Everything about Shimane Prefecture totally explained
is a
prefecture of
Japan located in the
Chūgoku region on
Honshū island. The capital is
Matsue. It is the second least populous prefecture in Japan, next to the
Tottori Prefecture that's a neighboring prefecture on the east side. The prefecture has an area elongated from east to west facing the on the south side and to the
Sea of Japan on the north side. Most of the cities are near the shoreline of the Sea of Japan. There is
Izumo Taisha in
Izumo City, which is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.
The
Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan are also part of Shimane Prefecture, which also claims to have jurisdiction over the
South Korea-controlled island of
Liancourt Rocks (
Takeshima).
History
Early History
The history of Shimane starts with the Japanese mythology. Shinto god
Ōkuninushi was believed to be living in
Izumo, an old province in Shimane. The Izumo Shrine, which is in the city of
Izumo, honors the god. At that time, the current Shimane prefecture was divided in to 3 parts,
Iwami,
Izumo, and
Oki. That lasted until the
abolition of the han system took place in 1871. During the
Nara period,
Kakinomoto no Hitomaro read a poem on Shimane's nature when he was sent as the Royal governor.
Later on in the
Kamakura period,
Kamakura Shogunate forces
emperors Gotoba and Emperor Godaigo to exile to Oki.
Emperor Godaigo later gets away from Oki and begins rallying against the shogunate, which later succeeds.
Middle Ages
During the
Muromachi period, Izumo and Oki were controlled by the Kyogoku clan. However, after the
Ōnin War, the
Amago clan expanded power based in
Gassan-Toda castle. However, in 1566
Mori Motonari conquered Izumo, Iwami, and Oki.
Modern times
In
1871, abolition of the han system places the old Shimane and Hamada provinces in the current area of Shimane Prefecture. Later that year, Oki becomes part of Tottori. In
1876, Hamada Prefecture merges with Shimane and is named Shimane Prefecture. Also, Tottori Prefecture merges in the same year. However, five years later, in
1881, the current portion of Tottori Prefecture separates and the current border is formed. Shimane also claims the use of
Liancourt Rocks, which they're in dispute with
South Korea.
Most major cities are located either on the seaside, or along a river.
Izumo Airport
Iwami Airport
Oki Airport
Rail
JR West and Ichibata Electric Railway serves the prefecture in terms of rail transportation. The Sanin Main Line goes through the prefecture on the Sea of Japan side going into major cities such as Matsue and Izumo. and stations are the major stops in the prefecture. The Kisuki line, which forks from Shinji Station on the Sanin Line, connects with the Geibi Line in Hiroshima Prefecture, cutting into the Chūgoku Mountains.
JR West has 3 Limited Express trains to Shimane, which are Super Matsukaze, Super Oki, and Yakumo.
West Japan Railway Company
Ichibata Electric Railway
Roads
Highways
The four expressways in the prefecture connect major cities with other prefectures. The Matsue expressway connects Matsue with Unnan and Yonago in Tottori prefecture. Hamada Expressway forks from the Chugoku Expressway at Kita-Hiroshima and stretches to Hamada.
Population by Age
Culture
Universities in Shimane Prefecture
Shimane University (National university) (External Link
)
The University of Shimane (Prefectural university) (External Link)
Tourism
Official Prefectural Tourism Website
Prefectural symbols
The prefectural flower is the Mooutan Peony. On the island of Daikonjima, they were grown from at least the 18th century.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Shimane Prefecture'.
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