Sagiura is a historic port town on the Sea of Japan coast in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Located north of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, the town stretches around a quiet inlet surrounded by mountains and the sea. From the Edo period through the Meiji period, Sagiura flourished as a port of call for Kitamaebune merchant ships and became known as a harbor where sailors waited for favorable winds.
Today, the town still preserves traditional streets lined with red Sekishu roof tiles, as well as buildings that recall the former sailors’ inns and merchant houses. The area is also known for its beautiful coastline, walking trails, and shrines connected with ancient Japanese mythology.
Fishing boats rest quietly in the harbor, while in the evening the setting sun over the Sea of Japan bathes the town in warm colors. Sagiura offers a peaceful journey through history, nature, maritime culture, and mythology.
The greatest feature of Sagiura Port is its naturally sheltered location. The harbor lies at the end of a narrow inlet surrounded by hills on three sides. Kashiwajima Island at the entrance of the harbor also acts as a natural breakwater, reducing the impact of waves and strong winds from the open sea.
Along the rugged Sea of Japan coast, Sagiura provided ships with a safe place to seek shelter. This natural harbor is one of the reasons people have been drawn to the area for thousands of years.
From the middle of the Edo period, Kitamaebune merchant ships began calling at Sagiura. These large commercial vessels traveled between Osaka and Kyoto and destinations as far north as Hokkaido, carrying a wide variety of goods, including rice, salt, kelp, and herring.
Sagiura became known as a “wind-waiting harbor”, where sailors could rest while waiting for favorable winds. Wholesalers, sailors’ inns, warehouses, and other businesses developed around the port, bringing considerable activity to the town.
On the western side of the harbor, visitors can still find mooring marks carved into the rocks, where ships were once secured. These traces are valuable reminders of the town’s maritime past and the prosperity created by sea transportation.
During the Meiji and Taisho periods, many merchant ships continued to visit Sagiura from the Osaka area. Rice from the Tohoku region and products such as kelp and herring from Hokkaido were brought into the port, making the town even more prosperous.
Around 1888, considered one of the town’s most prosperous periods, it is said that a single shipping company managed more than 100 vessels in a year. Maritime commerce brought considerable wealth to Sagiura.
The town was once lined with sailors’ inns, shipping merchants’ houses, and large merchant residences, creating a distinctive culture associated with prosperous port towns. Traditional houses bearing their old yagō, or family and business names, as well as old storehouses, can still be seen today.
Copper mining also took place around Sagiura. Full-scale mining began in 1865 under orders from the Matsue Domain, followed by large-scale mining and refining during the Meiji period. However, the mines closed in the early Showa period, and the development of railway networks contributed to the decline of maritime transportation.
As sea-based commerce declined, Sagiura gradually lost its former prosperity as a trading port. Nevertheless, the relationship between the community and the sea never disappeared. Fishing remains an important local industry, and fishing boats can still be seen gathered in the harbor.
Walking through Sagiura, one of the first things visitors notice is the beautiful reddish-brown Sekishu roof tiles. Produced traditionally in western Shimane, Sekishu tiles are known for their resistance to cold weather and salt damage.
These durable tiles were transported to ports along the Sea of Japan by Kitamaebune ships and became widely used in coastal communities. In Sagiura, they remain a defining feature of the historic townscape.
Traditional houses and merchant residences line the narrow streets, creating a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of an old Japanese port town. From slopes and areas near the tunnels, visitors can look down over rows of red-tiled roofs, creating attractive views for photography.
In recent years, some former sailors’ inns have been renovated into cafés. Spending time inside these historic buildings offers a relaxing way to experience the atmosphere of Sagiura’s maritime past.
Sagiura is also deeply connected with Japanese mythology. The town is home to Inasehagi Shrine, a branch shrine of Izumo Taisha located north of the grand shrine.
The shrine enshrines Inasehagi-no-Mikoto, a deity who played an important role in the ancient Japanese legend known as the Kuniyuzuri, or Transfer of the Land.
According to the legend, when envoys of Amaterasu Omikami asked Okuninushi-no-Okami to surrender control of Izumo, Inasehagi-no-Mikoto worked to deliver the message to Kotoshironushi-no-Kami, a son of Okuninushi.
The story says that the transfer was ultimately achieved through discussion rather than conflict. Inasehagi-no-Mikoto is therefore remembered for helping bring about a peaceful resolution.
Inasehagi Shrine is also notable for its Taisha-zukuri architecture, the ancient shrine style associated with Izumo Taisha. It is also said that old timber removed during reconstruction work at Izumo Taisha was reused at the shrine, further demonstrating their historic connection.
Sagiura is surrounded by a beautiful natural environment that has remained largely unchanged over the centuries. Forest-covered hills surround the town, while the expansive Sea of Japan stretches beyond them.
The coastline forms part of the Daisen-Oki National Park. Waves have gradually carved the coastline over countless years, creating dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and groups of small islands.
The sea caves are among the area’s most fascinating sights. Openings in the cliffs create mysterious spaces, and many of them can only be approached from the sea.
When sea conditions are calm, boats can sometimes enter a cave known as Mikazuki Bay Cave. A crescent-shaped opening in the ceiling allows sunlight to enter and illuminate the water below with an enchanting emerald-green glow.
The Sagiura Walking Trail begins along the western coast of the town and follows the surrounding hills for approximately 2.5 kilometers. The route is relatively easy to walk while offering beautiful views of both the mountains and the sea.
Plants found along the trail include Japanese cedar, bayberry, chestnut, tung tree, and Japanese camellia. The changing vegetation provides a different landscape in every season.
A side path leads toward Umedan, a secluded seaside area. Sitting quietly on the shore and listening to the sound of the waves offers a peaceful escape from everyday life.
Near the end of the trail, Sagiura Lighthouse provides panoramic views of the Sea of Japan and the area’s intricately shaped coastline. Cliffs, islands, and sea caves combine to create a landscape that looks like a work of natural art.
From around November through July, visitors may see black-tailed gulls, known in Japan as umineko, around Sagiura Port. During the breeding season, the birds come to the Shimane Peninsula and gather on breakwaters and piers around the harbor.
The Japanese name “umineko” literally means “sea cat”, inspired by the birds’ distinctive cat-like calls. Their voices add an especially atmospheric quality to this traditional fishing port.
Kajika frogs can also be found around the Yachiyogawa River. On summer nights, their beautiful calls echo through the area and are said to resemble the cry of a male deer.
Listening to these natural sounds provides an opportunity to appreciate the rich ecosystem surrounding Sagiura and experience the area beyond its visual scenery.
The Gongen Festival, held every year on July 31, is one of Sagiura’s most important traditional events. The festival is held to pray for abundant catches and safety at sea, with fishing boats carrying colorful large catch flags as they circle Kashiwajima Island.
The sight of the fishing boats moving across the water with the setting sun over the Sea of Japan creates a spectacular scene that attracts visitors and photographers. The festival also offers a glimpse into the prayers, traditions, and pride of a community that has lived closely with the sea for generations.
A traditional New Year event known as Shagiri is also held in the town. A man wearing an ogre mask performs an energetic dance while rubbing sacred sakaki branches together, visiting homes to drive away bad luck.
These traditions remain an important part of Sagiura’s cultural identity and continue to be carefully passed down through the generations.
Sagiura offers a variety of ways to enjoy its natural surroundings. Among the most popular experiences are boat cruises led by local fishermen.
As the boat travels along the coastline, visitors can see sea caves, unusual rock formations, and small islands from close range. These dramatic views cannot be experienced from land and provide a vivid sense of the scale and power of the Sea of Japan.
The surrounding waters are also known as good fishing grounds and attract many anglers. The clear coastal waters and rich marine environment are another attraction of Sagiura.
Visitors can also spend time exploring the historic town, hiking the walking trail, and discovering coastal caves, making it possible to enjoy a variety of experiences throughout the day.
Sagiura is approximately 50 minutes by car from Izumo Airport and about 35 minutes by car from JR Izumoshi Station. Izumo Taisha is also only about 20 minutes away by car, making Sagiura an easy addition to an Izumo sightseeing itinerary.
With its historic port-town streets, spectacular Sea of Japan scenery, connections to ancient mythology, and rich natural environment, Sagiura is a distinctive destination in the Izumo area.
Sagiura is both a historic port town shaped by Kitamaebune trade and a community deeply connected with Japanese mythology and the natural environment.
The quiet harbor, traditional streets lined with red Sekishu roof tiles, mysterious sea caves, and festivals rooted in the lives of local residents all tell the story of a community that has maintained a close relationship with the sea for generations.
Take a leisurely walk through this peaceful port town and you can sense the history, beliefs, and everyday lives of the people who once depended on maritime trade and continue to depend on the sea today.
When visiting the area around Izumo Taisha, consider extending your journey to Sagiura. Here, the stories of the sea, ancient mythology, and the history of a traditional Japanese port town continue to live side by side.