Day two in Matsue

On the second day of our trip, we made our way to Izumo Shrine. It's Japan's second most important shrine.

In the grounds of the shrine


The entrance to one of the shrines

Izumo shrine is characterised by the large sacred straw ropes, called shimenawa, hanging at the entrances.

This is Kagura Hall
The straw rope here is about 13 metres long


People were attempting to throw coins into the straw barrel


Not an easy feat because they kept bouncing off

Izumo shrine is also the home of the deity of marriage. And sure enough, we could see a ceremony taking place in the hall.

I snuck a picture!

There were trees of unwanted fortunes-
tied in the hope of a better one


Fortunes and wishes


People wrote their wishes on these wooden plaques

After visiting the shrine, we headed to the coast to see the Hinomisaki lighthouse.

The sea view was great - a bit chilly, though


Another view


And this is it.

According to the tourist brochures it is thought to be one of the top 100 historic lighthouses in the world. And the tallest in East Asia.

They sold all sorts of barbequed sea-delights at the lighthouse


Anyone for shark?

Next stop was the Shimane Winery and BBQ house. At the "winery" there were some pay-by-the-glass tastings, then a whole section of free-help-yourself tastings. And if wine wasn't your thing (it wasn't mine), you could buy a whole range of wine-flavoured goodies. I bought cakes.

At the BBQ house.
As you can see, fatty meat is mandatory in Japan

We finished the day at a boutique coffee shop called "Libido". Japan is so funny.

This was Bev's delight


And I chose apple pie

More on day three in Matsue in my next post.

Until then,
Monica xxo