Jul 4, 2019 - 1 min read

Iwami Ginzan's Omori-cho

Historic town in rural Shimane

By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

The main street is similar to post towns in the Kiso Valley.

One of the many interesting shops in town

One of many interesting temples along the walk, Kanzeonji

A look down the main street from Kanzeonji Temple

Rent one of these bicycles and stop by this tasty coffee shop for a drink.

The locals brighten up this wonderful town with lots of flowers.

If you have to have a vending machine, this is what it should look like.

The town is very quiet. This was the busiest scene of the entire day.

As you get closer to the mine, the town becomes even more rural.

Just outside the entrance to the mine, which is located in a lovely forest.

The town of Omori is one of Japan's least known treasures. Hidden in Shimane Prefecture and rarely visited, it is now part of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town runs over a kilometer, from one of the mine entrances, and down along a river valley. It is lined with traditional homes, shops, cafes, temples and shrines. Omori is similar to the post towns of Narai-juku and Tsumago-juku in the Kiso Valley, but the town receives much fewer visitors.

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By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

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Kim Bergström 7 years ago

I am heading to Shimane later this month, and I wasn't sure if I would head to the silver mine or not - but your pictures have won me over. It looks incredible!