Inasa Beach (Inasa-no-Hama), in Taisha-chō, Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, lies about 1 km west of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine (Izumo-Taisha) and is known as a setting for Izumo mythology.
As you admire Benten-jima (a rocky islet) on the sandy beach and the sunset over the Sea of Japan, you can discover the faith passed down here as a place that welcomes deities from across Japan.
This guide covers what to know before visiting, from the history of Benten-jima and sunset viewing tips to Izumo Taisha's sacred sand tradition, the Kami-mukae-shinji (a ritual welcoming the gods), and how to get there.
What Is Inasa Beach? Benten-jima and Izumo Mythology
Inasa Beach brings together Sea of Japan scenery and the stories of Izumo mythology.
Learning where the beach lies and how Benten-jima got its name also reveals its connection to a visit to Izumo Taisha.
Inasa Beach: A Sandy Coast About 1 km West of Izumo Taisha
Inasa Beach lies about 1 km west of Izumo Taisha, with white sand curving southward along the coast.
Including Sono-no-Nagahama, the beach extending to the south, the sandy coast stretches roughly 10 km from north to south.
This sweep of white sand has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Beaches.
Before setting off for a walk, check a map to confirm the direction of the sea and your route back.
When you arrive, take in the full expanse of sand and sea rather than heading straight for Benten-jima.
Allowing around 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk around Benten-jima and the beach and take photos makes it easier to plan your visit.
Oki-no-Gozen Shrine on Benten-jima and Its Deity, Toyotama-hime-no-Mikoto
The rounded rocky islet that catches your eye on the beach is Benten-jima, affectionately known locally as Benten-san.
It was once far offshore in Inasa Bay, which is why it was also called Oki-no-Gozen and Oki-no-Shima.
Until around 1985 (Shōwa 60), waves reached right up to the island, but the beach has since expanded, and depending on the waves and sand conditions, you can walk around behind it.
Atop the island is Oki-no-Gozen Shrine, which enshrines Toyotama-hime-no-Mikoto.
Knowing that Benzaiten, a Buddhist deity, was enshrined here during the period of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism, and that Toyotama-hime-no-Mikoto came to be enshrined from the Meiji era onward, helps explain the connection between the name Benten-jima and its deity.
On June 28, 2025 (Reiwa 7), Oki-no-Gozen Shrine held its first sengū (ceremonial transfer of the deity) in 60 years.
Inasa Beach and the Kuni-Yuzuri (Land Transfer) and Kuni-Biki (Land Pulling) Myths
Inasa Beach is believed to be the coast recorded as Inasa-no-Obama in writings from the Nara period.
In the kuni-yuzuri myth in the Kojiki, an early chronicle, the deity Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami is said to have discussed handing over the land on this beach with Takemikazuchi-no-O-no-Kami, a messenger from Takama-ga-Hara (the heavenly realm).
Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami is said to have agreed to the transfer on the condition that a palace be built for him to live in.
That palace is believed to be Izumo Taisha, about 1 km east of the beach, and is recorded as Ame-no-Hisumi-no-Miya in the Nihon Shoki, another early chronicle.
Meanwhile, in the kuni-biki myth in the Izumo-no-Kuni-Fudoki, a regional gazetteer, Nagahama Beach (Sono-no-Nagahama), stretching southward, represents the rope binding the land that was pulled into place, while Mount Sanbe (Sanbe-san) represents the stake securing that rope.
Approaching these myths as stories passed down in the region lets you appreciate both the landscape before you and the meaning people found in it.
Inasa Beach Sunset Viewing and Photography Tips
Benten-jima silhouetted against the evening sky is one of Inasa Beach's signature views.
The beach is also a component cultural property of the Japan Heritage story recognized in 2017, “Izumo, a Sacred Place Where the Sun Sets: A Journey Through Sunsets in a Land Created by the Gods.”
Depending on the weather and season, you can enjoy Benten-jima's silhouette or the crimson glow of the sunset sky and sea stretching south of the island.
Check Sunset Times and the Sunset Index Before Visiting Inasa Beach
Sunset times and the point where the sun sets change with the seasons, so check the weather and sunset time for your visit when planning.
As a guide, sunset here is around 7:25 p.m. near the summer solstice and around 5:00 p.m. from mid-November to early December.
The sunset index, which indicates how favorable conditions are for seeing the sunset, and the sunset time can help you decide on the day.
When you face the sea to the west, the sun sets toward the north on your right in summer and toward the south on your left in winter, so its position in relation to Benten-jima also changes with the season.
To enjoy the colors of the sky and the changing sea, arrive around 30 minutes before sunset and choose a viewing spot while checking your footing, giving yourself time to settle in.
Cloud cover can hide the sunset, so include a beach walk in your plans instead of building the whole visit around sunset alone.
The area around the beach gradually darkens after sunset, so check your walking route back and bus times while it is still light.
Photographing Benten-jima at Sunset: How Much Sky to Include
Rather than focusing only on getting close to the island, try stepping back to include the sky and sand in your frame.
Even from the same spot, holding your smartphone vertically or horizontally changes the island's presence and the sense of space along the coast.
Benten-jima tends to appear as a dark silhouette against the sunset, so tapping the sky on your screen to adjust the exposure can help preserve the evening colors.
Here are some composition ideas for the impression you want to capture.
| What to Capture | Composition Tip | What to Focus On |
|---|---|---|
| The island's presence | Make Benten-jima large in the frame | The outlines of the rock and shrine |
| The expanse of the coast | Shoot horizontally | Open space across the sea and sand |
| The changing evening sky | Include plenty of sky | Layers of clouds and color |
Before stepping backward while taking photos, look away from your screen and check your distance from other people and the waves.
Inasa Beach Sand and Izumo Taisha's Osuna (Sacred Sand) Tradition
At Soga-no-Yashiro Shrine, behind Izumo Taisha's main sanctuary at the foot of Mount Yakumo (Yakumo-yama), there is a tradition of offering sand from Inasa Beach and receiving sacred sand in return.
Soga-no-Yashiro enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto, regarded as the parent deity of Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami.
If you wish to follow this custom, planning your preparations at the beach together with your shrine visit makes the process easier.
Start at Inasa Beach Before Receiving Sacred Sand at Soga-no-Yashiro
The sacred sand tradition involves offering sand from Inasa Beach before receiving sacred sand; simply taking sand away is considered inappropriate.
- Collect sand at Inasa Beach, bring it with you, and pay your respects at Soga-no-Yashiro.
- Offer the sand you brought beneath the veranda of the shrine building.
- Receive some of the sacred sand already there.
Sacred sand is associated with beliefs in using it as a protective charm or scattering it over residential land and fields for purification, so understand the meaning of the visit and handle it respectfully.
If you bring sand, prepare a bag or container that will not spill easily to keep your belongings organized while traveling.
To help protect the beach scenery, collect only a small amount of sand for your offering.
Finish Your Sacred Sand Visit to Soga-no-Yashiro by 4:30 p.m.
Izumo Taisha's visiting hours are 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but the area behind the main sanctuary where Soga-no-Yashiro stands closes at 4:30 p.m. for security reasons.
If you plan to receive sacred sand at Soga-no-Yashiro, arrive with enough time to finish your visit by 4:30 p.m.
Follow the day's posted notices and the shrine priests' guidance on where to handle the sand and how to proceed with your visit.
The Kami-mukae-shinji at Inasa Beach During Kamiari-zuki, the Month of the Gods
In Izumo, the 10th month of the lunar calendar is called Kamiari-zuki because deities from across Japan are said to gather here.
Inasa Beach is where a ritual is held to welcome these countless deities.
The Kami-mukae-shinji at Inasa Beach and Kami-mukae-sai at Izumo Taisha's Worship Hall
Every year, on the night of the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, Inasa Beach hosts the Kami-mukae-shinji, followed by the Kami-mukae-sai (welcoming ceremony) at Izumo Taisha's worship hall.
In 2026 (Reiwa 8), the Kami-mukae-shinji will take place on Wednesday, November 18, from 7:00 p.m.
Lunar calendar dates do not match the same month and day on the calendar used today, so check the festival announcements for the date when planning your trip.
A goshinka (sacred fire) is lit on the beach, and Ryūja-jin, the dragon-serpent deity who leads the gods, is positioned facing the sea for a ritual lasting around 20–30 minutes.
Understanding how the deities are welcomed on the beach and guided to the grand shrine by Ryūja-jin reveals the connection between the coast and shrine within this faith.
At Izumo Taisha, the Kamiari-sai (festival of the gathered gods) begins the day after the Kami-mukae-sai, and in 2026 the deities will be sent off at the Karasade-sai (farewell ceremony) at 4:00 p.m. on November 25.
Kami-mukae-shinji Etiquette: Komo Woven Mats and Flash Photography
The Kami-mukae-shinji is a religious ceremony rather than a tourism event, and there is no spectator seating.
As the mats are laid out as a pathway for the deities, do not walk on the komo mats, and refrain from flash photography.
You may attend the ritual at the sacred ceremonial site on Inasa Beach and then take part in gubu, accompanying the procession to Izumo Taisha; shiro-gohei (white ritual paper streamers) are distributed at the entrance to the ceremonial site.
Traffic restrictions may be introduced for the ritual, so checking your transportation options in advance is helpful.
If you wish to attend, check the current year's participation instructions and traffic restrictions, and follow staff directions when moving around the site.
The ritual takes place on the dark beach after sunset, so wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes to prepare for the coastal chill.
How to Get to Inasa Beach: Walking, Bus, and Car from Izumo Taisha
If you are visiting without a car, you can consider walking from the Izumo Taisha area or taking a local bus.
If sunset viewing is the purpose of your trip, plan your return transportation along with your arrival.
About a 15-Minute Walk from Izumo Taisha, Also Walkable from Izumo-Taisha-mae Station
Inasa Beach is about 1.2 km from Izumo Taisha, or roughly a 15-minute walk.
You can walk to the beach from either Izumo-Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway or Izumo Taisha.
Izumo-Taisha-mae Station is south of Izumo Taisha along Shinmon-dōri, the shrine approach street, so allow for a longer walk from the station than from the shrine.
Your walking route depends on where you start, so decide whether you will leave from the station or after visiting the shrine and check a map.
Consider your companions' walking pace and how much luggage you have, and plan so that a walk through town followed by a beach stroll does not become too tiring.
Taking Ichibata Bus: Use Inasa-no-Hama-Iriguchi Bus Stop and Check Return Services
For local buses, take Ichibata Bus's Hinomisaki Line and get off at Inasa-no-Hama-Iriguchi bus stop.
The journey from JR Izumoshi Station to Inasa-no-Hama-Iriguchi takes about 40 minutes, and with only 4 direct services a day from the station, checking the timetable is essential.
Before boarding, confirm that the service goes to your intended stop, and note the location and schedule of the stop you will use for the return journey.
Saving the beach name and your accommodation in Japanese on your smartphone map lets you show the screen when asking for directions.
Inasa Beach Parking for Visitors Arriving by Car
By car, Inasa Beach is about 3 minutes from Izumo Taisha.
The beach has a No. 1 parking lot with space for 84 standard passenger cars, but large and medium-sized vehicles and minibuses cannot use it.
It can get busy around sunset and on ritual days, so allow extra time to arrive.
Inasa Beach Walking and Photography Etiquette and Safety Tips
At Inasa Beach, keep both respect for this place of worship and coastal safety in mind.
When concentrating on the scenery, it is especially important to watch your footing and consider the people around you.
Wear Comfortable Shoes and Prepare for Coastal Weather
Your feet may sink into the sand, and sand can get inside your shoes, so choose footwear you are used to walking in and be prepared for sandy or dirty feet.
Prepare for sun and wind according to the season and forecast, and keep your belongings to an amount you can carry comfortably while walking.
This beach faces the Sea of Japan, so prepare for wind and bring a wind-resistant jacket if visiting from fall through winter.
There are restrooms around the beach, but checking a map in advance for their locations and places to buy drinks is helpful.
If visiting with children, keep track of where they are even while taking photos, and stay close to them at the water's edge.
Swimming at Inasa Beach: No Official Beach Opening Since 2022
Inasa Beach was once a popular swimming beach, and the writer Lafcadio Hearn (Yakumo Koizumi) is also said to have enjoyed swimming here.
It remained a popular swimming beach through 2021, but it has not officially opened as a swimming beach since 2022.
Do not assume that swimming beach facilities or lifeguard supervision are available, and check local notices if you plan to enter the sea.
Here are some guidelines for a comfortable beach visit in different places and conditions.
| Location or Situation | What to Do | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Around Benten-jima | Look up at the island from the sand | Climbing the rocks or shrine |
| Crowded areas | Keep pathways clear | Occupying a photo spot for too long |
| Days with strong winds or waves | Keep your distance from the sea | Approaching the water's edge |
Check Permit Requirements in Advance for Commercial Filming
For commercial filming, including television programs, movies, and advertising, contact the Shimane Prefecture Eastern Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Promotion Center about permit applications.
Even when taking vacation photos, ask before photographing worshippers at close range, and choose a position that does not interfere with people walking or praying.
Planning Your Visit to Inasa Beach
Inasa Beach is a coastal spot where you can enjoy Benten-jima and the evening scenery while feeling its connection to Izumo's mythology and faith.
If you wish to follow the sacred sand tradition, plan to finish your visit to Soga-no-Yashiro by 4:30 p.m.; if visiting for the Kami-mukae-shinji, check that year's schedule when deciding when to come.
Keep return transportation and coastal weather in mind, and take your time enjoying the views from the sandy beach.
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