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| December |
31 Dec
Turning of the hourglass - Nima Sand Museum, Nima
The Nima sand museum features a one year sand hourglass, the largest in
the world. The sandglass is 5.2 metres in height, one metre in diameter
and is turned once a year at midnight, on New Years Eve. There will be
a fireworks display as part of the festivities
TEL: Silverland Promotion Foundation 0854-88-3776
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| February |
3 Feb
Kakimoto Shrine Setsubun Festival, Masuda
Bean throwing festival held every year at the coming of Spring to pray
for good health and the well-being of one's family
TEL: Masuda City Tourist Association 0856-22-7120
14 Feb
Fire Festival (Ohimachi Festival) - Itsukushima Shrine, Yunotsu
Locals parade through the streets to the beat of the taiko drum, gathering
in Itsukushima Shrine where wood is burnt in a festival that lasts throughout
the night.
TEL: Yunotsu Tourist Association 0855-65-2065
Aika no Mochi-san - Kousoji Temple, Matsue
A "Big Mochi" festival were mochi rice is harvested a week earlier
and then made into mochi on the day of the event. Participants take turns
running down a slope while a huge mochi cake.
TEL: Tourism and Culture Division of Matsue City 0852-55-5214
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| January |
1 Jan
Izumo Taisha Shrine on New Years Day - Taisha-cho Izumo
In Japan, the customary event over the New Year period is to visit shrines
and pray for good luck and health during that year. Join the crowds as
they converge at the shrine over the first three days of the New Year.
7 Jan
Monobe Shrine Obisha Festival - Monobe Shrine, Oda
A festival to ward off evil spirits in which a traditionally dressed archer
shoots an arrow at a large target
TEL: Oda Tourist Association 0854-82-2555
15 Jan
Imazu no tondo - Saigo, Dogo Island, Oki Islands
The burning of New Year's decorations around four sacred logs which are
stood upright on the shore. Young locals are known to scramble into the
icy cold waters when the logs eventually fall.
TEL: Oki Dogo Tourist Association 08512-2-0787
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| March |
Late March - Early Apr.
Kisuki Cherry Blossom Festival - Kisuki, Unnan
Bring a picnic or barbecue while enjoying the beautiful cherry trees along
the banks of the Hiikawa River. Special lighting allows visitors to enjoy
the trees well into the evening.
TEL: Kisuki Tourist Association 0854-42-1126
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The Shimanean is a publication of the International Affairs Division of Shimane Prefecture
and the Shimane International Center. The views expressed in this publication
are those of the individual authors. The Shimanean may be sent free of charge to all interested parties.
Editor: Tim Mansfield Copy Editor: Alicia Stevens
Comments and enquiries may be made to Tim Mansfield, at:
Shimane International Center, Kunibiki Messe 2F, 1-2-1 Gakuen Minami, Matsue,
Shimane 690-0826
TEL (0852) 31-5056, FAX (0852) 31-5055
E-mailtim_mansfield@sic-info.org WEBSITE www.sic-info.org
This newsletter, and much of the Shimane International Center’s work,
is made possible by donations from many companies and organizations including
Shimane Prefecture, Chugoku Electric Power Company Inc., Sanin Chuo Shimpo
Newspaper Co. Ltd., Sanin Godo Bank, Shimane Bank, Shimane Denko and Sanin
Chuo Television Broadcasting Company Ltd. and various cities, towns and
villages in Shimane Prefecture.
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