EXHIBITION: Izumo

This year's featured town is Izumo. Izumo is located in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture. The northern part of this peninsula is renowned for its spiritual rites and Shinto places of worship.
At Japan Expo, you'll be able to project yourself on a journey to a remote but culturally rich region of Japan. In the Izumo exhibition, you'll be transported to the heart of the tourist attractions that bring life to the town.

Discover a first glimpse of the exhibition and explore Izumo's sumptuous landscapes with us.

Nature is abundant in Izumo. Surrounded by mountains and the sea, it boasts magnificent rivers, lakes and waterfalls. Izumo is intrinsically linked to regional myths, and have its share of must-see sites and landmarks:
 

• Inasa-no-Hama Beach: on Inasa-no-hama beach is a small island called Bentenjima, which has become the symbol of Inasa-no-hama. Atop a huge rock stands a tiny shrine.
• Shinmon-dori Road: the main street leading to the shrine, as busy as it is lined with souvenir stores and restaurants serving Izumo specialities such as Izumo Soba (buckwheat noodles) and Izumo Zenzai (red bean and mochi dessert).
• The Great Izumo Taisha Shrine: the great Izumo Taisha shrine is dedicated to the deity Okuninushi. It is said that once a year, the myriad deities from all over Japan gather at this shrine to hold a meeting on important subjects such as fate and the bonds between people.
• Tachikuekyo Gorge: a picturesque site with imposing rock faces. The various strangely shaped rocks, 100 to 200 metres high and stretching for around 1 km, are a sight not to be missed.

The lands of Izumo are inhabited by local deities. The people of Izumo collect Inasa-no-hama sand to make charms or to scatter them over the land and fields to receive divine protection.

Culture and tradition enliven the community: pottery workshops, local cuisine, musuems, myths and legends.
Every year, Izumo celebrates the festival that welcomes the deities of Japan, the Kamiarisai: during this festival, various ceremonies are organized in an ancient ceremonial style, such as the Kami Hakari, to bind men and women together, but also to create any other type of bond. And during the Karasadesai, myriad deities from all over Japan leave the great sanctuary of Izumo.

Each place has its own story, and if you'd like to find out more about the town of Izumo, visit the booth of this cultural melting pot! They're just waiting to share their customs at the Izumo exhibition at Japan Expo!