NEWS

Two Taiwanese friends visited Izumo. Here are some of the reasons why the author fell in love with this area.

8 Reasons to Fall in Love in Izumo

1. Shimmering Beaches
Around the summer season, it is possible to see bioluminescent plankton in the ocean at night. When I touched the water, it glittered and shone like magic. It was an unforgettable experience, and I wished I could have taken a picture of it!

2. Communication with Locals
We had great communication with local people despite the language barrier. Apps such as Google Translate were very helpful.

3. Beautiful Coastal Views
Izumo is bordered on two sides by picturesque coastlines with both sandy and rocky beaches. Each one had a different kind of beauty, and the water was so clean that I wanted to drink it!

4. Clean Environment and Delicious Food
Izumo has abundant farmland and natural areas, so the air and water are clean, and the local food seems to taste richer because of it. If you eat fruit or vegetables grown in Izumo, they may have a more intense natural flavor than what you might find in a supermarket.

5. Clean Toilets Everywhere!
Even in the middle of nowhere, I found bathrooms that were cleaner than my bathroom at home! Many were equipped with high-tech “washlet" toilet seats with bidet functions.

6. Friendly Locals
Izumo people are kind and polite. They greet everyone they see with a friendly, “konnichiwa!" We stayed at a minshuku (Japanese guest house) and were very surprised when a woman there welcomed us warmly!

7. Safe Atmosphere
Izumo feels so safe that people don't always lock their doors at night. They leave their shoes in tidy just inside the front door. I would like to try doing that at my house, too.

8. Variety of Natural Landscapes
There is beautiful scenery for every taste: mountains, ocean, forest, beach, lake, farmland, etc. (of course, there are also onsen hot springs to enjoy!). The natural landscapes of Izumo are abundant and create a calm atmosphere.