Things to Do in Shimane
Hand-picked sights and experiences across Shimane.
When to catch the colours in Shimane?
Average red maple, golden ginkgo and cherry blossom dates for Shimane, from the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals — the fortnight to aim for, not a promise for any particular year.
- Red maples
- Leaves turnNov 24
- Peak viewingNov 24 – Dec 8
- Golden ginkgo
- Leaves turnNov 21
- Peak viewingNov 21 – Dec 5
- Cherry blossom
- First flowersMar 29
- Full bloomApr 5
Where to look next?
The prefectures we've mapped so far, nearest to Shimane first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Izumo Taisha — the shrine of matchmaking where all Japan's gods gather each October — the Adachi Museum's perfect gardens, samurai-era Matsue and its lake sunsets, and the World Heritage Iwami Ginzan silver mine.
Its gardens have been ranked Japan's best for decades and are viewed like paintings, framed through the building's windows — the museum literally treats them as living scrolls. Even garden sceptics tend to leave quiet.
The old tenth lunar month — usually November by the modern calendar — is Kamiarizuki, 'the month with gods', when all eight million kami are said to convene at Izumo Taisha. Ceremonies mark their welcome; it's atmospheric but busy.