FY2023 Tourism Recommencement Project
As you are guided around the Town of Omori and the Iwami Ginzan silver mines, you will stay each night in the Abeke House, a popular ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) to visitors from around the world. You will also get to experience Kagura dancing, a tour of theOkubo Mabu Mine, and a meal that includes pounding your own mochi rice cakes.
Izumo Taisha
One of the grandest temples in all of Japan, it is the best place to see shinto culture, as the home to all the gods who dwell in Japan. Every year at new years this temple is packed with people wanting to pray for success in their lives.
Okubo Mabu Mines
The largest tunnel system of the Iwami Ginzan silver mines. You can see tunnels dug by hand during the 1600s as well as traces of machine mining. A guide will take you through the fascinating history of the mines.
Iwami Kagura
Iwami Kagura is an ancient and deeply cultural tradition unique to Shimane Prefecture. While on the tour, you get to not only see a live performance, but also paint your own Iwami Kagura masks to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Dining and Accomodation
Savor the many delicacies of the Shimane Prefecture, from Izumo Soba noodles to fresh seafood.
Walking Tour
The town of Omori still maintains much of its classic Japanese architecture. Enjoy a walking tour that takes you back to the middle ages of Japan, and experience the real lifestyles of the people who live there.
Okubo-mabu in Iwami Ginzan, a part of the Iwami Silver Mine, is a significant site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This location served as the heart of the silver mine that had a profound impact on the global economy in the 16th century, standing as a symbol of historical importance and technological innovation. Exploring Okubo-mabu allows visitors to glimpse into the mining techniques and the living conditions of workers during that time, conveying its cultural and historical significance.
In this Premium Tour, you’ll have a special opportunity to approach the “Fukuishiba,” considered the heart of Okubo-mabu, and experience the mining environment in darkness, just as it was in the past.
Equipped with helmets, boots, and headlamps, embark on an exciting and thrilling adventure into Okubo-mabu! Exclusive access to undisclosed areas, not accessible on regular tours, is a highlight.
Additionally, a high-intensity special illumination enables clear visibility deep into the tunnels, offering sights rarely seen otherwise. Moreover, by turning off the lights, you’ll experience the mining environment in pitch darkness, a sensation that sharpens the senses, creating an experience rarely encountered in everyday life.
We offer a unique viewing experience where, amidst traditional Japanese structures, you can relax on tatami mats in low chairs while savoring Iwami Kagura performances paired with local sake from Yunotsu.
As the resonating beats of the “Yobidaiko” drum echo, members of the Yunotsu Maiko Kagura troupe, adorned in Iwami Kagura attire, will pour the locally produced “Kaishun Hiya Oroshi Cho Karai” sake, crafted this autumn. This sake, named “Kaishun,” is the label of a local sake brewery. Anticipate the filling of your glassware engraved with this name with the locally crafted sake from Wakabayashi Brewery.
A Kagura member (or guide) will introduce the performance and the paired sake. They’ll discuss the seasonal Yunotsu sake that correlates with the act, aiming for you to enjoy the pairing of Iwami Kagura and local sake while understanding the concept.
For guests who prefer non-alcoholic options, enjoy Iwami Kagura-related “Kozo Tea,” utilizing materials from Sekishu Washi paper, and Wakabayashi Brewery’s brewing water, “Shikomi-mizu.”
After the performance, engage in conversation and interact with the Yunotsu Maiko troupe who showcased the Iwami Kagura. Also, dress up in the traditional costumes and accessories for memorable photo opportunities.
“Iwami Kagura” is a traditional Japanese dance-drama native to the Shimane Prefecture. It portrays mythical stories from Japan’s folklore, featuring vibrant costumes, dynamic dances, and dramatic music. The performances often recount legends of gods and heroes, showcasing powerful movements and mesmerizing choreography. These productions are not just entertainment but also a significant cultural heritage, preserving ancient tales and spiritual beliefs through captivating theatrical artistry.
In this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to experience painting sessions under the guidance of Mr. Kobayashi Taizō and Ms. Izumi, inheritors of the Iwami Kagura mask, a traditional craft from Shimane Prefecture. They’ll provide instruction on brush techniques and handling while you paint, and the finished piece is yours to take home.
The Iwami Kagura mask, crafted from Sekishu Washi paper, is a designated Important Intangible Cultural Property, a traditional craft, and part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Sekishu Washi). It possesses distinct characteristics compared to masks from other regions due to its origins in Sekishu Washi.
During this plan, you can select unique production processes typically not offered elsewhere, such as filling clay into plaster molds, Sekishu Washi paper application, and an extraordinary step, “dismounting” the mask from the mold, which showcases the exclusive techniques specific to Iwami Kagura masks.
Dates & Fees
| Dates | Trip Fees Applications must be for at least 2 people. |
| If you are staying in Omoya. – 2 customers per room: 360,000 yen – 3 customers per room: 345,000 yen – 4 customers per room: 338,000 yen If you are staying in Kura. |
*Prices cover accommodation, transportation, meals, etc.
*This tour will be accompanied by a tour guide and an interpreter.
Schedule
| Day 1 | |
|---|---|
| 11:50 Dept. | Depart Izumo Airport |
| 12:30~13:20 | Lunch: Restaurant Kanunrou |
| 13:30~14:20 | Prayers at Izumo Taisha |
| 15:30 | Omori: Takyo Abeke (tour of the house and relaxation time with drinks service) |
| ☆Dinner in the house from 18:00, with desert at the Mu Jaku An ☆Evening: bar time at the Abeke Bar Hotel Information: Takyo Abeke | |
| Day 2 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 | Hotel (Breakfast) |
| 9:20 | Depart hotel |
| 9:30~11:30 | Iwami Ginzan Guided walking tour of Omori town |
| 11:40~12:30 | Lunch: Restaurant Omori-kaikan |
| 12:40~13:20 | Visit Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center |
| 13:30~15:30 | Tour of Okubo Mabu , the major active mining areas in Iwami Ginzan »Learn more |
| 15:40 | Takyo Abeke (free time after arriving) |
| 19:00~20:00 | Iwami Kagura dance performance »Learn more |
| ☆Dinner from 18:00 at the house Hotel Information: Takyo Abeke | |
| Day 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Hotel (Breakfast) | ||
| 9:30 | Depart hotel | ||
| 10:00~12:00 | Kagura mask painting workshop (Kobayashi Kobo) »Learn more | ||
| 12:30~14:00 | Abeke House: Hinaya (Lunch with mochi-pounding experience) | ||
| 14:20~15:00 | Shopping: Michinoeki Goise nima | ||
| 15:20~16:30 | Coffee break and Shopping: Wada chinmi | ||
| 18:00 | Arrive at Izumo Airport | ||
Notes
Please check the following points before applying.
Haneda Airport ⇔ Izumo Airport
If you wish to arrange air tickets, we will arrange the air tickets separately.
*If you wish to arrange this, we will accept it as an arranged travel contract.
Application deadline: 14 days before trip date.
Reserved bus company name: Iwami Tour Inc.
Taxi company name: Fuji Daiichi Kotsu Inc.
Meet-up location: Izumo Airport Arrivals Lobby
Disbanding location: Izumo Airport Lobby
Hotel: Takyo Abeke
Our company will use the personal information written on the travel application form you applied for to contact you.
In addition,personal information will be used the extent necessary for arranging services such as transportation and accommodation facilities for the trip that the customer has applied for,and for procedures for receiving such services.
（Major transportation and accommodation facilities are listend in each schedule.）
Iwami kanko Co., Ltd <https://iwamitravel.com/>
I 701-3 Oda, Odamachi, Oda City, Shimane Prefecture
TEL 0854-82-0663 FAX 0854-82-2221
Shimane Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Agency No. 2-2 (one company) Full member of the National Association of Travel Agents
General travel business handling manager Mitsuo Wada
[Omori Course] Application
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