Iwami Ginzan Travel: Access, Orientation and Transportation

How to travel between Iwami Ginzan and Tokyo

Iwami Ginzan is most easily accessed from nearby Izumo City:

By daytime trains to Izumo

Take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama and transfer to the JR Yakumo limited express to Izumo (Izumo-shi Station). The one way journey, using a nozomi train along the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen, takes about seven hours, while an additional hour is required when using a hikari train.

The regular one way fare for the journey is slightly under 20,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on hikari, but not on nozomi trains.

By night train to Izumo

The "Sunrise Izumo" night train operates daily between Tokyo and Izumo. One way fares, including berth fees, start at around 21,000 yen.

Japan Rail Pass holders have to pay around 9500 yen additionally for using a berth, except when using so called "nobi nobi" compartments, a carpeted space to lie down in, which can be used for free with the pass. Nobi nobi compartments are popular and often book out in advance.

By air to Izumo

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Izumo Airport (flight time 90 minutes). The regular one way fare is about 29,000 yen, but by using a discount offer, you can usually fly for between 15,000 and 25,000 yen. Air passes for foreign visitors are even cheaper.

Airport buses connect Izumo Airport with the city center in 25 minutes and for 700 yen (one way).

By bus to Izumo

The one way journey between Tokyo and Izumo by overnight bus takes roughly 12 hours and costs 12,070 yen. The buses are operated by Ichibata Bus and JR Chugoku Bus.

From Izumo to Iwami Ginzan

Take a local train from Izumo (JR Izumo-shi Station) to Oda-shi Station (40 minutes, 570 yen) and transfer to a bus to Iwami Ginzan (25 minutes, 560 yen).

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.

The attractions of Iwami Ginzan are concentrated around Omori Town and the nearby former mining area. Omori Town stretches for about one kilometer along a river, while the mining area is found another two kilometers further up the valley.

Buses operate every 15 minutes between "Omori Daikansho" at the northern end of Omori Town (Daikansho refers to the nearby Former Government Office) and "Sekaiisan Center" where the main parking lot is located. A few of these buses offer direct connections to Oda-shi Station (about 18 round trips per day) and Nima Station (about 5 round trips per day).

While buses run along the entire length of Omori Town, they do not provide access to the mining area, which can only be reached on foot. The two kilometer walk from the closest bus stop, Omori bus stop, to the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft takes about 30-45 minutes along an easy and pleasant walking trail.

Private cars are banned from Omori Town and the former mining area. Travelers visiting by car need to use the Iwami Ginzan parking lot, which is located next to the Sekaiisan Center and is well connected with the town by bus (5 minutes, 190 yen to Omori; 7 minutes, 230 yen to Omori Daikansho). Alternatively you can walk from the parking lot to the Omori bus stop in about 20-30 minutes.

Take a bus to Nima or Oda-shi Station and transfer to the JR Sanin Line to Yunotsu. With a good connection, the journey takes about 45 minutes via Nima Station or about one hour via Oda-shi Station, but note that the train and bus services are rather infrequent. By car, it takes less than 30 minutes.

It is also possible to reach Yunotsu from the mining area by walking along the 12 kilometer long Yunotsu-Okidomari hiking trail, the former main route to transport the silver to Okidomari Port.