A Warm Welcome Awaits In Shimane Prefecture, Japan

Shimane Prefecture, on Honshu’s quiet western coast, is often known as ‘Japan’s spiritual heart’. Its Shinto shrines predate any records, and its temples and teahouses, dating from the time of the feudal lords, remain stubbornly intact while others have long fallen.

Around the coastal cities of Izumo and Matsue, in particular, you’ll find a blend of untouched heritage, fine food and deep-rooted tea traditions.

In this area, where meals rely on the bounty of the seas and the mountains, and locals depend on the natural healing waters of the onsen to soothe aching muscles, choosing where to stay can shape your entire experience. The following pair of stays – one lakeside and one seaside – both go beyond being just a bed for the night. Their focus on Shimane cuisine, thoughtful architectural details and accessibility for all travellers set them apart from the rest. Here’s what to expect when you check in:

BEST FOR: Accessibility. This is a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of age, gender or mobility.

On the northern shore of Lake Shinji, the bathhouses and hotel spas in the Matsue Shinjiko Onsen district are fuelled by hot springs that lie 1,250m below ground. The mineral-rich water is said to be invigorating, and the vibe is very much ‘come one, come all’, as the onsen and lakeside area are both mostly flat and accessible, thanks to a network of walkways and easy paths.

This theme continues in the Naniwa Issui Hotel, the first accommodation in Japan to win the “Best International Venue” at the UK’s Blue Badge Access Awards. The shimmering waters of Lake Shinji can be viewed from the guest rooms, and 20 out of the 23 rooms have private open-air or indoor baths overlooking the lake. The hotel’s public bath, softly lit by lantern light, also offers plenty of meditative moments amid the natural stone and the soothing trickle of hot spring water.

Near the hotel lies the Matsue Shinjiko Onsen area, where guests can experience the spirit of “Chanoyu” (tea ceremony) and traditional sweets, a legacy established by Fumai-ko (Matsudaira Harusato), the 7th Lord of the Matsue Clan. The Meimei-an teahouse has a tea ceremony that dates back to the 18th century. The garden offers views of the 17th-century Matsue Castle, one of the few original castle towers left in Japan. Back at Naniwa Issui Hotel, produce sourced directly from the lake is served on an ever-changing, kaiseki-style menu: delicate dishes feature fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and premium Shimane Wagyu beef. It’s the perfect end to the day.

BEST FOR: A feast for all the senses. Savour traditional food, relaxing Jacuzzis, clifftop and coastal views, and the soothing sounds of the sea.

Perched 10m above a pale sandy beach, Izumo Hotel The Cliff feels as though it has been hewn into the rockface. The eight bedrooms are cocooned in the cliffside, like private caves. Natural textures combine with striking sea views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing the outdoors indoors. There are few better places to take in a sunset over the Sea of Japan than from a private Jacuzzi on the terrace. It’s all about relaxing and unwinding by the sea, with a sauna and spa onsite and the beach waiting below. Time
here is marked only by the changing of the tide, slowly drifting in and out.  Izumo City lies not far away. There you’ll find one of Japan’s oldest and most important shrines: Izumo Ōyashiro Grand Shrine.

This wooden Shinto shrine is so old that its founding date is unknown, although it is famous for being the gathering place in Shinto folklore for some 8 million deities. Wandering this complex feels like stepping back through the centuries. The hotel’s beachside location invites slow exploration, too. Seaside walks can take you to Inasa Beach, where torii gates sit atop a dramatic rock formation; further on, you’ll pass observation decks and clifftop lookouts to Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse.

The real draw, however, is the food. Blessed with two lakes, fertile mountains and a coastline, Izumo has seafood, quality meat and soil-fresh vegetables on its doorstep, so the menu centres on ingredients from Shimane. Classic local dishes are served up in the hotel’s cliffside restaurant. But while the panoramic sea view is timeless, the tasting menu changes with the harvest and the tides. You might find yourself tucking into marbled cuts of Wagyu beef, delectable plates of the freshest Shimane vegetables or juicy clams. It’s a taste of the real Shimane.