Lake Shinji, stretching about 17 km east of Izumo toward the prefectural capital Matsue, is one of the most scenic lakes in the San'in region. The lake is a brackish lagoon connected to the sea, and its position between mountains creates a bowl that catches dramatic sunsets — the view from the shore at dusk, with the silhouetted mountains behind the orange water, is one of the classic images of Shimane prefecture.
The lake is also an important wetland habitat, and birders come for the winter congregations of water birds including Eurasian wigeons, greater scaup, and sometimes whooper swans. The lakeshore town of Matsue, 20 km east, has a fine feudal castle and samurai district and is the natural complement to Izumo for a two-day visit to the region.