11 December and January events in Shimane
- Five locations feature free evening light displays, including Izumo, Tsuwano, Hamada, and Matsue Terrsa.
- Matsue Vogel Park remains open until 20:45 on 8 days in December.
- On December 31, Izumo Taisha holds the Oharae purification at 16:00 and the Joya-sai at 21:30.
This page lists 11 winter events you can visit in Shimane in December and January, from illuminations and exhibitions to year-end shrine rites. Five places have free evening light displays: Mirait Izumo in Izumo City, Tonomachi Street in Tsuwano, the area in front of Hamada Station, Matsue Terrsa and the outdoor corridor of Ishimasa Museum. Matsue Vogel Park, which charges admission, stays open until 20:45 on 8 days in December. Most of the 11 events start in November and run into the new year, so they are listed with the nearest dates first.
In short
- Free night lights: Mirait Izumo, Tsuwano, Hamada Station, Matsue Terrsa, and Ishimasa Museum (outdoors on Saturday nights only).
- Rain or snow at night: Matsue Vogel Park (an all-weather facility, with illuminations inside the greenhouse).
- New Year’s Eve: the Oharae purification and Joya-sai at Izumo Taisha, and the Tsuwano illumination (lit until morning on December 31).
- Quiet daytime visits: the special exhibition at Kojindani Museum and the exhibitions at Ishimasa Museum.
Checked with official pages on November 3, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
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1. How to choose a winter event in Shimane (place, time, cost)
- Free night views: Mirait Izumo, Tsuwano Illumination, Hamada Station Illumination, Matsue Terrsa, the Corridor of Light at Ishimasa Museum (outdoors on Saturday nights only)
- Going out at night in rain or snow: Matsue Vogel Park (an all-weather facility; the illumination is inside the greenhouse)
- Going out on New Year’s Eve: the Oharae and Joya-sai at Izumo Taisha, Tsuwano Illumination (lit until morning on December 31)
- A quiet daytime outing: the special exhibition at Kojindani Museum, the Corridor of Light and the zodiac exhibition at Ishimasa Museum
2. Dates, times and prices of the 11 events in one table
Six of the 11 events run until January 22 or later: Mirait Izumo, Matsue Terrsa, Tsuwano Illumination, Hamada Station Illumination, the Kojindani Museum exhibition and the Izumo Soba and Gourmet Trip. Click an event name to jump to its section.
| Event | Place | Dates | Evening hours | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oidani Terraced Rice Fields Light-up | Yoshika Town | Oct 27 – Jan 17 | About 3 hours from dusk | — |
| Izumo Soba and Gourmet Trip | Izumo City | Nov 1 – Feb 28 | — | Depends on the shop |
| Kojindani Museum special exhibition | Izumo City | Nov 14 – Feb 14 | — | ¥420 (adult) |
| Mirait Izumo 2026 | Izumo City | Nov 21 – Jan 22 | 17:00–22:00 | Free |
| Tsuwano Illumination | Tsuwano Town | Nov 21 – Feb 28 | 18:00–22:00 | Free |
| Hamada Station Illumination | Hamada City | Nov 23 – Feb 28 | Sunset–22:00 | Free |
| Matsue Terrsa | Matsue City | Nov 27 – Jan 24 | 17:00–24:00 | Free |
| Corridor of Light (Ishimasa Museum) | Hamada City | Dec 8 – Dec 25 | Saturdays 17:00–20:00 | Free outdoors |
| Matsue Vogel Park | Matsue City | 8 days, Dec 12 – Dec 30 | Until 20:45 | ¥1,750 (adult) |
| Oharae and Joya-sai at Izumo Taisha | Izumo City | Dec 31 | 16:00 and 21:30 | — |
| Zodiac exhibition (Ishimasa Museum) | Hamada City | Jan 5 – Jan 21 | — | Free |
Sources: the event pages and the feature “Winter night illuminations in Shimane 2026” on Shimane Kanko Navi, and the official pages of each organizer or facility (checked November 3, 2026; links in each section). A “—” in the table means the official pages give no price or evening hours.
3. What to know before going to winter events in Shimane
The winter illuminations in Shimane are spread across Izumo, Matsue, Hamada, Tsuwano and Yoshika, so it is easier to plan if you cover only Izumo City or only Matsue City in one day.
- The lights at the Oidani terraced rice fields are charged by solar power and switch on automatically when it gets dark, so the time they come on varies with the weather and the season. Depending on the snow, the event may end before January 17.
- The observation deck is dark underfoot at night, and the organizer recommends viewing from the deck’s parking lot.
- Ishimasa Museum is closed on Mondays, and during the zodiac exhibition it is also closed on Tuesday, January 12 and Monday, January 18.
- Kojindani Museum is fully closed from December 29 to January 3, and its exhibition rooms are closed every Tuesday during the exhibition.
4. Winter events in Izumo
Mirait Izumo 2026
This event lights up Dandan Square, south of Izumo City Hall. This year’s theme is “Real Life” (Mirait Izumo page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). It runs from November 21, 2026 to January 22, 2027, lit from 17:00 to 22:00, and viewing is free. On the first day, November 21, there is a lighting ceremony at 18:30.
| Name | Mirait Izumo 2026 (Dandan Square) |
|---|---|
| Address | Imaichi-cho, Izumo City, Shimane (south of Izumo City Hall) |
| Hours / Closed | November 21–January 22, 2027, 17:00–22:00 |
| Phone | 0853-25-3710 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Kojindani Museum special exhibition: “Yayoi and Kofun seen through daily life”
This special exhibition at the museum that tells the story of the Yayoi-period bronze objects found at the Kojindani site follows how life changed from the Yayoi to the Kofun period, focusing on vessels, cooking and iron (exhibition page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). It runs from November 14, 2026 to February 14, 2027. Admission is ¥420 for adults, ¥210 for high school and university students, and ¥110 for elementary and junior high school students.
| Name | Kojindani Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 873-8 Kanba, Hikawa-cho, Izumo City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | November 14–February 14, 2027, 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) · Exhibition rooms closed Tuesdays · Entire facility closed December 29–January 3 |
| Phone | 0853-72-9044 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Izumo Soba and Gourmet Trip
This campaign runs from November to the end of February, with more than 150 participating restaurants and sightseeing facilities in Izumo City (campaign page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). Participants collect stamps at shops and sights with a mobile stamp rally on LINE. The period is November 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027.
| Name | Izumo Soba and Gourmet Trip (Izumo City) |
|---|---|
| Address | Izumo City, Shimane (varies by participating shop) |
| Hours / Closed | November 1–February 28, 2027 |
| Phone | 0853-21-6588 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Oharae and Joya-sai at Izumo Taisha (December 31)
According to the festival calendar of Izumo Taisha, the Oharae purification is at 16:00 and the Joya-sai (New Year’s Eve service) is at 21:30 on December 31 (Izumo Taisha festival calendar, Japanese). For the Oharae, the application notice (until the end of November) says the offering can be whatever you wish to give and no amulet or other item is handed out (Izumo Taisha notice on the New Year rites of 2027, Japanese). The Hatsu-kagura (a sacred dance), performed from midnight on New Year’s Day, and the rice-offering rite performed on New Year’s Day are prayers you apply for.
| Name | Izumo Taisha |
|---|---|
| Address | 195 Kitsukihigashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | December 31: Oharae 16:00 · Joya-sai 21:30 |
| Phone | 0853-53-3100 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. Winter events in Matsue
Matsue Terrsa Winter Illumination 2026
This winter event is held at Matsue Terrsa, in front of JR Matsue Station (“Winter night illuminations in Shimane 2026” on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). It runs from November 27, 2026 to January 24, 2027, from 17:00 to 24:00, and viewing is free. On the first day, November 27, it is lit from 18:00 to 24:00, with a lighting ceremony.
| Name | Matsue Terrsa |
|---|---|
| Address | 478-18 Asahi-cho, Matsue City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | November 27–January 24, 2027, 17:00–24:00 (from 18:00 on the first day, November 27) |
| Phone | 0852-31-5550 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Matsue Vogel Park Winter Night Festival 2026
This is an event of flowers, birds and light in an indoor garden. The flowers in the greenhouse are decorated with illuminations, and you can see the birds at night and a night owl show (Winter Night Festival page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). It is held on 8 days: December 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 29 and 30. The park stays open until 20:45, and all areas are lit from 17:00. Admission is ¥1,750 for adults and ¥880 for elementary and junior high school students.
Photo sources: Press release of the Tourism Promotion Division, Shimane Prefecture, November 29, 2024 (Japanese) and press release of the Japan Automobile Federation, July 18, 2024 (Japanese)
| Name | Matsue Vogel Park |
|---|---|
| Address | 52 Ogaki-cho, Matsue City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | December 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30: until 20:45 (all areas lit from 17:00) |
| Phone | 0852-88-9800 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
6. Winter events in Iwami, Tsuwano and Yoshika
Tsuwano Illumination (Tonomachi Street and Tsuwano Station)
The ginkgo-lined Tonomachi Street and the station corridor at Tsuwano Station are wrapped in soft light (“Winter night illuminations in Shimane 2026” on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). It runs from November 21, 2026 to February 28, 2027, from 18:00 to 22:00, and viewing is free. On December 31 only, it is lit from 18:00 until 6:00 the next morning.
| Name | Tsuwano Illumination (Tonomachi Street and Tsuwano Station) |
|---|---|
| Address | Ushiroda, Tsuwano Town, Kanoashi District, Shimane (Tonomachi Street and Tsuwano Station) |
| Hours / Closed | November 21–February 28, 2027, 18:00–22:00 (December 31: 18:00–6:00 next day) |
| Phone | 0856-72-1771 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Hamada Station Illumination
Street trees on the sidewalk in front of JR Hamada Station and the trees in Mandoyama Park are decorated. About 11,600 LEDs light the street trees (illumination page of the Hamada City Tourism Association, Japanese). It runs from November 23, 2026 to February 28, 2027, from sunset to 22:00, and viewing is free.
| Name | Hamada Station Illumination |
|---|---|
| Address | Asai-cho to Biwa-cho, Hamada City, Shimane (Hamada Station to Mandoyama Park) |
| Hours / Closed | November 23–February 28, 2027, sunset–22:00 |
| Phone | 0855-25-9601 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
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Ishimasa Museum “Iwami Winter Solstice Festival: Corridor of Light 2026”
Around the winter solstice, light art works made of ceramics and Sekishu washi paper are displayed in the gallery and in the outdoor corridor, courtyard and front garden (Corridor of Light page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). It runs from December 8 to 25, 2026. The outdoor lights are on only on Saturday nights, from 17:00 to 20:00. Viewing outdoors is free, and the exhibition rooms charge admission.
| Name | Iwami Winter Solstice Festival: Corridor of Light 2026 (Ishimasa Museum) |
|---|---|
| Address | 589 Furuichiba, Misumi-cho, Hamada City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | December 8–25, 9:00–17:00, outdoors Saturday nights 17:00–20:00 (closed Mondays) |
| Phone | 0855-32-4388 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Ishimasa Museum Zodiac Exhibition 2027 (Year of the Sheep)
This exhibition on the theme of 2027’s zodiac animal, the sheep, runs from January 5 to January 21, 2027, and admission is free (exhibition page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese).
| Name | Zodiac Exhibition 2027 (Year of the Sheep) (Ishimasa Museum) |
|---|---|
| Address | 589 Furuichiba, Misumi-cho, Hamada City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | January 5–21, 2027, 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) · Closed January 12 and 18 |
| Phone | 0855-32-4388 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Oidani Terraced Rice Fields Light-up
In the Oidani district of Yoshika Town, 2,800 LED lights are switched on across terraced rice fields that have been farmed for 600 years (Light-up page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese). The lights change color every 15 minutes between red, gold, blue-green and purple. It runs from October 27, 2026 to January 17, 2027.
| Name | Oidani Terraced Rice Fields Light-up |
|---|---|
| Address | Shiratani, Kakinoki-mura, Yoshika Town, Kanoashi District, Shimane (Oidani district) |
| Hours / Closed | October 27–January 17, 2027, about 3 hours from dusk |
| Phone | 0856-79-2213 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
FAQ
Is there an illumination I can see on the night of December 31 in Shimane?
Yes. The Tsuwano Illumination is lit from 18:00 to 6:00 the next morning on December 31 only. Izumo Taisha also holds the Oharae at 16:00 and the Joya-sai at 21:30 on December 31.
Is there an illumination I can see on a rainy night in Shimane?
The Winter Night Festival at Matsue Vogel Park is held inside an all-weather facility, so you can see it in rain or snow. Admission is ¥1,750 for adults.
Photo source: photo of Izumo Taisha (Wikimedia Commons) by Raita Futo, CC BY 2.0
Sources
13 pages we checked
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Mirait Izumo 2026
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Kojindani Museum special exhibition
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Izumo Soba and Gourmet Trip
- Izumo Taisha: festival calendar
- Izumo Taisha: notice on New Year rites for 2027
- Matsue Terrsa: official site (Winter Illumination)
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Matsue Vogel Park Winter Night Festival 2026
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Winter night illuminations in Shimane 2026
- Hamada City Tourism Association: Hamada Station Illumination
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Ishimasa Museum Corridor of Light 2026
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Ishimasa Museum zodiac exhibition 2027
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Oidani Terraced Rice Fields Light-up
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on November 3, 2026 (Japan time).
