Ancient Japan, IZUMO

Model Itinerary

Tottori to Izumo

Tottori to Izumo (departing from Kansai): Following the White Hare to Izumo—Wish for Luck in Relationships at Sites Related to the “White Hare of Inaba” Myth (3 days, 2 nights)

This tour visits places associated with the Japanese “White Hare of Inaba” myth. What was this myth passed down through the centuries trying to convey?
A journey to find the answer, and maybe even luck in love.

Start

DAY 1

  • 7:38 Osaka Station

  • Super Hakuto Limited Express (2 hr. 30 min.)

    Point

    Seasonal mountain scenery of the Chugoku Mountains

  • Tottori Station

  • 10:30  Tour taxi (Lunch, 3 hr.)

  • Menuma Shrine (Kawahara-cho)

    A shrine in honor of Yakami-hime, who appears in the “White Hare of Inaba” myth. There is also a stone monument inscribed with the love story of Yakami-hime and Okuninushi, the main deity of Izumo Taisha Shrine.

  • Tottori Sand Dunes

    Tottori Sand Dunes
    Point

    A visit to Japan’s largest sand dunes will let you experience the amazing beauty created by wind and sand over the years.

  • Hakuto Shrine

    A prestigious shrine with clear ties to the main rabbit deity from the “White Hare of Inaba” myth. It is well known for its sets of five stones known as “musubiÄi0-Äi0ishiÄi0.” It is said that if you make a wish while placing them on the torii Äi0gate or white hare statues around the shrine, your wish will come true.

  • Roadside Station Shinwa-no-sato Shiro Usagi

    Located on the national highway overlooking the Hakuto Coast, the setting for the “White Hare of Inaba” myth. The facility sells gifts and souvenirs. There is also a statue on the premises inspired by the tale.

  • Hakuto Coast

    The setting for the “White Hare of Inaba” myth. As in the myth, the beautiful coastline has reefs resembling the backs of sharks and a crescent of white sandy beach.

  • 13:46 JR Super Matsukaze/Super Oki Limited Express, local trains (120 min.)

    Point

    Experience a train journey to Inaba, where the Shinto god Okuninushi set off and returned.

  • 15:46 Shobara Station

  • Spend the night in Izumo City (Yunokawa Onsen)

    Known as one of the top three beautifying hot springs in Japan. It is said that Yakami-hime, who legend says traveled to Izumo in pursuit of Okuninushi, unwound at the hot springs here.

DAY 2

  • 8:40 Shobara Station

  • JR local train, bus (40 min.)

  • 9:20  Shinmon-dori Street (30 min.)

    Point

    The approach from the otorii shrine gate at Uga Bridge to the main gate of Izumo Taisha Shrine. There are over 70 stores along the street, including restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops.

  • Walk

  • 10:00 Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo (60 min.)

    A large museum just east of Izumo Taisha Shrine that presents the history of ancient Izumo, including its myths and the story of Izumo Taisha Shrine, through exhibits on an impressive scale.

  • 11:00 Izumo Taisha Shrine (Lunch, 60 min.)

    The shrine honors the Shinto deity Okuninushi, who is also the protagonist of the “White Hare of Inaba” myth. There are also various rabbit statues on the premises inspired by the tale, as well as a bronze statue.

    Izumo Taisha Shrine

  • 17:00  Inasa Beach (Sunset)

    A Shinto ritual welcoming gods from all over Japan is held at this beach on the tenth day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar. It is the setting of the nation’s “Transfer of the Land” myth. The location’s lovely sunset has been declared part of “Izumo, the Sacred Land of the Setting Sun,” a Japanese Heritage

  • Taxi

  • Spend the night in Izumo City

DAY 3

  • All day Sightseeing in Izumo City