Izumo Province, Historical province in western Honshu, Japan
Izumo is a historical province in western Honshu, Japan, now forming the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture along the Sea of Japan coast. The territory covers flat plains near the water and hilly terrain further inland, with small towns and agricultural areas scattered throughout.
The province gained official status in 710 during the Nara period, with Izumo Kokufu serving as its administrative center. This arrangement lasted until the Meiji reforms of the late 19th century replaced the old provincial system with modern prefectures.
The Izumo Taisha shrine draws pilgrims from across the country who clap their hands twice before bowing, following a ritual pattern different from other Shinto sites. Locals say that during the tenth lunar month, all the gods of Japan gather here, making it the only place where this month is called the month of gods rather than the month without gods.
Travelers reach the region by train from cities such as Osaka or Okayama, with connections taking several hours depending on the starting point. Local buses link smaller towns, and renting a car offers more freedom to explore remote shrines and coastal sections at your own pace.
Local mythology places the entrance to Yomi, the underworld of the dead, somewhere within this territory, sealed by the god Izanagi with a boulder. The site associated with this legend lies in a mountain cave that visitors can still approach today.
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