Overview
Sahimeyama Shrine stands in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. It is a Shikinaisha, an ancient shrine whose name appears in the Heian-period Engishiki, and its former shrine rank was that of a village shrine. The Sahimeyama Shrine in Ōda City, famous for the Iwami Ginzan silver mine, is said to be a branch shrine of this Masuda shrine. Modest in appearance yet weighty in history, it lets visitors trace the source of ancient faith in Iwami Province.
Highlights
- ●The rank of a Shikinaisha of Iwami Province recorded in the Engishiki
- ●Its lineage as the head shrine of the Sahimeyama Shrine at Iwami Ginzan
- ●A historical background tied to the old geography of Mino district and Iwami Province
- ●The quiet dignity of a guardian long revered as a village shrine
History
Sahimeyama Shrine is a Shikinaisha listed in the register of deities in the Engishiki, compiled in the ritsuryo era, and it carries the old religious history of Iwami Province to the present. It once belonged to Mino district and was counted within Iwami Province. Its former rank was that of a village shrine, a guardian long revered by local people. Above all, the tradition that the Sahimeyama Shrine at the Iwami Ginzan silver mine, known as a guardian deity of the mine, is a branch of this Masuda shrine speaks to the depth of its lineage.
Access
The shrine is located in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Setting out by car from within the city, using JR Masuda Station as a base, is the easiest approach. As mountainside shrines can have limited public transport, a rental car or private vehicle makes for a reassuring visit. Please check official information from Masuda City or the shrine for detailed directions, parking availability, and visiting hours before you go.
Best season
Spring to early summer, when the greenery of the grounds is beautiful and the approach is easy to walk, and clear-aired autumn are recommended. The calm atmosphere unique to an ancient shrine stands out all the more amid fresh leaves or autumn colors. Winters in San'in are cold and often wet with rain or snow, so check the weather before visiting.
Map
34.6801, 131.8933 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Begin your city sightseeing using JR Masuda Station as a base
- 2Drive to Sahimeyama Shrine and visit the quiet grounds of the Shikinaisha
- 3Reflect on the ancient faith of Iwami Province and take in its lineage
- 4Enjoy historic sites and food in Masuda City to round off the day
Did you know?
💡 The Sahimeyama Shrine of the same name in the silver-mining town of Iwami Ginzan in Ōda City is said to be a branch of this Masuda shrine. Reflecting on how the silver miners took the name of Sahimeyama as their guardian deity reveals a history of Iwami where mountains, faith, and human labor are bound together.
Nearby spots
Traveler reviews0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share!