basic information

Part of the Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Site and to the west of the mining area is the onsen town of Yunotsu. Already known as an area of relaxation during the Edo Period, today the town hosts a number of public baths and ryokan including some that are preserved as important historical buildings.

The nearby towns of Okidomari and Tomogaura are the ports from where they shipped the silver from the Iwami Ginzan Mines. The villages feature Hanaguri-Iwa, special rocks that were used to moor boats to. These can be seen at Okidomari by taking a five minute hike around the bay. The narrow nature trail starts at a little bridge that crosses the small creek on the right side of the dock.

The former roads, used to transport the silver from the the mining area to the ports, are now hiking trails. The trail to Okidomari and Yunotsu is 12 kilometers long and passes nearby two castle ruins, while the trail to Tomogaura is 7 kilometers long. There is a possibility of doing a loop hike as Yunotsu and Tomogaura (near Maji Station) are connected by the JR Sanin train line.

A Ryokan in Yunotsu

Hanaguri-Iwa in Okidomari

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how to get there

Yunotsu is a station along the JR Sanin Line, one hour by limited express train (approx. 3000 yen) or two hour by local train (1450 yen) from Matsue. The town center is a 10-15 minute walk or short bus ride (140 yen) from Yunotsu Station. Okidomari is another 15 minute walk northwest of the town center.

If coming from Omori Town, 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 service in the region is rather infrequent.

How to get to and around Iwami Ginzan

3rd of 3 most visited sights in Iwami Ginzan.
347th of 385 most visited sights nationwide.

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