuto Shrine is a shrine with a long and distinguished history that has also been described in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon-Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan). This shrine was built on Hakuto Coast. This coast is the setting for the Hare of Inaba myth. The hare is said to be the god of marriage who acted as a mediator between Okuninushi and Princess Yakami. Moreover, this area was recognized as “sacred ground for lovers” in 2010 for being the birthplace of Japan’s first love story. Hakuto Coast bustles with activity as a swimming area in summer. It is possible to see Okinoshima, where the hare in the legend came from, offshore.
Address | Hakuto, Tottori-shi, Tottori |
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Telephone Number | 0857-26-0756 (Tottori Convention & Tourism Association) |
Directions | Approx. 15 minutes from Tottori IC by car and approx. 90 minutes by car from Sayo JCT on the Tottori Expressway Approx. 40 minutes by a bus heading to Shikano from JR Tottori Station |
Arrival Time (11:30): Approx. 20 minutes by car
Tottori Sand Dunes (Sand Museum)
Japan’s Largest Sand Dunes: Leading Attraction of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark
These are some of the largest sand dunes in Japan. These dunes are located in the corner of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark in the eastern part of Tottori Prefecture. The fumon (wind patterns) are one of the highlights here. This is a beautiful phenomenon interwoven with nature in which wave patterns are drawn on the entire surface of the sand. There are various ways to have fun here. For example, you can take a stroll while looking out at the sea, take a commemorative photograph of yourself riding a camel, and try paragliding or sandboarding! You will also find the Sand Museum adjacent to these dunes. This is the only museum in the world to display sculptures made from sand. You will surely be impressed by the many magnificent sand sculptures formed with just sand and water.
Address | Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori-shi, Tottori |
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Telephone Number | 0857-22-3318 (Tottori City Tourist Information Center) |
Website | http://www.tottori-tour.jp/en/sightseeing/456/ |
Business Hours | Weekdays and Sundays: 09:00 to 18:00 / Saturdays: 09:00 to 20:00 (Sand Museum) |
Closed Days | Never closed (including the New Year’s holiday period) while exhibitions are being held (Sand Museum) |
Price | Adult: 600 yen / Elementary, junior high and high school student: 300 yen (Sand Museum) |
Directions | Approx. 20 minutes by car from Tottori IC on the Tottori Expressway Take a bus heading to Tottori Sand Dunes from JR Tottori Station |
Arrival Time (14:30): Approx. 50 minutes by car
Koi-Yamagata Station
One of Only Four Stations with Koi (Love) in Its Name
There are only four train stations in Japan with the word koi (meaning “love” in Japanese) in their name. One of these is located in Chizu Town in Tottori Prefecture. This site was renovated as “the station where you can find love” as part of the Koi Station Project. The benches, pillars and garbage cans in this station are all pink. In fact, the whole station is clad in pink. In addition, the station name plates and platform boarding information signs are in the shape of hearts. The station has also installed a heart monument where you can put up heart-shaped ema (wooden plaques) onto which you can write your wish at the number one boarding location.
Address | Ouchi-Jinai, Chizu-cho, Yazu-gun, Tottori |
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Telephone Number | 0858-75-6600 (Chizu Express Co., Ltd.) |
Directions | Koi-Yamagata Station on the Chizu Express Approx. 10 minutes by car from Chizu Station |
Osaka or Hiroshima
– Osaka (Approx. 2 hours by car)
– Hiroshima (Approx. 3 hours by car)