Inasa Beach
稲佐の浜
A mythological coast about 1 km west of Izumo Taisha, the stage of the Kuniyuzuri legend. It is marked by Benten Island in the sea and is a famous spot for watching the sunset over the Sea of Japan.
Inasa Beach lies about 1 km west of Izumo Taisha and is the stage for the Japanese myths of Kuniyuzuri, when Ōkuninushi yielded the land to Amaterasu, and Kunibiki. On the beach, the small island of Benten-jima has a small shrine at its tip and appears to stand in the sea at high tide. Every year on the night of the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, a bonfire is lit here to welcome the eight million gods arriving from across the country, who then process into Izumo Taisha. A local custom is to scoop a handful of sand here, offer it at the Sugasha shrine within Izumo Taisha, and receive it back as omisuna (sacred sand) to carry as a charm. Sunset here is one of the Hundred Best Sunsets in Japan. Admission is free. Access: about a 15-minute walk from Izumo Taisha.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Izumo Taisha
- Shinmon-dori Street
- Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
- Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse & Shrine
- Matsue Vogel Park
- Tamatsukuri Onsen
- Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
- Gessho-ji Temple