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Avez-vous déjà entendu parler de la Préfecture de Shimane (島根県)? Non! … Aucun souci! A vrai dire même les japonais ne sont que très peu familier avec cette préfecture. 

Il s’agit de la préfecture mise en relief sur cette carte! Elle est située dans la région du Chugoku (中国地方) à l’Ouest de l’île principale du Japon et bordée par la Mer du Japon. Même si la population y est très faible et que les environs ne soient pas une zone d’affaires il y a de nombreuses raisons de visiter Shimane! Il y a une multitude de lieux inscrits au Patrimoine Culturel ainsi qu’une forte présence des mythes et légendes.

La 47ème préfecture au classement de Popularité



Pour attirer l’attention et la popularité de la préfecture de Shimane des illustrations promotionnelles ont été créés.

Voilà le genre de slogan qu’elles proposent : 
47ème au classement sur…. 47! 
Shimane c’est près de Trottori, non? 
Du Patrimoine culturel mondiale à Shimane, impossible! 
Non il n’y a pas de sable ni de dune ici! 
‘Souvenez-vous de Shimane!’ c’est pas un peu négatif comme slogan?! 

Pour connaître les auteurs rendez-vous ICI!

Shimane n’est peut-être tout simplement pas mis en avant! A part l'Izumo Taisha (出雲大社), reconnu pour renforcer les liens des couples, qu’y a-t-il de beau à voir dans cette fameuse préfecture? Allons le découvrir ensemble!

Comment s’y Rendre? 

✈️ En Avion (JAL) 
Aéroport de Tokyo Haneda → Aéroport d’Izumo
90 minutes de vol・5 vols par jour

Aéroport International d’Osaka → Aéroport d’Izumo
65 minutes de vol・6 vols par jour

🚈 En Train
Gare de Tokyo → Station d’Izumo Ville
Vous pouvez emprunter le Shinkansen Nozomi et vous arrêtez à Okayama pour un changement sur la ligne rapide Yakumo (environ 6h30 de trajet) 
Vous pouvez également utiliser le train rapide (limited express) jusqu’à Sanraizu (environ 12h de trajet). 

Station d’Osaka → Station d’Izumo Ville
Empruntez le Shinkansen Nozomi et vous arrêtez à Okayama pour un changement sur la ligne rapide Yakumo (environ 4h de trajet) 

🚍 En Bus Rapide
WILLER EXPRESS est une solution judicieuse pour ceux désirant voyager en bus. Vous pouvez visiter la Page Web (Anglais) pour en connaître plus sur leurs services.
 

Les Spots à ne pas Manquer à Shimane!



C’est endroit est parfait pour admirer les couleurs des arbres pendant la période automnale. Nombreux sont les touristes passant pour ici pour se balader et immortaliser ce moment éphémère. 

L’origine du lieu est assez mystique. On dit qu’un moine venait prier régulièrement sous la cascade des lieux afin de soigner les yeux de l’Empereur. Une fois guérit l’Empereur aurait offert le Gakuenji au moine en gage de reconnaissance. 

Gakuenji 
148 Besshochō, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken 691-0022, Japon
📞 : (+81)0853-66-0250
⏰: 8h – 17h
🅿️ : 60 places de parking disponibles
💴 : Adultes 500 yens・Lycéens et collégiens 300 yens・Enfants 200 yens
Réduction disponible pour les groupes de plus de 20 personnes.
Page Web



Pour rejoindre le Sanctuaire Karakama vous devrez grimper la montagne et passer par des endroits escarpés. Ce sanctuaire est connu pour souhaiter un bon accouchement. Le sanctuaire n’est pas grand mais on dit que chaque voeu sincère peut voir le jour. 

Si vous passez par la gauche du Torii vous pourrez également apercevoir une chute d’eau. 

Sanctuaire Karakama
408 Ushirono, Karakawacho, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
🅿️ : disponible
Page Web



Tachikuekyō est passé Parc national en 1964. La promenade vous prendra une petite heure. Lors de votre balade dans la zone de Tachikuekyō vous passerez notamment par deux pont surmontant la rivière.  

Tachikuekyō
Tachikue, Ottachichou, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
🅿️ : disponible
Page Web (Japonais)

❹ Sanctuaire Hinomisaki (日御碕神社) – Un Sanctuaire protecteur de la Nuit

Une légende raconte que le soleil se lève à l’Est au Sanctuaire d’Ise pour se coucher à l’ouest au Sanctuaire Hinomisaki. Voilà pourquoi on dit que ce dernier protégerait la nuit! 

Vous pouvez vous procurer des portes-bonheur dit ‘omamori’ (御守り) au sanctuaire pour vous protéger du danger et de la mauvaise chance! Ces omamori contiennent le sable et la pierre des lieux, ils vous garderont en sécurité!
💴 : 500 yens ・Disponible en 3 couleurs.

Sanctuaire Hinomisaki 
 1478 Hinomisaki, Taishachou, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
⏰: 8h30 – 16h30
🅿️ : 20 places de parking disponibles
Page Web (Japonais)
 



❺ Phare d’Hinomisaki

En dehors du sanctuaire vous pouvez également passer par le Phare d’Hinomisaki. Il s’agit du phare le plus à l’Ouest de la préfecture de Shimane. D’ici vous pouvez avoir une merveilleuse vue sur la Mer du Japon!

Phare d’Hinomisaki 
1478 Hinomisaki, Taishachou, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
📞 : (+81)0853-54-5341
⏰: 9h – 16h30
🅿️ : Disponible
💴 : Adultes et Lycéens 200 yens・Gratuit pour les plus jeunes
Page Web (Japonais)

Une Préfecture pour Un tas d’Activités! ① Vignoble de Shimane

Ici à Shimane vous pouvez non seulement goûter les vins mais aussi en apprendre plus sur le processus de fabrication du vin, acheter des souvenirs et du vin. La maison propose également des repas à base de viande pour accompagner votre vin. 

La dégustation gratuite est disponible dans la boutique, bonne nouvelle pour les amateurs de vin! 
Petit rappel, ne buvez pas si vous prenez le volant! 

Vignoble de Shimane
264-2 Taishachouhishine, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
📞 : (+81)0853-53-5577
⏰: 9h30 – 17h (pour plus d’informations sur les horaires d’ouvertures, rendez-vous ICI)
Brochure en anglais
Page Web (Japonais)
 

② Okamo – Boutique de Sauce Soja

La boutique est tenue aujourd’hui par la 8ème génération de la même famille. En voyant la devanture vous comprendrez tout de suite que l’enseigne a une très longue histoire remontant à l’époque Edo

En plus de visiter les lieux de fabrication vous aurez l’opportunité de goûter aux différentes variantes de Sauce Soja. Goûtez-y avec un peu de pain et vos papilles s’occuperont de vous dire celle que vous préférez! 

Boutique de Sauce Soja Okamo
861 Hiratachou, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
📞 : (+81)0853-62-2045
⏰: 9h – 18h (peut varier le week-end et en jour férié) 
Page Web (Japonais)

③ Sakemochida – Boutique de Saké

Cette boutique de saké a une histoire de plus de 140 ans. Afin de conserver le vin au maximum, la lumière du jour est bloquée. La boutique est donc un peu sombre et soyez prévenu qu’il fait également relativement froid. 

Nous avons eu la chance d’échanger quelques mots avec le propriétaire pour en apprendre énormément sur la fabrication du saké ainsi que les différentes variétés de riz utilisées. 

Boutique de Saké Sakemochida
785 Hiratachou, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
📞 : (+81)0853-62-2023
Page Web (Japonais)

④ Kurumaya – Boutique de Bonbons au Gingembre

La délicieux thé au gingembre que nous avions déjà goûté nous a donné envie de faire un tour à cette boutique qui propose des bonbons au gingembre! Ces derniers sont d’ailleurs en forme de coeur, parfait pour offrir à votre partenaire. Cependant seules les bonbons acheter à la boutique ont cette forme. Pour les achats en ligne ils seront beaucoup plus classiques. 

Boutique de Bonbons au Gingembre Kurumaya
774 Hiratachou, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken, Japon
📞 : (+81)0853-62-2115
⏰: 9h – 19h 
Page Web (Japonais)

Comme vous avez pu le voir même si Shimane est annoncée comme 47ème préfecture au classement de popularité elle propose une tonne d’activités et de lieux magnifiques à découvrir. Pourquoi pas vous laisser tenter lors de votre prochain voyage dans l’Ouest du Japon. 

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NAME:Shimane

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ADDRESS:

島根県出雲市平田町774

島根県出雲市別所町148

島根県出雲市唐川町字後野408番地

島根県出雲市乙立町立久恵

島根県出雲市大社町日御碕455

島根県出雲市大社町日御碕1478

島根県出雲市大社町菱根264-2

島根県出雲市平田町861番地

島根県出雲市平田町785番地

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    • NIIGATA

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西地方) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Shiga prefectures. Gradually becoming one of the most popular areas of Japan, Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and feeding the deer in Kobe are considered a must. Many say the people in Kansai are more open and friendly, making it a fun place to hang out at night.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) has 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Famous for its unique culture and history of Chinese and Dutch trade and Western missionaries, Kyushu offers many historic treasures and beauties. It is also home to some of Japan's most famous natural hot springs due to all the volcanos.

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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