“Little Kyoto of San’in” – 5 Tourist Spots to Enjoy History and Culture in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture

Tsuwano Town in Shimane Prefecture is also known as the “Little Kyoto of San’in,” a castle town that has continued for about 700 years since the Kamakura period. Located in a lush rural area on the border of Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures, the town is famous for its beautiful scenery. Tsuwano Station is also known as the terminal station for the SL Yamaguchi steam train, attracting many tourists.

Local specialties in Tsuwano include Genji-maki (a rolled sponge cake with sweet bean paste), dark-colored and richly flavored inari sushi, and uzume-meshi. Uzume-meshi is rice topped with dashi broth, with ingredients such as tofu, mushrooms, mitsuba, seaweed, and wasabi hidden underneath the rice. When mixed, it becomes colorful and full of flavor, making it fun to eat. Here are some recommended spots in Tsuwano where you can enjoy history, culture, and hot springs.

1. Relax in a Skin-Beautifying Hot Spring – Tsuwano Onsen

Tsuwano Onsen is a smooth, clear natural hot spring known for its skin-beautifying effects. It has no sulfur smell, and is said to be effective for neuralgia, joint pain, sensitivity to cold, burns, and more. There are two hot spring facilities in Tsuwano: “Asagiri no Yu” inside the Roadside Station Tsuwano Onsen Nagomi no Sato and Tsuwano Onsen Yado Wataya.

Tsuwano Onsen Yado Wataya features an open-air bath with panoramic views over the town of Tsuwano, making it popular among tourists. Since the spring temperature is low, it’s safe even for small children. It’s a recommended hot spring for families.

2. Take a Sightseeing Lift to Reach the Castle Ruins – Tsuwano Castle Ruins

The Tsuwano Castle Ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in October 1942, and are now a beloved public park. It’s about a 5-minute drive from Tsuwano Station on the Yamaguchi Line, then about a 5-minute ride on a lift, followed by a roughly 20-minute walk to reach the ruins.

The site retains stone walls and turret remains, with a continuous line of stone walls creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a “castle in the sky.”

From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of Tsuwano town. It’s a luxurious experience to take in the breathtaking scenery while breathing in the fresh air. For those confident in their stamina, it’s also recommended to climb the staircase lined with red torii gates of Taikodani Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s five great Inari shrines, to reach the summit.

3. Affordable Hot Springs for Private Family Time – Roadside Station Tsuwano Onsen Nagomi no Sato

Roadside Station Tsuwano Onsen Nagomi no Sato is a facility that offers Tsuwano souvenirs, hot springs, hands-on activity areas, and a restaurant. It’s loved by both locals and tourists. A popular specialty here is mame-cha (bean tea), and you can also find unique sweets such as mame-cha ice cream and mame-cha yokan (sweet bean jelly).

This roadside station not only has the large public bath Asagiri no Yu, but also private family baths called Danran where families can enjoy bathing together. In the hands-on area, you can try making crafts such as bamboo dragonflies, pinwheels, stilts, water guns, bamboo baskets, and painting clay dolls.

4. The World Created by a Painter from Tsuwano – Mitsumasa Anno Art Museum

Mitsumasa Anno, a painter from Tsuwano, was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2012. Many people may recognize his work from book covers and picture books he has illustrated. His art is characterized by gentle watercolor paintings, which are highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas.

The museum features exhibition rooms, a planetarium, and a library where visitors can browse picture books, offering a full immersion into Anno’s artistic world. The planetarium—an unusual feature for an art museum—was installed at Anno’s strong request. Why not step into the unique world of Mitsumasa Anno yourself?

5. Worship in the Traditional Manner – Taikodani Inari Shrine

The Taikodani Inari Shrine is one of Japan’s five great Inari shrines and is unusual nationwide for using the kanji “稲成” instead of the more common “稲荷.” It is said to bring blessings for creative endeavors, marital harmony, good matchmaking, good fortune, and protection from evil.

At Taikodani Inari Shrine, there is an old custom called Yonkasho Mairi (“Four-Shrine Visit”), in which visitors worship in order at four spots within the precincts: Motomiya, Myobu-sha, Shinden, and the Worship Spot behind Shinden. Each of these four sites has an offering stand and a candle stand, and following tradition, visitors present abura-age (fried tofu) as an offering.

In front of the chozuya (purification fountain), you can purchase a set containing fried tofu, candles, and matches, and then proceed to visit the four spots in order. The shrine also hosts various festivals throughout the year, so consider timing your visit to coincide with one of them.

◎ Summary

Tsuwano Town in Shimane Prefecture is home to historic shrines, buildings, and numerous sightseeing attractions. By touching the keyaki (zelkova) trees and buildings that have watched over the town for hundreds of years, you can truly feel Tsuwano’s long history. If this has piqued your interest even a little, be sure to visit Tsuwano Town and experience it for yourself.