Top 20 Spiritual Destinations in San’in: Mystical Views, Blessings & Peaceful Escapes in Shimane, Tottori & Northern Yamaguchi

Explore Japan’s Most Powerful Spiritual Sites in Western Honshu
Discover the mystical energy of Shimane, Tottori, and Northern Yamaguchi—featuring iconic places like Izumo Taisha and Motonosumi Shrine, along with sacred waterfalls and spiritual mountains shaped by nature. These are the ultimate destinations to refresh your mind, body, and soul.

In Japan’s San’in region you can visit some of the country’s most spiritual places linked to ancient myths. Izumo Taisha in Shimane is famous for love, good relationships, and happy connections, while Yaegaki Shrine is another spot people visit to pray for marriage and good matches. Mt. Daisen in Tottori — often called “the mountain where the gods descend” — has been revered since ancient times.

If you want to feel pure nature, go to Ryuzugataki Falls in Shimane or Mitokusan Sanbutsu-ji in Tottori, where the Nageiredo hall is built high into the cliff. The mossy paths, waterfalls, and deep forest atmosphere make it feel like a cleansing journey.

Farther west, at Motonosumi Shrine in northern Yamaguchi, red torii gates line the coast with the Sea of Japan in the background — very photogenic and great for Instagram. You can even try the local “wish-granting” coin toss. It’s a region where mythology, nature, and Shinto all meet in one trip.