Once you touch down at Yonago Kitarō Airport, the two places you really shouldn’t miss are Izumo Taisha and Sakaiminato. The headquarters of Japanese myth, and the town of yōkai. They lie in opposite directions, but both are close to the airport, and with a little effort you can fit both into one day. It’s a greedy, classic course that works even if you arrive on a morning flight.
The overall route
The rough flow looks like this.
- Yonago Airport → head toward Izumo (morning)
- Izumo Taisha & Inasa Beach (morning to midday)
- Head back toward Sakaiminato (midday transfer)
- Sakaiminato & Mizuki Shigeru Road (afternoon)
- Downtown Yonago or the airport
Check the layout on the map. Izumo is west of the airport, Sakaiminato is just to the north. The stretch in between is the longest leg of the trip.
Morning — Izumo Taisha & Inasa Beach
Head to Izumo Taisha, the deity of matchmaking. The approach in the clear morning air is a lovely time to be there. The worship etiquette here is “two bows, four claps, one bow.” Four claps is what makes Izumo Taisha distinctive.
While you’re here, it’s worth walking the short distance to nearby Inasa Beach. It’s the stage of the kuni-yuzuri (land-handover) myth, and in the tenth lunar month it’s the beach that welcomes the gods from all over Japan. There’s also the “salt-drawing” path that leads on foot from the sands back to the shrine.
For lunch, have Izumo soba (warigo soba) by the shrine gates.
Afternoon — Sakaiminato & Mizuki Shigeru Road
In the afternoon, make a dash for the town of yōkai. Mizuki Shigeru Road is a shopping street where 178 bronze yōkai statues line an 800-meter stretch. You can snack as you stroll, hunting for Kitarō and Medama-Oyaji along the way.
If you can’t pass up the seafood either, head to the Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center. Sakaiminato is known for its landings of fresh bluefin tuna; in winter you’ll find snow crab, and in summer the “Natsuki” rock oysters.
Rental car vs. public transport
- Rental car — A car gives this course the most freedom. The Izumo–Sakaiminato leg is easier to plan around, and you’ll save time.
- Public transport — For Izumo you can use the Ichibata Electric Railway plus JR; for Sakaiminato there’s the JR Sakai Line. The Sakai Line runs the Kitarō trains, so the journey itself becomes part of the sightseeing. That said, crossing from Izumo to Sakaiminato means more transfers, so this is better if you’d rather take one side at a leisurely pace.
Budget guide
Admission itself is free at Izumo Taisha, and strolling Mizuki Shigeru Road is free too. What costs money is meals, souvenirs, transport (rental car or train), and entry fees for places like the memorial museum. Specific prices and timetables change, so please check each spot’s official website for the latest.
Variations
- Focus on myth — Skip Sakaiminato and spend a relaxed half-day on Izumo Taisha + Inasa Beach + the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
- Focus on yōkai — Skip Izumo and enjoy Sakaiminato to the full with Mizuki Shigeru Road + the memorial museum + seafood
- Make it an overnight — Stay at Kaike Onsen for the night, and the next day you can continue on toward Mt. Daisen
