Yasugi City is located at the eastern edge of Shimane Prefecture, bordering Tottori Prefecture in the eastern part of the Izumo region. From ancient times, the area has developed a rich culture shaped by mythology, history, industry, traditional performing arts, and local customs.
The origin of the city’s name is connected to a story recorded in the ancient Izumo Fudoki. According to legend, when the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto came to this area in the age of the gods, he said that his heart had become peaceful and at ease. The place eventually came to be known as “Yasugi,” a name associated with this legend.
With its deep connection to ancient Izumo culture, Yasugi later became an important setting for history. During the Sengoku period, battles were fought around its famous mountain castle, while during the Edo period the city flourished as a port for shipping iron.
Today, Yasugi is known for attractions such as the world-famous Adachi Museum of Art, the traditional folk song Yasugi-bushi, and the region’s renowned traditional ironmaking heritage, Yasuki Steel. The city offers a fascinating blend of art, history, traditional culture, and industry.
Yasugi has played an important role in the history of the Izumo region since ancient times. In addition to its connection with Japanese mythology, the city witnessed many conflicts during the Sengoku period and later prospered as a major shipping port for iron during the Edo period.
The history of ironmaking is particularly important to the identity of Yasugi. Traditional tatara ironmaking developed in the region over many centuries, producing iron that was transported throughout Japan and contributed to the country’s industrial development.
This long history has left Yasugi with a distinctive collection of traditional skills and cultural traditions. Visitors can encounter this heritage at historic sites, museums, temples, traditional craft centers, and cultural facilities throughout the city.
Yasugi is surrounded by the mountains of the Chūgoku region and Lake Nakaumi, a large brackish lake. The Iinashi and Hakuta rivers flow through the city, creating fertile plains along their courses.
The southern part of the city is covered with extensive forests, while reservoirs such as Nobuse Dam and Yamasa Dam play important roles in the region’s water resources.
The landscape changes beautifully with the seasons. Cherry blossoms add color in spring, lush green mountains dominate the summer scenery, autumn brings brilliant foliage, and winter can transform the countryside into a snowy landscape.
During winter, flocks of tundra swans visit the Nogi Plain. Their arrival attracts photographers and nature lovers who come to observe and photograph the elegant birds.
Yasugi also offers numerous places where visitors can enjoy the outdoors. At Tokami-yama Nagisa Park, visitors can take a relaxing walk or enjoy a picnic while looking across Lake Nakaumi.
The area around Yamasa Dam also has camping facilities where travelers can spend a peaceful night surrounded by nature. Hiking, camping, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities are increasingly popular among visitors seeking a break from the busy pace of city life.
Yasugi is one of the major strawberry-producing areas in Shimane Prefecture. The region’s favorable climate, mineral-rich water, and fertile soil help produce strawberries known for their large size and pronounced sweetness.
Several farms offer strawberry-picking experiences during the appropriate season, allowing visitors to enjoy freshly harvested fruit directly from the plants.
In addition to strawberries, the area produces fruits such as mandarins and grapes. Local cafés also make use of seasonal fruit in colorful parfaits, desserts, and other sweets.
Loach cuisine is one of Yasugi’s best-known local specialties. The fish is closely associated with the region’s traditional culture, particularly through the famous loach-scooping dance performed with Yasugi-bushi.
Loaches are small freshwater fish but are traditionally valued as a nutritious food. They contain calcium, vitamins, and minerals and have long been incorporated into the local diet.
Loaches are also raised in rice paddies in Yasugi. Fish grown in an environment close to their natural habitat are known for their tender texture and relatively mild flavor.
Shimizu Yokan is another traditional specialty of Yasugi. This Japanese confection is said to have originated at Shimizu-dera Temple and has a history dating back to the Kamakura period.
Made without artificial additives, it has a simple and elegant sweetness. As a food tradition that has been passed down locally for generations, Shimizu Yokan has also been recognized under the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Years Food” initiative.
One of Yasugi’s most famous attractions is the Adachi Museum of Art. Its vast Japanese garden covers approximately 165,000 square meters and has been ranked as one of Japan’s finest Japanese gardens by a leading American magazine specializing in Japanese gardens for many consecutive years.
The garden incorporates the surrounding mountains as a natural backdrop, creating carefully composed landscapes such as the Dry Landscape Garden and the White Sand and Green Pine Garden.
Inside the museum, visitors can admire masterpieces of modern Japanese painting, including works by Yokoyama Taikan, as well as ceramics by Kitaoji Rosanjin.
Looking at the garden through the museum’s windows can feel like viewing a living painting, where art and nature are brought together in a harmonious composition.
The Kano Museum is another important cultural institution in Yasugi. The museum’s collection centers on works by Kano Kanrai, a painter from the region, along with works by other artists connected with the local area and a variety of ceramics.
Many of the works reflect themes related to peace. The museum offers visitors an opportunity to consider the importance of peace through art while discovering the artistic heritage of Yasugi.
Yasugi has been closely connected with iron production since ancient times. Tatara ironmaking is a traditional Japanese technique that uses iron sand and charcoal in a clay furnace to produce iron.
During the Edo period, the Izumo region is said to have produced approximately 80 percent of Japan’s iron. Yasugi was one of the important centers of this ironmaking industry.
As Western industrial technology spread during the Meiji period, traditional tatara ironmaking gradually declined. In Yasugi, however, the skills and knowledge developed through the traditional industry helped support modernization.
This eventually led to the development of Yasuki Steel, a high-quality specialty steel known internationally for its performance. It is used in products such as cutting tools, blades, and other precision applications, continuing Yasugi’s long association with high-quality metalworking.
Yasugi is also home to Kanayago Shrine, dedicated to Kanayago-no-Kami, a deity associated with ironmaking and metalworking.
The shrine is regarded as the head shrine of approximately 1,200 Kanayago Shrines throughout Japan and has traditionally been deeply respected by people involved in ironmaking and blacksmithing.
According to local legend, Kanayago-no-Kami descended into this area riding on a white heron and taught people the techniques of making iron. The legend reflects the profound connection between mythology and the region’s traditional ironmaking culture.
Gassan Toda Castle was the stronghold of the powerful Amago clan during the Sengoku period. It is regarded as one of Japan’s notable mountain castles.
The castle made clever use of the surrounding mountain terrain to create a complex defensive system and was long considered extremely difficult to capture. Today, the site is preserved as a National Historic Site.
Walking through the ruins, visitors can enjoy views across the Yasugi Plain and surrounding mountains while imagining the battles and political struggles of Japan’s Sengoku era.
Yasugi is home to numerous burial mounds dating from the Yayoi to Kofun periods. One important archaeological area is known as the Hill of the Ancient Izumo Royal Tombs.
The site offers views toward Lake Nakaumi and the Shimane Peninsula, providing a striking setting in which to consider the history of ancient Izumo.
Among the archaeological remains found in the region are distinctive four-cornered protruding burial mounds, a type strongly associated with the Izumo cultural sphere. Iron tools and weapons have also been excavated, providing evidence of the region’s long relationship with ironworking.
Shimizu-dera Temple is said to have been founded in 587 and has a history of more than 1,400 years. The temple has long been revered as a place for protection from misfortune.
The grounds contain numerous historic buildings and cultural properties, including a three-story pagoda, the only one of its kind in the San’in region. The temple is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and colorful autumn foliage.
Another historic temple worth visiting is Unju-ji. Its beautiful Genroku Garden is a traditional Zen-style garden that changes its appearance throughout the year.
The peaceful atmosphere and seasonal scenery make the temple a pleasant place to slow down and experience a quieter side of Yasugi.
One of the clearest expressions of Yasugi’s local culture is Yasugi-bushi, a traditional Japanese folk song.
The song is famous for its lively “Ara, essa-ssa!” refrain and is often accompanied by the Dojo Sukui, or loach-scooping dance. The performance is especially recognizable for the male dancer’s humorous costume and movements, including a traditional tenugui cloth tied around the head and a small coin placed on the nose.
The playful performance has become one of Japan’s best-known examples of traditional folk entertainment and continues to delight audiences today.
At the Yasugi-bushi Performing Arts Center, visitors can watch professional performers present Yasugi-bushi at close range.
There are also opportunities for visitors to try the famous loach-scooping dance themselves, making the facility a particularly enjoyable stop for travelers who want to experience local Japanese culture rather than simply observe it.
One of Yasugi’s greatest attractions is its rich natural environment. Mountains, rivers, forests, and Lake Nakaumi create beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons.
There are viewpoints where visitors can look across Lake Nakaumi and the Shimane Peninsula, as well as the Nogi Plain, where large numbers of tundra swans arrive in winter.
The city also has photogenic locations that attract photography enthusiasts, including impressive suspension bridges and landscapes whose reflective surfaces can create scenes reminiscent of Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flat.
Spending time in these peaceful surroundings offers travelers a chance to slow down, leave the pressures of everyday life behind, and experience the natural side of Shimane.
Yasugi has several campsites where visitors can enjoy the surrounding natural environment. At lakeside and mountain locations, campers can relax while listening to birdsong and the sound of the wind through the landscape.
Popular outdoor destinations include Tokami-yama Nagisa Park, where visitors can enjoy a waterside setting, and Yamasa Dam Campground, surrounded by the scenery of a reservoir and forested mountains.
Camping in such surroundings offers a memorable way to experience Yasugi’s natural beauty at a slower pace.
Yasugi is one of Shimane’s largest strawberry-producing areas. The local strawberries are known for their large size and rich sweetness and have become a popular regional specialty.
During strawberry season, visitors can enjoy picking fresh fruit at local farms and eating it immediately after harvesting. Strawberries are also widely used in cafés and sweets, including colorful strawberry parfaits.
Mandarins, grapes, and other fruits are also cultivated in the area. The fertile land and clean water from the Chūgoku Mountains contribute to the quality of the local produce.
Local cafés offer seasonal desserts made with freshly harvested fruit. Places such as Sherie Café and Ichigoya Kirito are known for desserts featuring locally grown strawberries.
Yasugi is also home to historic hot springs, most notably Sagi-no-Yu Onsen.
The hot spring is said to have been discovered during the Jinki era, from 724 to 729. According to legend, its name comes from a white heron that healed an injured leg by bathing in the spring.
The source temperature is approximately 50°C, and visitors can enjoy naturally flowing hot spring water.
The mildly alkaline water is traditionally appreciated for its smooth feel on the skin, and Sagi-no-Yu Onsen is also known as a “beautifying hot spring”. Other hot spring areas, including Hida Onsen, can also be found in the city, offering peaceful places to relax amid nature.
Yasugi is not only a city of ironmaking but also a place where a strong culture of craftsmanship continues to thrive. Skills developed over generations are preserved as important regional traditions and continue to be introduced to visitors and people throughout Japan.
Traditional crafts place great value on the warmth and beauty of handmade work. In Yasugi, this spirit remains alive in local workshops and products, allowing visitors to discover the dedication of craftsmen and gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese craftsmanship.
Hirose Kasuri is a traditional textile that originated in Hirose Town, Yasugi. It has a history dating back to the Edo period.
The fabric is characterized by its deep indigo color and simple yet expressive patterns. Like many traditional Japanese textiles, its texture and character can become richer with continued use.
Even today, craftsmen continue to dye and weave Hirose Kasuri by hand, preserving an important part of Japan’s traditional textile culture.
Yasugi also preserves the tradition of Hirose washi, handmade Japanese paper.
Washi has long been an essential material in Japanese culture and has been used for calligraphy, crafts, lighting, and many other purposes. Its soft texture and natural appearance also make it suitable for modern interior design and contemporary art, creating an appealing combination of traditional techniques and modern creativity.
The clean water of Yasugi is also an important ingredient in local Japanese sake. Local breweries use pure water and carefully selected rice to create sake with a gentle, smooth character.
Local sake pairs naturally with the region’s traditional cuisine and forms an important part of Yasugi’s food culture.
Loach dishes are among Yasugi’s most distinctive local foods. The fish has long been closely associated with the region’s culture, particularly through the loach-scooping dance featured in Yasugi-bushi.
Although small in size, loaches are traditionally valued for their nutritional content. They contain calcium, vitamins, and minerals and have long been considered a nutritious part of the local diet.
In Yasugi, loaches are also raised in rice paddies. The fish are grown in a natural-like environment and are known for their tender texture and mild flavor.
Shimizu Yokan is one of Yasugi’s best-known souvenirs. The traditional confection is said to have been introduced from Shimizu-dera Temple during the Kamakura period.
Its simple recipe, made without additives, gives it a gentle and elegant sweetness. After being enjoyed locally for centuries, it has become an important example of Yasugi’s culinary heritage and has been recognized as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ 100 Years Food program.
Yasugi is believed to have been an important center in the Izumo region from the Yayoi period through the Kofun period. Numerous burial mounds and archaeological sites remain throughout the city, providing important evidence for understanding ancient Izumo society.
The region is particularly notable for its concentration of four-cornered protruding burial mounds, a distinctive form of burial mound associated with the Izumo cultural sphere.
Archaeological discoveries in the area include iron tools and weapons, offering clues about the development of ironmaking and the role of metalworking in ancient society.
Facing Lake Nakaumi, Yasugi has a naturally sheltered port and developed as an important center of maritime transportation from ancient times.
There is evidence that the region was involved in trade with the Korean Peninsula in ancient times. During the Edo period, the port became increasingly prosperous as the Kitamaebune trading network expanded.
Yasugi Port became an important shipping point for iron produced in Okuizumo. Iron was transported from the port to destinations throughout Japan, helping support industries in many parts of the country.
The town at the time was lined with iron merchants’ houses, commercial buildings, restaurants, and other businesses, creating a lively port-town atmosphere.
With the introduction of Western industrial technology during the Meiji period, traditional tatara ironmaking gradually declined. Yasugi, however, used its long-established knowledge and skills as a foundation for modernization.
This development led to the production of Yasuki Steel, a high-grade specialty steel that is now recognized around the world.
Yasuki Steel is used in a wide range of applications, including Japanese swords, precision tools, cutting tools, and industrial products. Yasugi continues to develop its identity as a center for research and technological development related to iron and steel.
Located at the eastern edge of Shimane Prefecture, Yasugi City has developed a remarkable cultural heritage from the age of Japanese mythology to the modern era.
Visitors can explore a world-famous art museum, historic temples, the ruins of a powerful Sengoku castle, ancient burial sites, traditional crafts, folk performing arts, and the long history of Japanese ironmaking.
The city’s natural beauty provides another reason to visit. Seasonal landscapes, lakes, mountains, forests, and hot springs offer opportunities to relax and reconnect with nature.
A journey through Yasugi is also a journey through living traditions. Tasting local cuisine, watching Yasugi-bushi, discovering traditional crafts, and learning about the history of tatara ironmaking can provide a deeper understanding of the people and culture of the region.
If you are traveling through Shimane, consider including Yasugi in your itinerary. Here, the landscapes, traditions, and stories of ancient Japan continue to live alongside the culture and industries of the modern age.