Sagiura is a quiet port town on the Sea of Japan coast in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, located north of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. Surrounded by mountains and the sea, the area preserves a fascinating combination of ancient mythology, traditional port-town culture, and beautiful natural scenery.
One of Sagiura’s most important historical and cultural landmarks is Inasehagi Shrine. As a branch shrine of Izumo Taisha, it is dedicated to a deity closely connected with the famous Japanese creation legend known as the Kuniyuzuri, or Transfer of the Land.
Sagiura also flourished from the Edo period through the Meiji period as a port of call for Kitamaebune trading ships. Known as a harbor where ships could wait for favorable winds, it welcomed sailors and merchants traveling along the Sea of Japan. Today, red Sekishu roof tiles, traditional merchant houses, and former sailors’ inns still preserve the atmosphere of the town’s prosperous past.
With its mythology, history, coastline, natural scenery, and traditional way of life, Sagiura offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into another side of the Izumo region.
Nestled among the hills of Sagiura, Inasehagi Shrine has long been worshipped as a branch shrine of Izumo Taisha. Its origins are extremely old, and the shrine is mentioned in both the Nihon Shoki, one of Japan’s oldest historical chronicles, and the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki, an ancient record of Izumo Province.
The shrine’s principal deity is Inasehagi-no-Mikoto. He is traditionally regarded as the son of Ame-no-Hohi-no-Mikoto, an ancestral deity of the Izumo rulers, and played an important role in the Kuniyuzuri legend.
According to Japanese mythology, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami and other divine envoys descended to Izumo at the command of Amaterasu Omikami. They asked Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the ruler of Izumo, to surrender control of the land to the heavenly deities.
At the time, Okuninushi’s son, Kotoshironushi-no-Kami, was fishing at Mihonoseki. Okuninushi therefore sent Inasehagi-no-Mikoto as a messenger to find Kotoshironushi and confirm his position regarding the transfer of the land.
Inasehagi-no-Mikoto is said to have traveled to Mihonoseki aboard the Morotebune, a traditional boat associated with the legend, and delivered the divine message.
The story describes the transfer of the land as being resolved through discussion rather than armed conflict. Because of his role in communicating between the parties and helping bring about a peaceful settlement, Inasehagi-no-Mikoto has been revered as a deity associated with peace and reconciliation.
Inasehagi Shrine retains a strong connection with Izumo Taisha, particularly in its architecture. The main sanctuary is built in the Taisha-zukuri style, one of Japan’s oldest forms of shrine architecture and the style traditionally associated with Izumo Taisha.
The elevated structure, use of relatively unprocessed timber, simple wooden horizontal fencing, and other architectural features reveal strong similarities with Izumo Taisha. Even the posture and design of the guardian komainu statues at the entrance reflect traditions associated with shrines influenced by the Izumo Taisha architectural and religious tradition.
The connection has also extended to periods when Izumo Taisha underwent major reconstruction. In 1744, records indicate that old timber removed during reconstruction work at Izumo Taisha was reused to repair Inasehagi Shrine.
These architectural and historical links demonstrate the close relationship that has existed between the two shrines for centuries.
Inasehagi-no-Mikoto was also traditionally worshipped as a deity who could protect people from smallpox. According to local tradition, visitors could take a small stone from the shrine grounds home and carry it inside their clothing as a protective charm.
There is also a tradition that Emperor Momozono offered lanterns bearing the imperial chrysanthemum crest after his princes recovered from smallpox during the Edo period.
A festival is held every year on October 8, and local residents continue to preserve the shrine’s traditions and cultural heritage.
Sagiura is sometimes described as the port town located almost directly behind Izumo Taisha. The route that Inasehagi-no-Mikoto supposedly took when traveling to Mihonoseki has long inspired various interpretations.
Did he travel directly across the Sea of Japan by boat? Or, considering that the landscape around Izumo Taisha may have been significantly different in ancient times, could the journey have involved waterways connected to Lake Shinji? These questions offer fascinating possibilities for anyone interested in ancient Japanese geography and history.
The Morotebune used in the traditional Morotebune Festival at Miho Shrine, however, is not a large vessel designed for long-distance voyages across the Sea of Japan. The details of transportation routes and the ancient landscape of Izumo therefore remain subjects of historical and archaeological interest.
Sagiura is a particularly intriguing destination for travelers interested in the point where Japanese mythology, geography, and ancient history intersect.
Sagiura was not only associated with mythology. It also became an important port town involved in Sea of Japan trade.
From the middle of the Edo period through the Meiji period, Kitamaebune merchant ships began calling at Sagiura. These large trading vessels traveled between Osaka and Kyoto and ports as far north as Hokkaido, carrying commodities such as rice, kelp, herring, and salt.
Sagiura Port lies deep inside a narrow inlet and is surrounded by hills on three sides, providing shelter from strong seasonal winds and rough seas. Kashiwajima Island at the entrance of the harbor also functioned as a natural breakwater.
Because of these favorable conditions, Sagiura became known as a wind-waiting harbor, where ships could take shelter until the weather improved. Wholesalers, sailors’ inns, warehouses, and other businesses developed around the port.
By around 1888, it is said that a single shipping company was managing more than 100 vessels annually. This gives an idea of the remarkable scale of activity that once took place in the harbor.
Copper had been mined in the Sagiura area since ancient times. The history of local copper mining is said to predate even that of the famous Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, and mining became an important part of the regional economy.
In 1865, full-scale mining began under orders from the Matsue Domain. By 1872, copper refining reached 116 tons. In 1900, the area recorded approximately 803 tons of mined copper and 69 tons of refined copper, demonstrating the importance of the industry at the time.
However, the copper mines closed during the early Showa period. The development of railways also contributed to the decline of maritime transportation, and Sagiura gradually lost its former prosperity as a port town.
Although the local population has declined over the years, the beautiful natural environment and historic townscape remain carefully preserved.
One of the most distinctive features of Sagiura’s traditional townscape is its red Sekishu roof tiles. Sekishu tiles are traditionally produced in western Shimane and are known for their durability and resistance to cold weather and salt damage.
They were widely transported along the Sea of Japan coast by Kitamaebune ships and became a characteristic feature of many port towns. In Sagiura, the reddish-brown roofs create a unified and attractive streetscape.
Traditional houses, merchant residences, and former sailors’ inns line narrow streets. Walking through the town can feel like stepping back into the era when maritime trade brought prosperity to the region.
Some buildings still display their traditional trade names, or yagō, providing further clues to the businesses and families that once played an important role in the town’s maritime economy.
The area around Sagiura Port forms part of the Daisen-Oki National Park. The coastline has been shaped by waves over countless years, creating dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and groups of small islands.
One of the most enjoyable ways to experience the coastline is by boat cruise. Local fishermen and guides lead tours to areas that cannot be seen from land, allowing visitors to approach unusual rock formations and sea caves.
When the sea is calm, boats may be able to enter a cave known as Mikazuki Bay Cave. Sunlight entering through a crescent-shaped opening in the ceiling can illuminate the water below in an enchanting emerald green, creating one of the area’s most memorable sights.
The Sagiura Walking Trail is a hiking route of approximately 2.5 kilometers that follows the coastline and surrounding hills. A side route leads toward the quiet seaside area of Umedan, where hikers can enjoy views of the Sea of Japan.
Plants such as bayberry, chestnut, tung tree, and Japanese camellia grow along the trail, offering different seasonal scenery throughout the year.
Wild deer and wild boar also inhabit the surrounding area. From winter through summer, black-tailed gulls known as uminekos can be seen around the harbor. Their distinctive cat-like calls have earned them the nickname “cats of the sea” and add to the unique atmosphere of Sagiura.
The call of the Kajika frog can also be heard along the Yachiyogawa River. On summer evenings, its distinctive sound becomes part of the natural soundscape of the town.
The Gongen Festival, held every year on July 31, is one of Sagiura’s most important traditional events. Fishing boats decorated with large colorful flags circle Kashiwajima Island while prayers are offered for safe voyages and abundant catches.
The sight of the boats moving across the water against the setting sun creates a particularly beautiful and atmospheric scene unique to this coastal community.
Another traditional event called Shagiri takes place around the New Year. A man wearing an ogre mask performs a ritual dance while rubbing together branches of sacred sakaki, visiting individual homes to drive away bad luck.
These living traditions are an important part of Sagiura’s cultural appeal and demonstrate how the town’s heritage continues to be passed from one generation to the next.
Sagiura offers several ways to enjoy the area, including walking through the historic townscape, hiking, boat cruises, and fishing.
After exploring the traditional streets, visitors can relax at a café created from a former sailors’ inn. Enjoying coffee or a traditional sweet inside a historic building provides a peaceful way to appreciate the atmosphere of the old port town.
Boat tours along the coastline offer another memorable experience. Depending on sea conditions, visitors can explore caves and admire unusual rock formations while experiencing the rugged beauty of the Sea of Japan from the water.
The surrounding waters are also popular with anglers and are rich in seafood. Fish landed in the area include yellowtail, grunt, Spanish mackerel, squid, and flounder.
Sagiura is approximately 50 minutes by car from Izumo Airport and about 35 minutes by car from JR Izumoshi Station. It is also only about 20 minutes by car from Izumo Taisha, making it convenient to combine with a visit to the famous shrine.
Inasehagi Shrine and Sagiura offer a fascinating combination of Japanese mythology, Kitamaebune maritime culture, and dramatic coastal scenery.
Historic buildings in the quiet port town, an ancient shrine connected with the Kuniyuzuri legend, cliffs and sea caves shaped by the Sea of Japan, and traditional festivals preserved by local residents all contribute to the character of this remarkable community.
For travelers visiting Izumo Taisha, a short journey to Sagiura provides an opportunity to discover a quieter side of the Izumo region. Take time to walk through the historic streets, visit Inasehagi Shrine, and enjoy the scenery where ancient legends and the maritime history of Japan continue to live side by side.