Shimane?

[teddyursa]

Hi, All,

So I am in Japan... and stuck with no place to stay for 3 nights. Out of desperation, I would be going to Uwajima from Ashizuri Misaki instead of going towards Tokushima to head to Kansai International Airport (KIX). Shimane seems interesting and is quite near Osaka. My question is, if you only have 3 nights, would you go from Uwajima in Shikoku to Shimane and then head off to KIX?

Also, any tips or information on Shimane is appreciated.

Thanks!

[lonesoullost3]

I spent about a month in Shimane staying with a Buddhist priest and his family to learn more about Jodo Buddhism. There's not too much in Shimane (always competing with Tottori for the least populated prefecture), but I absolutely love it there. You can always go to Matsue for the castle there, and then go to Izumo for Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine), which is quite beautiful. Quite near to where I was staying is Iwami Ginzan, the silver mines that produced much Dutch silver during the Tokugawa period. As it were, the priest's main temple Shogen-ji is also located in Iwami Ginzan. IG is also home to lots of old shrines and some pre-modern ruins. In Nima (in-between IG and where I stayed on the coast) is the Sand Castle Museum, which I have yet to go to actually. You can usually take an overnight bus from/to Izumo to/from either Tokyo or Osaka.

[teddyursa]

Hi! Thanks. :)

I am in China now. In the end I did not make it to Shimane. I went to Ashizuri Misaki, and then Uwajima. I visited Matsuyama and went back to Oboke before leaving Japan. MY experience in Japan was really wonderful. I would blog separately about it later on.

[lonesoullost3]

Sorry I couldn't post earlier - my computer was in for repair. Glad you enjoyed your time though!