Izumo's main draw is the great shrine, Izumo Taisha, one of the most ancient and venerated in all of Japan — a visit here carries a different weight from the typical tourist shrine circuit. Beyond the shrine, the Hinomisaki lighthouse headland and the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo fill out a day nicely. The city also serves as a base for exploring the quieter San'in coast and nearby Lake Shinji.