a peaceful place to relax under the shade overlooking the Japan Sea.
8th March 2008, HINOMISAKI, Shimane Prefecture
島根県出雲市日御碕
I headed 100km north from Tojo to Izumo City located approximately 30km west of Matsue City on the coast of the Japan Sea for the weekend to meet a friend. Izumo is well known for what is one of the largest and most sacred shrines Izumo Taisha. Thousands and thousands of people head to the shrine each year especially over the New Year period to perform Hatsumade - first visit to a shrine to pray for the year ahead. I have been to the shrine in the past so I decided to do a little sightseeing around the area. Naomi suggested going to Hinomisaki as we didn't go there the last time and that is what I decided to do. The weather was perfect, clear blue skies and a warm start to spring. The 8km stretch of road from Izumo Taisha weaves its way along the rocky coastline showing off its beauty. I stopped along the way to take it the warm sunshine and take a few photos as well as watch the fisherman fishing out on isolated rocks making me wonder how they actually got there without a boat!
the road along coastline heading towards HINOMISAKI.
At the end of the road there is a car park where the lighthouse which to my luck was full when I arrived. I drove around in circles waiting for someone to leave! The whole area is undergoing a beautification stage so the place isn't looking its best at the moment with road, footpath and drainage works going on. The lighthouse itself is an interesting structure. It is the only lighthouse to have been built from stone and has one of the strongest lens allowing its light to be seen 39km out to sea. It is also one of the few lighthouses that can be climbed by those who can endure the steep 160 steps up to the top! The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking, well worth it!
HINOMISAKI lighthouse
the view from the top of the lighthouse
the rock formations below the lighthouse
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