Fukuoka-Matsue-Osaka: Day 09 @ Izumo Taisha Shrine

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Izumo Taisha Shrine in Matsue is regarded as Japan’s oldest shrine and also the country’s second most important. Like some of the other small towns I’ve visited in this country, there is a main street that leads up to the compound, and the requisite Starbucks and local souvenir shops and small cafes and restaurants line both sides of the street. Our guide – also the conference organiser who accompanied us on this excursion – quipped that this is a really quiet town: shops all close at 5PM every day, with the local Starbucks following shortly after at 6PM.

The afternoon we visited saw a fair number of visitors – mostly locals. There are numerous buildings in the shrine compound, each with its own significance. Many of the buildings have their own signage with a QR code that you can scan to get historical background on the building. I was nursing a toe blister at this point, so was contented to take it super easy and not explore the compound too much! Still, pictures of the visit this hot and humid afternoon:

Sightseeing center with a couple of restaurants and souvenir shops outside the shrine. There were long lunchtime queues for several of these eating places, so I ducked into one that didn’t see a queue and tucked into a soba noodle + tempura lunch set.
After lunch: the Eishokan on our left while we were making our way into the shrine.
Taking a quick picture of the Eishokan.
The Izumotaisha Haiden. The pictures don’t tell it, but it was pretty hot and humid this afternoon!
Figure of the White Rabbit.
Musubi no Goshinzo.
Izumo Taisha Ruinen.

The Honden, or main shrine, is closed to the public. It apparently is only opened on special occasions.
A moat that runs the length of the Izumo Taisha Kaguraden.

We stayed at the Izumo Taisha Shrine area for a fair bit longer than planned, and only left the area at 2:45PM. Next stop: the Shimane Prefecture Ancient Izumo History Museum!