Inasa beach

Inasa Beach is a sandy beach in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, and is also popular as a swimming beach in summer. There is a park (Hōnōyama Park) with an observation deck. It is also a stage of the Kuniyuzuri (land cession) myth, featuring Byobu-iwa where Okuninushi-no-Okami and Takemikazuchi negotiated. Though a relatively small beach, Inasa Beach is also known as the place where countless deities are welcomed in October (Kamiarizuki) and gather for “kamuhakari,” a divine conference about people’s connections. A striking sight is Benten-jima: a large rock with a torii gate on top; you can walk to it across the sand now, though it was originally an island. The combination of the beach, island, and sunset is also included in a Japan Heritage story, and the area is often described as a power spot, with sites like Benten-jima, Shiokaki-jima, Byobu-iwa, and Tsubute-iwa to visit. Access: from JR Izumoshi Station, take the Ichibata Bus, get off at “Inasa no Hama,” and it’s right there.