#016 The sacred place where all deities gather
A spiritual journey by my little Matzda and tips to drive to western Japan from Tokyo.
Japanese tourism industry seems to face another tense critical situation due to the rapid spread of Covid-19(BA5) infection. One week average has doubled and some scientists are predicting the number will reach 50,000 per day in Tokyo in the beginning of August. Having hoped the recovery of tourism, the opening the gate for overseas tourists may be badly delayed. I have posted 15 newsletters mainly focusing on tips to travel in Japan, but this time I’d like to share my first long trip experience in the western part of Japan after the pandemic started for the first time.
I visited Shimane and Hiroshima this time since I had to visit the grave of my old friend who died young in Hiroshima. I have a strong tie with Hiroshima since I spent my childhood there for six years. It is so strange that small pieces of memory at that time comes back so easily on the contrary to the fact I tend to forget lots of memories a couple of years ago. Lots of memories flash back even after half century even though the landscape where I used to play around changed completely. Another reason I included Shimane was visiting Izumooyashiro (Izumo Taisha) where my wife longed for visiting for the first time.
Izumo, it is all about deity
Izumo Taisha is a shrine located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Izumo Taisha enshrines Okuninushi no Okami, the deity of marriage. Marriage refers not only to men and women, but to all the ties that surround people. It is said that in October of the lunar calendar, deities from all over Japan gather at Izumo Taisha.
At Izumo Taisha, a festival is held in November, which is October of the lunar calendar, to welcome and see off the deities. “Deity of Marriage” symbolizes the special place for men and women then this place shifted to a kind of must-visit place to have a better chance of meeting partners. So, you used to see lots of young people seeking to meet their partners before the pandemic.
Choices of transportation
The distance from Tokyo to Shimane is roughly 750 km and there are several transportations you can choose. This distance is nothing for those who live in continents, but for us it is far enough to travel and I needed the strong decision to take off by car.
By Air: Nearest airport is Izumo Enmusubi Airport, but the only Japan Airline operates from major airport in Japan. For those who use ANA have to fly at the Yonago Kitaro Airport, which is located east of Matsue and takes one hour by bus from the airport.
Sleeper Train: Limited express train “Sunrise Izumo” operates Tokyo and Izumo-city generally once a day. It departs Tokyo 21:50 and arrives in Izumo-city at shortly before 10:00 the next morning. For inbound, it departs Izumo-city at shortly before 19:00 and arrives in Tokyo at shortly after 07:00 the next morning. This sleeper stain is not as spacious as European trains, but this 12-hour train journey is charming in its own way and you should try if you want to experience and see a different side of japan. Please be aware that this route is very popular, so you may have difficulty in booking.
Driving: This time I drove all the way to Shimane and Hiroshima simply I wanted to drive around once I get to the destination. It took 12 hours and felt it very long. I personally don’t recommend it unless you are crazy about driving. From the point of expenses, driving will save lots of money, especially when you are travelling with 3 to 4 people. But be aware that you can’t rely on ETC=Electric Toll Collection System if you are visiting from overseas for a short time since Japan Express Way Card was suspended due to the pandemic. Even if you obtain your own local ETC card, checking in or out at certain timing will save lots of money. If you either check in or out the gate between 00:00 and 04:00 you will get 30% of reduction. Japanese expressway is well maintained and comfortable to drive, but the only issue is that it is very expensive. It is a bit awkward, but driving late at night will save your money.
Road to Shimane
I could cover the whole route by the expressway to the destination. Whoever is driving from Tokyo to western Japan there are three confusing points. Please refer to NEXCO Central site for more information. The expressway numbering map is as follows.
Road to Nagoya: There are three choices to go to Nagoya. The easiest route is “Shin-Tomei Expressway (E1A)” which was newly built and there are special sections which allow you to make up to 120km/h as a speed limit. You can save nearly one hour with less stress. The second choice is “Chuo Expressway (E20 & E19)”. This route is going through Yamanashi, Nagano and Gifu where you can enjoy a scenic drive if you are driving daytime. Distance of each route is nearly the same and the difference is that you can drive on more straight roads and you can make more speed on the Shin - Tomei Expressway. The third choice is the oldest “Tomei Expressway (E1)” and you should remember it just in case for the emergency evacuation road.
Getting through Nagoya: Getting through the third largest city in Japan is a little complicated. You have two choices; one is taking older “Meishin Expressway (E1)” and another is “Shin-Meishin Expressway (E1A)”. The older Meishin Expressway goes through more populated areas and would be easier to take Shin-Meishin Expressway. The term “Shin” in Japanese means new. To take Shin-Meishin Expressway you have to take westbound at Toyoda JCT which is much before Nagoya and go through Mie. If you are driving from Tokyo on Shin-Tomei Expressway follow the “E1A” sign then you won’t miss. One thing you shouldn’t do is passing Toyoda JCT and getting into Nagoya Expressway. You will end up with missing out of your ETC discount. The basic rule of ETC discount is a continuation of expressway without using regional expressways.
Getting through Osaka: This part is rather easy, even though this area is the second largest city in Japan. There are two different routes for detouring the central Osaka and in my case to Shimane, follow the sign of the Chugoku Expressway (EA2) until Ochiai JCT and take Yonago Expressway (E73) and it will lead you all the way to Yonago.
In recent days you can nearly fully rely on car navigation system, but there are several unmissable points if you don’t want to regret. The same thing happened to me when I was living or visiting abroad. In southern France I entered a toll gate without preparing for coins since I didn’t have a local ETC card. I was stopping my rented car just before the toll gate and puzzled for half an hour without any assistance. Payment system at the toll gate varies in countries.
This time I will wrap up my road to Shimane and I will continue my stories coming weeks. I hope this will give you a bit of help for even those who are living in Japan.