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Only 38km west of Matsue, Izumo has one major attraction - the great Izumo Taisha shrine, which ranks with Ise-jingu as one of the most important shrines in Japan.
The shrine is dedicated to Okuninushi(ÓÞÏÐñ«), who, according to tradition, ceded control did this on the condition that a huge temple would be built in his honour, one that would reach as high as the heavens. Long revered as a bringer of good fortune, Okuninushi is worshipped as the god of marriage, and visitors to the shrine summon the deity by clapping four times rather than the usual two. Huge shimenawa (twisted straw ropes) hang over the entry to the main buildings. Those who can toss and lodge a coin in them are said to be blessed with good fortune.
