Cultural Experience :
A hands on journey of Iwami and World Heritage sites
- Yunotsu Course

Yunotsu is renowned for its high-quality clay and glazes, thriving as a major pottery hub due to its history of producing pottery, amplified by the anchorage of Kitamae ships. The area boasts a legacy of pottery production, fostering the birth of Yunotsu-yaki.

At the Pottery Museum, which continues to convey the history of Yunotsu-yaki alongside one of the largest existing climbing kilns in Japan, participants will engage in the hands-on experience of shaping pottery under the guidance of active artisans from three prominent kilns: Moriyama Kiln, Tsubaki Kiln, and Tsubaki Kiln Co., Ltd., all following the legacy of Kanjiro Kawai.

Using tools like the potter’s wheel, attendees will create vessels from clay. The crafted pieces will be finished by the museum’s staff and then sent for glazing and firing by the skilled artisans at the Yunotsu kilns before being shipped out.

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.

1. Suggested pairings by Wakabayashi Brewery’s Toji (Head Brewer) according to the season and performance: October to November: Kaishun Hiya Oroshi Cho Kara, Kamegoro Junmai Namazake, Junmai Nama Kimoto Nishida Winter: Kaishun Hatsushibori, Junmai Kaishun Kan, Kamegoro Ichikaire Kan
2. Provision of Yunotsu Sake from Wakabayashi Brewery that complements the Kagura performance
3. Special insights and serving of paired sake by Kagura members dressed in traditional attire
4. Post-performance interaction and exchange with the Kagura troupe members.
5. Comfortable low chairs and seating arrangements with serving trays for relaxed viewing

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.

1. Access to undisclosed areas of Okubo-mabu
2. Special illumination
3. Transportation arrangements (such as taxis) to nearby areas (Kinseikou)
4. Experience of the mining environment in darkness

“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.

This tour offers a visit to an active quarry of Fukumitsu stone (andesite), which has been quarried for 500 years within the cultural area of the Iwami Ginzan region. Guided through the stone extraction and processing processes, from ancient practices to the present, participants can experience a valuable historical journey reflecting the formation of the Japanese archipelago.

Highlights include:
– Exploration of ancient hand-dug quarry sites to modern mechanically excavated tunnels
– Visiting a factory processing Fukumitsu stone while learning about extraction methods and its diverse applications

Additionally, the tour welcomes Mr. Masafumi Tsubouchi, a descendant of the renowned Edo-era sculptor and master craftsman, Tsubouchi Heishichirō Tadayoshi. Mr. Tsubouchi will guide participants in creating stone statues, specifically “Warabe” statues carved from Fukumitsu stone.

1. Participants can undergo Fukumitsu stone statue carving experience guided by Mr. Masafumi Tsubouchi, a descendant of the eminent Edo-era sculptor Tsubouchi Heishichirō Tadayoshi.
2. Sculpted stone statues can be dedicated to the local area as part of the ongoing project by travelers in Yunotsu. These statues contribute to the creation of the “500 Rakan Statues.”

“500 Rakan” refers to a traditional form of Buddhist art in Japan, consisting of 500 carved statues representing the guardians of Buddhism known as Rakan. These Rakan are revered figures who comprehended and attained enlightenment through Buddha’s teachings, garnering widespread reverence. Typically expressed as stone or wooden sculptures or paintings, each possesses distinct appearances and expressions. These artworks can be found in Japanese temples, gardens, and are highly regarded as a significant aspect of Buddhist art.