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Coordinates: 35°13′N 132°40′E / 35.217°N 132.667°E / 35.217; 132.667
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2011}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name = Shimane Prefecture
| name = Shimane Prefecture
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|島根県}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|島根県}}}}
| settlement_type = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| settlement_type = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
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| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ja-Latn|Shimane-ken}}
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ja-Latn|Shimane-ken}}
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 290
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow = 1/2/1/2/2/2
| image1 = Myogaki stone walls (former Makihata site), Chiburijima.jpg
| caption1 = Oki Island Geopark
| image2 = Matsue Castle (51821560071).jpg
⚫
| caption2 = [[Matsue Castle]]
| image3 = Lake-Shinji Yomegashima sunset.jpg
| caption3 = [[Lake Shinji]]
| image4 = Haiden of Izumo-taisha-1.JPG
| caption4 = [[Izumo Taisha]]
| image5 = IzumoSoba WarigoSoba 5dan.jpg
| caption5 = [[:ja:出雲そば|Izumo Soba noodle]]
| image6 = Shimizudani Refinery Ruins at Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine 001.jpg
| caption6 = [[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine|A ruin of Iwami Silvemine]]
| image7 = Susanoo-Orochi.jpg
| caption7 = [[:ja:石見神楽|Iwami Traditional Folk Dance (Iwami Kagura)]]
| image8 = Koujindani Remains 01.JPG
| caption8 = [[:ja:荒神谷遺跡|Kōjindani Ruin]]
| image9 = Sandmuseum Nima.jpg
| caption9 = [[:ja:仁摩サンドミュージアム|Nima Sand Museum]]
| image10 = Hommachi-dori Street in Tsuwano, Kanoashi, Shimane 2.jpg
| caption10 = Herritage street and town in Tsuwano
}}
| image_flag = Flag of Shimane Prefecture.svg
| image_flag = Flag of Shimane Prefecture.svg
| flag_size = 100px
| flag_size = 100px
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| population_rank = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|46th]]
| population_rank = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|46th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = [[JP¥]] 2,689 billion<br />[[US$]] 24.7 billion (2019)
| iso_code = JP-32
| iso_code = JP-32
| website = {{URL|http://www1.pref.shimane.lg.jp/contents/kokusai/kokusai-e/index.html}}
| website = {{URL|http://www1.pref.shimane.lg.jp/contents/kokusai/kokusai-e/index.html}}
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| anthem = [[:ja:薄紫の山脈|Usu-murasaki no yamanami]]
| anthem = [[:ja:薄紫の山脈|Usu-murasaki no yamanami]]
}}
}}
[[File:IWAMI OSAKI HANA.JPG|thumb|right|The coast of [[Gōtsu, Shimane|Gōtsu]] City, Shimane Prefecture seen from the [[Osakihana lighthouse]]]]
{{nihongo|'''Shimane Prefecture'''|島根県|Shimane-ken}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Chūgoku region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Shimane Province" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 859|page=859}}; "Chūgoku" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC| p. 127|page=127}}</ref> Shimane Prefecture is the [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|second-least populous]] prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 [[Square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]]. Shimane Prefecture borders [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]] to the southwest, [[Hiroshima Prefecture]] to the south, and [[Tottori Prefecture]] to the east.
{{nihongo|'''Shimane Prefecture'''|島根県|Shimane-ken}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Chūgoku region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Shimane Province" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 859|page=859}}; "Chūgoku" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC| p. 127|page=127}}</ref> Shimane Prefecture is the [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|second-least populous]] prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 [[Square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]]. Shimane Prefecture borders [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]] to the southwest, [[Hiroshima Prefecture]] to the south, and [[Tottori Prefecture]] to the east.


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{{See also|Historic Sites of Shimane Prefecture|Old provinces of Japan}}
{{See also|Historic Sites of Shimane Prefecture|Old provinces of Japan}}


The history of Shimane starts with Japanese mythology. The Shinto god [[Ōkuninushi]] was believed to live in [[Izumo Province|Izumo]], an old province in Shimane. Izumo Shrine, which is in the city of [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]], honors the god.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp/kamigami/izumo/index.html |title=Izumo Shrine website |access-date=August 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823070951/http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp/kamigami/izumo/index.html |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>　At that time, the current Shimane prefecture was divided into three parts: [[Iwami Province|Iwami]], [[Izumo Province|Izumo]], and [[Oki Province|Oki]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC| p. 780|page=780}}</ref> That lasted until the [[abolition of the han system]] took place in 1871. During the [[Nara period]], [[Kakinomoto no Hitomaro]] read a poem on Shimane's nature when he was sent as the Royal governor.<ref>[http://www.pref.shimane.jp/profile/kisojoho/rekisi.html Shimane Prefecture introduction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970303094623/http://pref.shimane.jp/profile/kisojoho/rekisi.html |date=March 3, 1997 }}</ref>
The history of Shimane starts with Japanese mythology. The Shinto god [[Ōkuninushi]] was believed to live in [[Izumo Province|Izumo]], an old province in Shimane. [[Izumo-taisha|Izumo Shrine]], which is in the city of [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]], honors the god.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp/kamigami/izumo/index.html |title=Izumo Shrine website |access-date=August 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823070951/http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp/kamigami/izumo/index.html |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> At that time, the current Shimane prefecture was divided into three parts: [[Iwami Province|Iwami]], [[Izumo Province|Izumo]], and [[Oki Province|Oki]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC| p. 780|page=780}}</ref> That lasted until the [[abolition of the han system|abolition of the ''han'' system]] took place in 1871. During the [[Nara period]], [[Kakinomoto no Hitomaro]] wrote a poem on Shimane's nature when he was sent as the Royal governor.<ref>[http://www.pref.shimane.jp/profile/kisojoho/rekisi.html Shimane Prefecture introduction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970303094623/http://pref.shimane.jp/profile/kisojoho/rekisi.html |date=March 3, 1997 }}</ref>


Later on in the [[Kamakura period]], [[Kamakura shogunate]] forced emperors [[Emperor Go-toba|Go-Toba]] and Godaigo into exile in Oki. [[Emperor Go-Daigo]] later escaped away from Oki and began rallying supporters against the shogunate, which succeeded.<ref name="super">{{cite book|title=スーパー日本史 Super Nihon-shi|author=古川清行 Furukawa Kiyoyuki|year=2003|publisher=講談社 Kōdansha|isbn=4-06-204594-X}}</ref>
Later on in the [[Kamakura period]] (1185–1333), the [[Kamakura shogunate]] forced emperors [[Emperor Go-toba|Go-Toba]] and [[Emperor Go-Daigo|Godaigo]] into exile in Oki. Emperor Go-Daigo later escaped from Oki and began rallying supporters against the shogunate, which proved successful.<ref name="super">{{cite book|title=スーパー日本史 Super Nihon-shi|author=古川清行 Furukawa Kiyoyuki|year=2003|publisher=講談社 Kōdansha|isbn=4-06-204594-X}}</ref>


=== Middle Ages ===
=== Middle ages ===
[[File:Shimizudani Refinery Ruins at Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine 001.jpg|thumb|right|A view of Shimizudani silver mine refinery ruin, a part of UNESCO World Herritage area]]
During the [[Muromachi period]], Izumo and Oki were controlled by the Kyogoku clan. However, after the [[Ōnin War]], the [[Amago clan]] expanded power based in [[Gassantoda Castle]] and the [[Masuda clan]] dominated [[Iwami Province]]. The [[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine]] was located between Amago territory and Masuda territory, so there were many battles between these clans for the silver. However, in 1566 [[Mōri Motonari]] conquered Izumo, Iwami, and Oki.<ref name="super" /> After over 30 years of Mori control, in 1600 Horio Yoshiharu entered Izumo and Oki as the result of [[Battle of Sekigahara]], which Mori lost. Following the change, Horio Yoshiharu decided to move to build [[Matsue Castle]] instead of Gassan-Toda, and soon after Yoshiharu's death the castle was completed. Later in 1638, the grandson of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], [[Matsudaira Naomasa]] became the ruler because the Horio clan had no heir, and his family ruled until the abolition of the han system.
During the [[Muromachi period]] (1336–1573), Izumo and Oki were controlled by the [[Kyōgoku clan]]. However, after the [[Ōnin War]], the [[Amago clan]] expanded power based in [[Gassantoda Castle]] and the [[Masuda clan]] dominated [[Iwami Province]]. The [[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine]] was located between Amago territory and Masuda territory, and there were many battles between the clans for the silver. In 1566 [[Mōri Motonari]] conquered Izumo, Iwami, and Oki.<ref name="super" /> In 1600, after over 30 years of Mori control, Horio Yoshiharu entered Izumo and Oki as the result of [[Battle of Sekigahara]], which Mori lost. Following the change, Horio Yoshiharu decided to move to build [[Matsue Castle]] instead of Gassan-Toda, and soon after Yoshiharu's death the castle was completed. In 1638, the grandson of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] {{ill|Matsudaira Naomasa|ja|松平直政}} became the ruler because the Horio clan had no heir, and his family ruled until the abolition of the ''han'' system.


The Iwami area was split into three regions: the mining district, under the direct control of the Shogunate, the Hamada clan region, and the Tsuwano clan region. The [[Iwami Ginzan]], now a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] produced silver and was one of the nation's largest silver mine by the early 17th century. The Hamada clan was on the shogunate's side in the [[Meiji Restoration]], and the castle was burned down. The Tsuwano clan, despite then being ruled by the Matsudaira, was on the emperor's side in the restoration.<ref name="aramashi">[http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/aramasi.html History of Shimane Prefecture] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118032551/http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/aramasi.html |date=November 18, 2007 }}</ref>
The Iwami area was split into three regions: the mining district, under the direct control of the Shogunate, the Hamada clan region, and the Tsuwano clan region. The [[Iwami Ginzan]], now a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]], produced silver and was one of the nation's largest silver mines by the early 17th century. The Hamada clan was on the shogunate's side in the [[Meiji Restoration]], and the castle was burned down. The Tsuwano clan, despite then being ruled by the Matsudaira, was on the emperor's side in the restoration.<ref name="aramashi">[http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/aramasi.html History of Shimane Prefecture] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118032551/http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/aramasi.html |date=November 18, 2007 }}</ref>


=== Modern Age ===
=== Modern age ===
In 1871, the abolition of the han system placed the old Shimane and Hamada Provinces in the current area of Shimane Prefecture. Later that year, Oki became part of Tottori. In 1876, Hamada Prefecture was merged into the Shimane Prefecture. Also, Tottori Prefecture was added in the same year. However, five years later, in 1881, the current portion of Tottori Prefecture was separated and the current border was formed.<ref name="aramashi" />
In 1871, the abolition of the ''han'' system placed the old Shimane and Hamada Provinces in the current area of Shimane Prefecture. Later that year, Oki became part of Tottori. In 1876, Hamada Prefecture was merged into Shimane Prefecture. Also, [[Tottori Prefecture]] was added in the same year. However, five years later, in 1881, the current portion of Tottori Prefecture was separated and the current border was formed.<ref name="aramashi" />


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
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[[File:Cape Hinomisaki02.jpg|thumb|[[Cape Hinomisaki]] near [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]]]]
[[File:Cape Hinomisaki02.jpg|thumb|[[Cape Hinomisaki]] near [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]]]]
}}
}}
[[File:松江市 松江城から (29882144321).jpg|thumb|[[Matsue]]]]
[[File:View from Taikodani Inari Shrine 4.jpg|thumb|[[Tsuwano]]]]
[[File:Okinoshima (15066448338).jpg|thumb|Saigo area of [[Oki Island]]]]
Eight cities are located in Shimane Prefecture, the largest in population being Matsue, the capital, and the smallest being Gōtsu. The cities Masuda, Unnan, Yasugi, and Gōtsu had a slight population increase due to the mergers in the early 2000s.<ref name="Yotsuya" />
Eight cities are located in Shimane Prefecture, the largest in population being Matsue, the capital, and the smallest being Gōtsu. The cities Masuda, Unnan, Yasugi, and Gōtsu had a slight population increase due to the mergers in the early 2000s.<ref name="Yotsuya" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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![[Kanji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Gotsu Shimane.JPG|frameless|25x25px]] [[Gōtsu, Shimane|Gōtsu]]
|[[File:Flag of Gotsu, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Gōtsu, Shimane|Gōtsu]]
|江津市
|江津市
|268.51
|268.51
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|[[File:Matsue in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Matsue in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Oda Shimane.png|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōda, Shimane|Ōda]]
|[[File:Flag of Oda, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōda, Shimane|Ōda]]
|大田市
|大田市
|436.11
|436.11
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|[[File:Unnan in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Unnan in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yasugi Shimane.JPG|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yasugi, Shimane|Yasugi]]
|[[File:Flag of Yasugi, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yasugi, Shimane|Yasugi]]
|安来市
|安来市
|420.97
|420.97
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![[Kanji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ama shimane.JPG|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ama, Shimane|Ama]]
|[[File:Flag of Ama Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ama, Shimane|Ama]]
|海士町
|海士町
|33.5
|33.5
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|[[File:Ama in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Ama in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Chibu Shimane.png|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chibu, Shimane|Chibu]]
|[[File:Flag of Chibu, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chibu, Shimane|Chibu]]
|知夫村
|知夫村
|13.7
|13.7
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|[[File:Chibu in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Chibu in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Iinan Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Iinan, Shimane|Iinan]]
|[[File:Flag of Iinan, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Iinan, Shimane|Iinan]]
|飯南町
|飯南町
|242.84
|242.84
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|[[File:Kawamoto in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Kawamoto in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Misato Shinane.gif|frameless|25x25px]] [[Misato, Shimane|Misato]]
|[[File:Flag of Misato, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Misato, Shimane|Misato]]
|美郷町
|美郷町
|282.92
|282.92
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|[[File:Misato in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Misato in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nishinoshima Shimane.gif|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nishinoshima, Shimane|Nishinoshima]]
|[[File:Flag of Nishinoshima, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nishinoshima, Shimane|Nishinoshima]]
|西ノ島町
|西ノ島町
|55.98
|55.98
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|[[Oki District, Shimane|Oki District]]
|[[Oki District, Shimane|Oki District]]
|Town
|Town
|[[File:Nishinoshima in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Nishinoshima in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Okinoshima, Shimane.png|frameless|25x25px]] [[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]
|[[File:Flag of Okinoshima, Shimane.svg|25px]] [[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]
|隠岐の島町
|隠岐の島町
|242.97
|242.97
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|[[File:Okuizumo in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Okuizumo in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Onan Shimane.gif|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōnan, Shimane|Ōnan]]
|[[File:Flag of Ōnan, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōnan, Shimane|Ōnan]]
|邑南町
|邑南町
|419.29
|419.29
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|[[File:Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|[[File:Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yoshika Shimane.gif|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]]
|[[File:Flag of Yoshika Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]]
|吉賀町
|吉賀町
|336.29
|336.29
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==Climate==
==Climate==


The prefecture has a sub-tropical climate. Winter is cloudy with a little snow, and summer is humid. The average annual temperature is {{cvt|14.6|C}}. It rains almost every day in the rainy season, from June to mid-July. The highest average monthly temperature occurs in August with {{cvt|26.3|C}}. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|1799|mm}}, higher than Tokyo's {{cvt|1467|mm}} and [[Obihiro]] with {{cvt|920.|mm}}.<ref name="Yotsuya" />
Shimane prefecture has a sub-tropical climate. Winter is cloudy with a little snow, and summer is humid. The average annual temperature is {{cvt|14.6|C}}. It rains almost every day in the rainy season, from June to mid-July. The highest average monthly temperature occurs in August with {{cvt|26.3|C}}. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|1799|mm}}, higher than Tokyo's {{cvt|1467|mm}} and [[Obihiro]] with {{cvt|920.|mm}}.<ref name="Yotsuya" />


{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:smaller; text-align:right; white-space:nowrap"
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:smaller; text-align:right; white-space:nowrap"
|+ Shimane Prefecture Yearly Averages by Region（Statistics Period：1971 - 2000、Source：[http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/menu/report.html Japanese Meteorological Agency: Statistical Climate Information]）
|+ Shimane Prefecture Yearly Averages by Region (Statistics Period: 1971 - 2000, Source: [http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/menu/report.html Japanese Meteorological Agency: Statistical Climate Information])
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Average Year <br />（Month）
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Average Year <br /> (Month)
!colspan="3"|Oki
!colspan="3"|Oki
!colspan="4"|Izumo (Coastal)
!colspan="4"|Izumo (Coastal)
!colspan="3"|Izumo (Inland)
!colspan="3"|Izumo (Inland)
|-
|-
![[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]<br />[[Saigo (Shimane Prefecture)|Saigo]] 　!! [[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]<br />[[Okinoshima Airport|Saigo Cape]] !! [[Ama, Shimane|Ama]]　!!　[[Matsue]]<br />[[Kashima (Shimane Prefecture)|Kashima]]　!! [[Matsue City|Matsue]] !!　[[Hikawa, Shimane|Hikawa]]　!! [[Izumo City|Izumo]] !!　[[Okuizumo]]<br />[[Yokota, Shimane|Yokota]]　!!　[[Unnan]]<br />[[Kakeya, Shimane|Kakeya]]　!!　[[Iinan]]<br />Akana　
![[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]<br />[[Saigo (Shimane Prefecture)|Saigo]] 　!! [[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]<br />[[Okinoshima Airport|Saigo Cape]]!! [[Ama, Shimane|Ama]]　!!　[[Matsue]]<br />[[Kashima (Shimane Prefecture)|Kashima]]　!! [[Matsue City|Matsue]] !!　[[Hikawa, Shimane|Hikawa]]　!! [[Izumo City|Izumo]]!!　[[Okuizumo]]<br />[[Yokota, Shimane|Yokota]]　!!　[[Unnan]]<br />[[Kakeya, Shimane|Kakeya]]　!!　[[Iinan]]<br />Akana　
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"|Average<br />Temperature<br />([[Celsius|℃]])
!rowspan="2"|Average<br />Temperature<br />([[Celsius|°C]])
!Warmest Month
!Warmest Month
| 25.6<br />(Aug) ||
| 25.6<br />(Aug) ||
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| 120.7<br />(April) || 116.5<br />(Oct)
| 120.7<br />(April) || 116.5<br />(Oct)
|-
|-
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Average Year<br />（Month）
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Average Year<br /> (Month)
!colspan="4"|Iwami (Coastal)
!colspan="4"|Iwami (Coastal)
!colspan="6"|Iwami (Inland)
!colspan="6"|Iwami (Inland)
|-
|-
!　[[Ōda, Shimane|Ōda]] 　!! [[Hamada City|Hamada]] !! [[Masuda City|Masuda]]　!! [[Masuda City]]<br />[[Iwami Airport|Takatsu]]　!!　[[Kawamoto, Shimane|Kawamoto]] !!　[[Ōnan]]<br /> !! [[Hamada City]]<br />[[Yasaka Village|Yasaka]]　!!　[[Tsuwano]]　!! [[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]] !!　[[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]]<br />Muikaichi　
!　[[Ōda, Shimane|Ōda]] 　!! [[Hamada City|Hamada]]!! [[Masuda City|Masuda]]　!! [[Masuda City]]<br />[[Iwami Airport|Takatsu]]　!!　[[Kawamoto, Shimane|Kawamoto]] !!　[[Ōnan]]<br /> !! [[Hamada City]]<br />[[Yasaka Village|Yasaka]]　!!　[[Tsuwano]]　!! [[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]] !!　[[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]]<br />Muikaichi　
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"|Average<br />Temperature<br />([[Celsius|℃]])
!rowspan="2"|Average<br />Temperature<br />([[Celsius|°C]])
!Warmest Month
!Warmest Month
| 26.5<br />(Aug) || 26.2<br />(Aug)
| 26.5<br />(Aug) || 26.2<br />(Aug)
Line 460: Line 495:


===Airports===
===Airports===

[[File:Izumo airport.jpg|thumb|[[Izumo Airport]] terminal]]
Three airports serve Shimane. The Izumo Airport located in [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]] is the largest airport in the prefecture in terms of passengers, which has regular flights to [[Haneda Airport]], [[Osaka International Airport|Osaka Airport]], [[Fukuoka Airport]], and [[Oki Airport]]. The Iwami Airport has two flights each day to Haneda and Osaka and 2 arrivals. Oki Airport has scheduled flights to Osaka and Izumo Airports.<ref>[http://www.town.okinoshima.shimane.jp/event/schedule.html Flight schedule of Oki Airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830091118/http://www.town.okinoshima.shimane.jp/event/schedule.html |date=August 30, 2007 }}</ref>
Three airports serve Shimane. The Izumo Airport located in [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]] is the largest airport in the prefecture in terms of passengers and has regular flights to [[Haneda Airport]], [[Osaka International Airport|Osaka Airport]], [[Fukuoka Airport]], and [[Oki Airport]]. The Iwami Airport has two flights each day to Haneda and Osaka and 2 arrivals. Oki Airport has scheduled flights to Osaka and Izumo Airports.<ref>[http://www.town.okinoshima.shimane.jp/event/schedule.html Flight schedule of Oki Airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830091118/http://www.town.okinoshima.shimane.jp/event/schedule.html |date=August 30, 2007 }}</ref>


* [[Izumo Airport]]
* [[Izumo Airport]]
Line 468: Line 503:


===Rail===
===Rail===
[[JR West]] and [[Ichibata Electric Railway]] serves the prefecture in terms of rail transportation. The [[Sanin Main Line]] goes through the prefecture on the [[Sea of Japan]] side going into major cities such as Matsue and Izumo.<ref name="JR map">[http://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/pdf/index_all.pdf Route map for JR West]</ref> {{STN|Izumoshi}} and {{STN|Matsue}} stations are the major stops in the prefecture. The Kisuki line, which forks from [[Shinji Station]] on the Sanin Line, connects with the [[Geibi Line]] in [[Hiroshima Prefecture]], cutting into the [[Chūgoku Mountains]].<ref name="JR map" /> Ichibata Electric Railway serve the Shimane peninsula from [[Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station]] and [[Izumo Taisha-mae Station]] to [[Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station]].<ref>[http://www.ichibata.co.jp/railway/ Route map of Ichibata Electric Railway]</ref>
[[JR West]] and [[Ichibata Electric Railway]] serves the prefecture in terms of rail transportation. The [[Sanin Main Line]] goes through the prefecture on the [[Sea of Japan]] side into major cities such as Matsue and Izumo.<ref name="JR map">[http://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/pdf/index_all.pdf Route map for JR West]</ref> {{STN|Izumoshi}} and {{STN|Matsue}} stations are the major stops in the prefecture. The Kisuki line, which forks from [[Shinji Station]] on the Sanin Line, connects with the [[Geibi Line]] in [[Hiroshima Prefecture]], cutting into the [[Chūgoku Mountains]].<ref name="JR map" /> Ichibata Electric Railway serve the Shimane peninsula from [[Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station]] and [[Izumo Taisha-mae Station]] to [[Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station]].<ref>[http://www.ichibata.co.jp/railway/ Route map of Ichibata Electric Railway]</ref>


JR West has three Limited Express trains to Shimane, which are ''[[Super Matsukaze]]'', ''[[Super Oki]]'', and ''[[Yakumo (train)|Yakumo]]''.<ref>[http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/category/ra.html JR West website on limited express trains]</ref> Additionally, the overnight limited express ''[[Sunrise Izumo]]'' operates daily between [[Tokyo Station|Tokyo]] and [[Izumoshi Station|Izumoshi]].
JR West has three Limited Express trains to Shimane, which are ''[[Super Matsukaze]]'', ''[[Super Oki]]'', and ''[[Yakumo (train)|Yakumo]]''.<ref>[http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/category/ra.html JR West website on limited express trains]</ref> Additionally, the overnight limited express ''[[Sunrise Izumo]]'' operates daily between [[Tokyo Station|Tokyo]] and [[Izumoshi Station|Izumoshi]].


* '''[[West Japan Railway Company]]'''
* '''[[West Japan Railway Company]]'''
⚫
** [[Kisuki Line]]
** [[Sanin Main Line]]
** [[Sanin Main Line]]
** [[Sankō Line]]
** [[Sankō Line]]
⚫
** [[Kisuki Line]]
** [[Yamaguchi Line]]
** [[Yamaguchi Line]]
* '''[[Ichibata Electric Railway]]'''
* '''[[Ichibata Electric Railway]]'''
Line 483: Line 518:
===Roads===
===Roads===


====General Roads====
====General roads====
*[[Japan National Route 9]]
*[[Japan National Route 9]]
**[[Izumo Bypass]]
**[[Izumo Bypass]]
Line 509: Line 544:
* [[Chūgoku Expressway]]
* [[Chūgoku Expressway]]


===Ferry/High Speed Boats===
===Ferries===
* [[Oki Kisen]]
* [[Oki Kisen]]

===Gallery===
<gallery>
File:IzumoStationbuilding 2018-1-5.jpg|[[JR Izumo Station]]
File:Kiha187-Sanin-Line.jpg|[[Super Oki|Super Oki Express]] in [[Sanin Line]]
File:Ichibata-Taisya-line Series7000.jpg|[[Ichibata Electric Railway]]
File:Izumoenmusubi.jpg|[[Izumo Airport|Izumo Enmusubi (Marriage) Airport]]
File:Terminal building in port of Saigo (Shimane).JPG|Oki Saigo Port
</gallery>


== Economy ==
== Economy ==
In Shimane, the largest employer is the retail industry, employing over 60,000 workers. The supermarket, Mishimaya, and the hardware store, Juntendo, are examples of companies based in Shimane. The manufacturing industry has the second number of employees with 49,000 workers. {{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
In Shimane, the largest employer is the retail industry, employing over 60,000 workers. The supermarket, Mishimaya, and the hardware store, Juntendo, are examples of companies based in Shimane. The manufacturing industry has the second highest number of employees with 49,000 workers. {{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}


===Companies based in Shimane===
===Companies based in Shimane===
Line 519: Line 563:
====Manufacturing====
====Manufacturing====
* [[Izumo Murata Manufacturing]]
* [[Izumo Murata Manufacturing]]
⚫
* [[Shimane Fujitsu]]
* [[Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery]]
* [[Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery]]
⚫
* [[Shimane Fujitsu]]


====Financial====
====Financial====
⚫
* [[The Shimane Bank]]
* [[The San-in Godo Bank]]
* [[The San-in Godo Bank]]
⚫
* [[The Shimane Bank]]


====Others====
====Others====
⚫
* [[Network Applied Communication Laboratory]]
⚫
* [[Mishimaya]]
⚫
* [[Juntendo]]
* [[Ichibata Electric Railway]]
* [[Ichibata Electric Railway]]
⚫
* [[Juntendo]]
⚫
* [[Mishimaya]]
⚫
* [[Network Applied Communication Laboratory]]


===Major factories===
===Major factories===
Line 536: Line 580:


== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==
[[File:Shimane prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Shimane prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
One-third of the prefecture's population is concentrated in the [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]]-[[Matsue]] area. Otherwise, over two-thirds of the population is on the [[coastline]]. The reason is that the Chūgoku Mountains make the land inland harder to inhabit. The capital, Matsue, has the smallest population out of all the 47 prefectural capitals. Shimane has also the largest percentage of the elderly.<ref name="Yotsuya">{{cite book|page=113|title=考える社会科地図 Kangaeru Shakaika Chizu|year=2005|publisher=四谷大塚出版 Yotsuya-Ōtsuka Shuppan}}</ref> The province had an estimated 743 centenarians per million inhabitants in September 2010, the highest ratio in Japan, overtaking [[Okinawa Prefecture]] (667 centenarians per million).<ref>Japan Times [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100915a8.html “Centenarians to Hit Record 44,000”]. The Japan Times, Sept. 15, 2010. [[Okinawa Prefecture]] also had the largest loss of young and middle-aged population during the [[Pacific War]].</ref>
One-third of the prefecture's population is concentrated in the [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]]-[[Matsue]] area. Otherwise, over two-thirds of the population is on the [[coastline]]. A reason for the population distribution is that the Chūgoku Mountains make the land inland harder to inhabit. The capital, Matsue, has the smallest population of all 47 prefectural capitals. Shimane has also the largest percentage of elderly people.<ref name="Yotsuya">{{cite book|page=113|title=考える社会科地図 Kangaeru Shakaika Chizu|year=2005|publisher=四谷大塚出版 Yotsuya-Ōtsuka Shuppan}}</ref> The province had an estimated 743 centenarians per million inhabitants in September 2010, the highest ratio in Japan, overtaking [[Okinawa Prefecture]] (667 centenarians per million).<ref>Japan Times [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100915a8.html “Centenarians to Hit Record 44,000”]. The Japan Times, Sept. 15, 2010. [[Okinawa Prefecture]] also had the largest loss of young and middle-aged population during the [[Pacific War]].</ref>


===Population by age===
===Population by age===
Line 680: Line 725:
</div>
</div>
{{clear|left}}
{{clear|left}}
*Source：[http://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/2004np/index.htm Graph 10/Prefectures Age（In Age groups）, Gender divided population－Total Population]<br/>(Ministry of Internal Affairs Statistics Bureau)
*Source: [http://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/2004np/index.htm Graph 10/Prefectures Age（In Age groups）, Gender divided population－Total Population]<br/>(Ministry of Internal Affairs Statistics Bureau)


{{Population/Japan/Prefectures|name=Shimane|code=32000}}
{{Japan prefectures population|name=Shimane|code=32000}}


{{Historical populations
{{Historical populations
Line 702: Line 747:
== Culture ==
== Culture ==


===Cultural Assets===
===Cultural assets===
[[File:Nima Sand Museum 1.jpg|thumb|right|Nima Sand Museum in Oda]]
[[File:Nima Sand Museum 1.jpg|thumb|right|Nima Sand Museum in Oda]]
;World Cultural Heritage
;World Cultural Heritage
Line 708: Line 753:


;National Treasures
;National Treasures
⚫
* [[Izumo-taisha]] Main Shrine (Izumo City)
⚫
* [[Kamosu Shrine]] Main Shrine (Matsue City)
⚫
* Toiletry case with autumn field and deer design (Izumo-taisha)
* Armour Laced with white thread ([[Hinomisaki Shrine]])
* Armour Laced with white thread ([[Hinomisaki Shrine]])
* [[Bronze bells from the Kamo-Iwakura site]] Unearthed bronze bell-shaped vessel (Unnan City)
* [[Bronze bells from the Kamo-Iwakura site]] Unearthed bronze bell-shaped vessel (Unnan City)
⚫
* [[Izumo-taisha]] Main Shrine (Izumo City)
⚫
* [[Kamosu Shrine]] Main Shrine (Matsue City)
* [[Kojindani Ruins]] Unearthed ruins (Izumo City)
* [[Kojindani Ruins]] Unearthed ruins (Izumo City)
⚫
* Toiletry case with autumn field and deer design (Izumo-taisha)


;Important Traditional Building Preservation Area
;Important Traditional Building Preservation Area
Line 719: Line 764:
* [[Yunotsu]] (Ōda City)
* [[Yunotsu]] (Ōda City)


=== Languages (Dialects) ===
=== Dialects ===
⚫
* [[Unpaku dialect]] (Izumo dialect, Oki dialect, etc.)
* [[Iwami dialect]]
* [[Iwami dialect]]
⚫
* [[Unpaku dialect]] (Izumo dialect, Oki dialect, etc.)


===Universities in Shimane Prefecture===
===Universities in Shimane Prefecture===
Line 728: Line 773:


== Tourism ==
== Tourism ==
⚫
*[[Shimane Vogel Park]]
⚫
*[[Matsue Castle]]
*[[Adachi Museum of Art]]
*[[Adachi Museum of Art]]
*[[Aquas Aquarium]]
*[[Aquas Aquarium]]
⚫
*[[Iwami Art Museum]]
*[[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine]]
*[[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine]]
*[[Izumo-taisha]]
*[[Izumo-taisha]]
*[[Izumo Province]]
*[[Izumo Province]]
*[[Shimane Art Museum]]
*[[Matsue Castle]]
⚫
*[[Iwami Art Museum]]
*[[Mt. Sanbe]]
*[[Mt. Sanbe]]
*[[Shimane Art Museum]]
⚫
*[[Shimane Vogel Park]]
*[[Shimane Winery]]
*[[Tamatsukuri Onsen]]
*[[Tamatsukuri Onsen]]


Line 743: Line 789:


== Prefectural symbols ==
== Prefectural symbols ==
The prefectural flower is the mountain [[peony]]. On the island of Daikonjima, they were grown from at least the 18th century.<ref>[http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/kenshou.html Symbols of Shimane Prefecture: From Shimane Prefecture website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121959/http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/kenshou.html |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>
The prefectural flower is the mountain [[peony]]. On the island of Daikonjima, they have been grown from at least the 18th century.<ref>[http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/kenshou.html Symbols of Shimane Prefecture: From Shimane Prefecture website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121959/http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/kenshou.html |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 752: Line 798:


==References==
==References==
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&client=firefox-a ''Japan encyclopedia.''] Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58053128?referer=di&ht=edition OCLC 58053128]
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC ''Japan encyclopedia.''] Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58053128?referer=di&ht=edition OCLC 58053128]


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 13:29, 12 November 2024

"Shimane" redirects here. For other uses, see Shimane (disambiguation).

Shimane Prefecture
島根県
Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
 • Japanese島根県
 • RōmajiShimane-ken
Oki Island Geopark
Herritage street and town in Tsuwano
Flag of Shimane Prefecture
Flag
Official logo of Shimane Prefecture
Symbol
Anthem: Usu-murasaki no yamanami
Location of Shimane Prefecture
CountryJapan
RegionChūgoku (San'in)
IslandHonshu
CapitalMatsue
SubdivisionsDistricts: 5, Municipalities: 19
Government
 • GovernorTatsuya Maruyama
Area
 • Total
6,708.26 km2 (2,590.07 sq mi)
 • Rank19th
Population
 (February 1, 2021)
 • Total
665,205
 • Rank46th
 • Density99/km2 (260/sq mi)
GDP
[1]
 • TotalJP¥ 2,689 billion
US$ 24.7 billion (2019)
ISO 3166 codeJP-32
Websitewww1.pref.shimane.lg.jp/contents/kokusai/kokusai-e/index.html
Symbols of Japan
BirdWhooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
FishFlying Fish
FlowerMoutan peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)
TreeJapanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii)
The coast of Gōtsu City, Shimane Prefecture seen from the Osakihana lighthouse

Shimane Prefecture (島根県, Shimane-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu.[2] Shimane Prefecture is the second-least populous prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 km2. Shimane Prefecture borders Yamaguchi Prefecture to the southwest, Hiroshima Prefecture to the south, and Tottori Prefecture to the east.

Matsue is the capital and largest city of Shimane Prefecture, with other major cities including Izumo, Hamada, and Masuda.[3] Shimane Prefecture contains the majority of the Lake Shinji-Nakaumi metropolitan area centered on Matsue, and with a population of approximately 600,000 is Japan's third-largest metropolitan area on the Sea of Japan coast after Niigata and Greater Kanazawa. Shimane Prefecture is bounded by the Sea of Japan coastline on the north, where two-thirds of the population live, and the Chūgoku Mountains on the south. Shimane Prefecture governs the Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan which juridically includes the disputed Liancourt Rocks (竹島, Takeshima). Shimane Prefecture is home to Izumo-taisha, one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, and the Tokugawa-era Matsue Castle.

History

Matsue Castle

Early history

See also: Historic Sites of Shimane Prefecture and Old provinces of Japan

The history of Shimane starts with Japanese mythology. The Shinto god Ōkuninushi was believed to live in Izumo, an old province in Shimane. Izumo Shrine, which is in the city of Izumo, honors the god.[4] At that time, the current Shimane prefecture was divided into three parts: Iwami, Izumo, and Oki.[5] That lasted until the abolition of the han system took place in 1871. During the Nara period, Kakinomoto no Hitomaro wrote a poem on Shimane's nature when he was sent as the Royal governor.[6]

Later on in the Kamakura period (1185–1333), the Kamakura shogunate forced emperors Go-Toba and Godaigo into exile in Oki. Emperor Go-Daigo later escaped from Oki and began rallying supporters against the shogunate, which proved successful.[7]

Middle ages

A view of Shimizudani silver mine refinery ruin, a part of UNESCO World Herritage area

During the Muromachi period (1336–1573), Izumo and Oki were controlled by the Kyōgoku clan. However, after the Ōnin War, the Amago clan expanded power based in Gassantoda Castle and the Masuda clan dominated Iwami Province. The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was located between Amago territory and Masuda territory, and there were many battles between the clans for the silver. In 1566 Mōri Motonari conquered Izumo, Iwami, and Oki.[7] In 1600, after over 30 years of Mori control, Horio Yoshiharu entered Izumo and Oki as the result of Battle of Sekigahara, which Mori lost. Following the change, Horio Yoshiharu decided to move to build Matsue Castle instead of Gassan-Toda, and soon after Yoshiharu's death the castle was completed. In 1638, the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu Matsudaira Naomasa [ja] became the ruler because the Horio clan had no heir, and his family ruled until the abolition of the han system.

The Iwami area was split into three regions: the mining district, under the direct control of the Shogunate, the Hamada clan region, and the Tsuwano clan region. The Iwami Ginzan, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, produced silver and was one of the nation's largest silver mines by the early 17th century. The Hamada clan was on the shogunate's side in the Meiji Restoration, and the castle was burned down. The Tsuwano clan, despite then being ruled by the Matsudaira, was on the emperor's side in the restoration.[8]

Modern age

In 1871, the abolition of the han system placed the old Shimane and Hamada Provinces in the current area of Shimane Prefecture. Later that year, Oki became part of Tottori. In 1876, Hamada Prefecture was merged into Shimane Prefecture. Also, Tottori Prefecture was added in the same year. However, five years later, in 1881, the current portion of Tottori Prefecture was separated and the current border was formed.[8]

Geography

Shimane Prefecture is situated on the Sea of Japan side of the Chūgoku region. Because of its mountainous landscape, rice farming is done mostly in the Izumo plain where the city of Izumo is located.[9] Another major landform is the Shimane peninsula. The peninsula is located across the Sea of Japan from Izumo to Sakaiminato, which is located in Tottori prefecture. Also, the peninsula created two brackish lakes, Lake Shinji and Nakaumi. The island of Daikon is located in Nakaumi. Off the main island of Honshū, the island of Oki belongs to Shimane prefecture as well. The island itself is in the Daisen-Oki National Park.[9] Shimane also claims the use of Liancourt Rocks, over which they are in dispute with South Korea.[10]

As of 1 April 2012, 6% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely Daisen-Oki National Park; Hiba-Dōgo-Taishaku and Nishi-Chūgoku Sanchi Quasi-National Parks; and eleven Prefectural Natural Parks.[11]

Most major cities are located either on the seaside, or along a river.[9]

Cities

See also: List of cities in Shimane Prefecture by population
Map of Shimane Prefecture
     City      Town      Village
Cape Hinomisaki near Izumo
Matsue
Tsuwano
Saigo area of Oki Island

Eight cities are located in Shimane Prefecture, the largest in population being Matsue, the capital, and the smallest being Gōtsu. The cities Masuda, Unnan, Yasugi, and Gōtsu had a slight population increase due to the mergers in the early 2000s.[12]

Name Area (km2) Population Map
Rōmaji Kanji
Gōtsu 江津市 268.51 24,009
Hamada 浜田市 689.6 57,142
Izumo 出雲市 624.36 172,039
Masuda 益田市 733.16 46,892
Matsue (capital) 松江市 572.99 202,008
Ōda 大田市 436.11 34,354
Unnan 雲南市 553.4 38,281
Yasugi 安来市 420.97 38,875

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages of each district. The number of towns and villages greatly decreased during the mergers. However, they hold about one-third of the prefecture's population.[12]

Name Area (km2) Population District Type Map
Rōmaji Kanji
Ama 海士町 33.5 2,293 Oki District Town
Chibu 知夫村 13.7 657 Oki District Village
Iinan 飯南町 242.84 4,908 Iishi District Town
Kawamoto 川本町 106.39 3,331 Ōchi District Town
Misato 美郷町 282.92 4,712 Ōchi District Town
Nishinoshima 西ノ島町 55.98 2,923 Oki District Town
Okinoshima 隠岐の島町 242.97 14,422 Oki District Town
Okuizumo 奥出雲町 368.06 12,655 Nita District Town
Ōnan 邑南町 419.29 10,922 Ōchi District Town
Tsuwano 津和野町 307.09 7,478 Kanoashi District Town
Yoshika 吉賀町 336.29 6,231 Kanoashi District Town

Mergers

Main article: List of mergers in Shimane Prefecture
April 1976 January 2011 January 2012
Izumo Region Matsue City (Old System) Matsue City (New System) Matsue City
(August 1, 2011 Merger with Higashiizumo Town)
Yatsuka District Kashima Town
Shimane Town
Mihonoseki Town
Yakumo Village
Tamayu Town
Shinji Town
Yatsuka Town
Higashiizumo Town
Yasugi City (Old System) Yasugi City (New System) Yasugi City
Nogi District Hirose Town
Hakuta Town
Nita District Yokota Town Okuizumo Town
Nita Town
Izumo City (Old System) Izumo City (New System) Izumo City
(October 1, 2011 Merger with Hikawa Town)
Hirata City
Hikawa District Taisha Town
Koryo Town
Taki Town
Sada Town
Hikawa Town
Ōhara District Daitō Town Unnan City
Kamo Town
Kisuki Town
Iishi District Mitoya Town
Kakeya Town
Yoshida Village
Tonbara Town Iinan Town
Akagi Town
Iwami Region Ōda City (Old System) Ōda City (New System) Ōda City
Nima District Yunotsu Town
Nima Town
Gōtsu City (Old System) Gōtsu City (New System) Gōtsu City
Ōchi District Sakurae Town
Ōchi Town Misato Town
Daiwa Village
Iwami Town Ōnan Town
Mizuho Town
Hasumi Village
Kawamoto Town
Hamada City (Old System) Hamada City (New System) Hamada City
Naka District Asahi Town
Kanagi Town
Misumi Town
Yasaka Village
Masuda City (Old System) Masuda City (New System) Masuda City
Mino District Mito Town
Hikimi Town
Kanoashi District Tsuwano Town (Old System) Tsuwano Town (New System) Tsuwano Town
Nichihara Town
Muikaichi Town Yoshika Town
Kakinoki Village
Oki Region Oki District Saigō Town Okinoshima Town
Fuse Village
Goka Village
Tsuma Village
Nishinoshima Town
Ama Town
Chibu Village

Climate

Shimane prefecture has a sub-tropical climate. Winter is cloudy with a little snow, and summer is humid. The average annual temperature is 14.6 °C (58.3 °F). It rains almost every day in the rainy season, from June to mid-July. The highest average monthly temperature occurs in August with 26.3 °C (79.3 °F). The average annual precipitation is 1,799 millimetres (70.8 in), higher than Tokyo's 1,467 mm (57.8 in) and Obihiro with 920 mm (36.2 in).[12]

Shimane Prefecture Yearly Averages by Region (Statistics Period: 1971 - 2000, Source: Japanese Meteorological Agency: Statistical Climate Information)
Average Year
(Month) 		Oki Izumo (Coastal) Izumo (Inland)
Okinoshima
Saigo 　		 Okinoshima
Saigo Cape		 Ama　 　Matsue
Kashima　		 Matsue 　Hikawa　 Izumo 　Okuizumo
Yokota　		 　Unnan
Kakeya　		 　Iinan
Akana　
Average
Temperature
(°C) 		Warmest Month 25.6
(Aug)		 25.8
(Aug)		 25.6
(Aug) 		26.3
(Aug)		 25.8
(Aug)		 24.0
(Aug) 		24.5
(Aug)		 23.4
(Aug)
Coldest Month 3.9
(Feb)		 4.5
(Feb)		 4.4
(Feb) 		4.2
(Jan)		 4.5
(Feb)		 0.7
(Feb) 		2.3
(Feb)		 0.4
(Jan, Feb)
Rainfall
(mm) 		Heaviest Month 211.6
(Sept)		 227.0
(July)		 218.0
(Sept) 		240.5
(July)		 236.2
(July)		 234.2
(July) 		257.1
(July)		 282.2
(July)
Driest Month 110.4
(Oct)		 96.4
(Feb)		 104.7
(April) 		114.5
(April)		 96.3
(Feb)		 103.4
(April) 		120.7
(April)		 116.5
(Oct)
Average Year
(Month) 		Iwami (Coastal) Iwami (Inland)
　Ōda 　 Hamada Masuda　 Masuda City
Takatsu　		 　Kawamoto 　Ōnan
 Hamada City
Yasaka　		 　Tsuwano　 Yoshika 　Yoshika
Muikaichi　
Average
Temperature
(°C) 		Warmest Month 26.5
(Aug)		 26.2
(Aug) 		26.8
(Aug)		 24.2
(Aug)		 23.9
(Aug) 		23.6
(Aug)		 25.7
(Aug) 		24.5
(Aug)
Coldest Month 4.9
(Jan, Feb)		 5.8
(Feb) 		5.4
(Jan, Feb)		 2.7
(Jan)		 0.8
(Jan) 		1.5
(Jan)		 3.0
(Jan) 		1.9
(Jan)
Rainfall
(mm) 		Heaviest Month 246.3
(July)		 257.7
(July) 		223.9
(June)		 260.2
(July)		 260.6
(July) 		340.0
(July)		 285.6
(July) 		337.4
(June)
Driest Month 98.3
(Feb)		 90.9
(Feb) 		87.9
(Feb)		 112.5
(Feb)		 109.2
(Nov) 		130.4
(April)		 99.7
(Dec) 		76.8
(Dec)

Transportation

Airports

Three airports serve Shimane. The Izumo Airport located in Izumo is the largest airport in the prefecture in terms of passengers and has regular flights to Haneda Airport, Osaka Airport, Fukuoka Airport, and Oki Airport. The Iwami Airport has two flights each day to Haneda and Osaka and 2 arrivals. Oki Airport has scheduled flights to Osaka and Izumo Airports.[13]

Rail

JR West and Ichibata Electric Railway serves the prefecture in terms of rail transportation. The Sanin Main Line goes through the prefecture on the Sea of Japan side into major cities such as Matsue and Izumo.[14] Izumoshi and Matsue stations are the major stops in the prefecture. The Kisuki line, which forks from Shinji Station on the Sanin Line, connects with the Geibi Line in Hiroshima Prefecture, cutting into the Chūgoku Mountains.[14] Ichibata Electric Railway serve the Shimane peninsula from Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station and Izumo Taisha-mae Station to Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station.[15]

JR West has three Limited Express trains to Shimane, which are Super Matsukaze, Super Oki, and Yakumo.[16] Additionally, the overnight limited express Sunrise Izumo operates daily between Tokyo and Izumoshi.

Roads

General roads

Highways

The four expressways in the prefecture connect major cities with other prefectures. The Matsue expressway connects Matsue with Unnan and Yonago in Tottori prefecture. Hamada Expressway forks from the Chūgoku Expressway at Kita-Hiroshima and stretches to Hamada.[9]

Ferries

Economy

In Shimane, the largest employer is the retail industry, employing over 60,000 workers. The supermarket, Mishimaya, and the hardware store, Juntendo, are examples of companies based in Shimane. The manufacturing industry has the second highest number of employees with 49,000 workers. [citation needed]

Companies based in Shimane

Manufacturing

Financial

Others

Major factories

Demographics

Shimane prefecture population pyramid in 2020

One-third of the prefecture's population is concentrated in the Izumo-Matsue area. Otherwise, over two-thirds of the population is on the coastline. A reason for the population distribution is that the Chūgoku Mountains make the land inland harder to inhabit. The capital, Matsue, has the smallest population of all 47 prefectural capitals. Shimane has also the largest percentage of elderly people.[12] The province had an estimated 743 centenarians per million inhabitants in September 2010, the highest ratio in Japan, overtaking Okinawa Prefecture (667 centenarians per million).[17]

Population by age

Total Population in age groups
2007 Estimated Population
Unit: Thousands

Age Population
0 - 4 30
5 - 9 33
10 - 14 35
15 - 19 37
20 - 24 32
25 - 29 38
30 - 34 44
35 - 39 41
40 - 44 38
45 - 49 44
50 - 54 51
55 - 59 66
60 - 64 44
65 - 69 45
70 - 74 50
75 - 79 45
80 and over 64

Population in age groups by gender
2007 Estimated population
Unit: Thousands

Male Age Female
15 0 - 4 15
17 5 - 9 16
18 10 - 14 17
19 15 - 19 18
16 20 - 24 16
19 25 - 29 19
22 30 - 34 22
20 35 - 39 20
19 40 - 44 19
22 45 - 49 22
26 50 - 54 25
34 55 - 59 32
22 60 - 64 23
20 65 - 69 24
22 70 - 74 28
19 75 - 79 26
20 80 and over 44
Comparison of Population Distribution between Shimane and Japanese National Average Population Distribution by Age and Sex in Shimane
■Shimane
■Japan (average)
■Male
■Female
1970 773,575
1975 768,886
1980 784,795
1985 794,629
1990 781,021
1995 771,441
2000 761,503
2005 742,223
2010 716,354
2015 Census, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications - Statistics Department
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 715,000—    
1930 740,000+3.5%
1940 741,000+0.1%
1950 913,000+23.2%
1960 889,000−2.6%
1970 773,575−13.0%
1980 784,795+1.5%
1990 781,021−0.5%
2000 761,503−2.5%
2010 717,397−5.8%
2020 679,626−5.3%
[18][19]

Culture

Cultural assets

Nima Sand Museum in Oda
World Cultural Heritage
National Treasures
Important Traditional Building Preservation Area
  • Ōmori (Ōda City)
  • Yunotsu (Ōda City)

Dialects

Universities in Shimane Prefecture

Tourism

Garden of the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi

Prefectural symbols

The prefectural flower is the mountain peony. On the island of Daikonjima, they have been grown from at least the 18th century.[22]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府". 内閣府ホームページ (in Japanese). Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  2. ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Shimane Province" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 859, p. 859, at Google Books; "Chūgoku" at p. 127, p. 127, at Google Books
  3. ^ Nussbaum, "Matsue" at p. 617, p. 617, at Google Books
  4. ^ "Izumo Shrine website". Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
  5. ^ Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780, p. 780, at Google Books
  6. ^ Shimane Prefecture introduction Archived March 3, 1997, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ a b 古川清行 Furukawa Kiyoyuki (2003). スーパー日本史 Super Nihon-shi. 講談社 Kōdansha. ISBN 4-06-204594-X.
  8. ^ a b History of Shimane Prefecture Archived November 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b c d 新編 中学校社会科地図 Updated Social studies map for Junior High school. 帝国書院 Teikoku Shoin. 2007. ISBN 978-4-8071-4091-6.
  10. ^ Liancourt Rocks
  11. ^ "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. April 1, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d 考える社会科地図 Kangaeru Shakaika Chizu. 四谷大塚出版 Yotsuya-Ōtsuka Shuppan. 2005. p. 113.
  13. ^ Flight schedule of Oki Airport Archived August 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ a b Route map for JR West
  15. ^ Route map of Ichibata Electric Railway
  16. ^ JR West website on limited express trains
  17. ^ Japan Times “Centenarians to Hit Record 44,000”. The Japan Times, Sept. 15, 2010. Okinawa Prefecture also had the largest loss of young and middle-aged population during the Pacific War.
  18. ^ Shimane 1995-2020 population statistics
  19. ^ Shimane 1920-2000 population statistics
  20. ^ Shimane University
  21. ^ University of Shimane
  22. ^ Symbols of Shimane Prefecture: From Shimane Prefecture website Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shimane prefecture.

35°13′N 132°40′E / 35.217°N 132.667°E / 35.217; 132.667

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