Editing Shimane Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{Redirect|Shimane}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2011}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Shimane Prefecture
| native_name        = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|島根県}}}}
| settlement_type    = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1     = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info = {{lang|ja|島根県}}
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ja-Latn|Shimane-ken}}
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | border      = infobox
  | total_width = 290
  | image_style = border:1;
  | perrow      = 1/2/2
  | image1      = Izumo-Taisha Haiden.jpg
  | caption1    = [[Izumo Taisha]]
  | image2      = Matsue Castle (51821560071).jpg
  | caption2    = [[Matsue Castle]]
  | image3      = Lake-Shinji Yomegashima sunset.jpg
  | caption3    = [[Lake Shinji]]
  | image4      = Shimizudani Refinery Ruins at Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine 001.jpg
  | caption4    = [[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine|Iwami Silver Mine (WHS)]] 
  | image5      = Rosoku-is.jpg
  | caption5    = [[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]

}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Shimane Prefecture.svg
| flag_size          = 100px
| image_blank_emblem = Emblem of Shimane Prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size  = 80px
| blank_emblem_type  = Symbol
| image_map          = Map of Japan with highlight on 32 Shimane prefecture.svg
| coordinates        = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Chūgoku region|Chūgoku]] ([[San'in region|San'in]])
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Honshu]]
| seat_type          = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat               = [[Matsue]]
| parts_type         = Subdivisions
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 5
| p2                 = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 19
| leader_title       = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Tatsuya Maruyama]]
| area_total_km2     = 6,708.26
| area_water_percent = 2.7
| area_rank          = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|19th]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 638499
| population_as_of   = February 1, 2025
| population_rank    = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|46th]]
| population_density_km2 = 95.2
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = [[JP¥]] 2,689 billion<br />[[US$]] 24.7 billion (2019)
| iso_code           = JP-32
| website            = {{URL|http://www1.pref.shimane.lg.jp/contents/kokusai/kokusai-e/index.html}}
| module             = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country  = Japan
| bird     = [[Whooper swan]] (''Cygnus&nbsp;cygnus'')
| fish     = [[Flying Fish]]
| flower   = Moutan [[peony]] (''Paeonia&nbsp;suffruticosa'')
| tree     = [[Japanese black pine]] (''Pinus&nbsp;thunbergii'')
}}
| anthem             = [[:ja:薄紫の山脈|Usu-murasaki no yamanami]]
}}
[[File:IWAMI OSAKI HANA.JPG|thumb|right|The coast of [[Gōtsu, Shimane|Gōtsu]] City, Shimane Prefecture seen from the [[Osakihana lighthouse]]]]
{{nihongo|'''Shimane Prefecture'''|島根県|Shimane-ken|{{IPA|ja|ɕiꜜ.ma.ne, ɕi.ma.neꜜ.keɴ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Chūgoku region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Shimane Province" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 859|page=859}}; "Chūgoku" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC| p. 127|page=127}}</ref> Shimane Prefecture is the [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|second-least populous]] prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geographic area of 6,708.26 [[Square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]]. Shimane Prefecture borders [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]] to the southwest, [[Hiroshima Prefecture]] to the south, and [[Tottori Prefecture]] to the east.

[[Matsue]] is the capital and largest city of Shimane Prefecture, with other major cities including [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]], [[Hamada, Shimane|Hamada]], and [[Masuda, Shimane|Masuda]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Matsue" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC| p. 617|page=617}}</ref> Shimane Prefecture contains the majority of the [[Lake Shinji]]-[[Nakaumi]] [[metropolitan area]] centered on Matsue, and with a population of approximately 600,000 is Japan's third-largest metropolitan area on the [[Sea of Japan]] coast after [[Niigata (city)|Niigata]] and Greater [[Kanazawa]]. Shimane Prefecture is bounded by the Sea of Japan [[coastline]] on the north, where two-thirds of the population live, and the [[Chūgoku Mountains]] on the south. Shimane Prefecture governs the [[Oki Islands]] in the Sea of Japan which juridically includes the disputed [[Liancourt Rocks]] (竹島, ''Takeshima''). Shimane Prefecture is home to [[Izumo-taisha]], one of the oldest [[Shinto shrine]]s in Japan, and the [[Tokugawa shogunate|Tokugawa]]-era [[Matsue Castle]].

== History ==
[[File:MatsueCastle.jpg|thumb|[[Matsue Castle]]]]

=== Early history ===
{{See also|Historic Sites of Shimane Prefecture|Old provinces of Japan}}

The history of Shimane starts with Japanese mythology. The Shinto god [[Ōkuninushi]] was believed to live in [[Izumo Province|Izumo]], an old province in Shimane. [[Izumo-taisha|Izumo Shrine]], which is in the city of [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]], honors the god.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp/kamigami/izumo/index.html |title=Izumo Shrine website |access-date=August 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823070951/http://www.izumooyashiro.or.jp/kamigami/izumo/index.html |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> At that time, the current Shimane prefecture was divided into three parts: [[Iwami Province|Iwami]], [[Izumo Province|Izumo]], and [[Oki Province|Oki]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC| p. 780|page=780}}</ref> That lasted until the [[abolition of the han system|abolition of the ''han'' system]] took place in 1871. During the [[Nara period]], [[Kakinomoto no Hitomaro]] wrote a poem on Shimane's nature when he was sent as the Royal governor.<ref>[http://www.pref.shimane.jp/profile/kisojoho/rekisi.html Shimane Prefecture introduction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970303094623/http://pref.shimane.jp/profile/kisojoho/rekisi.html |date=March 3, 1997 }}</ref>

Later on in the [[Kamakura period]] (1185–1333), the [[Kamakura shogunate]] forced emperors [[Emperor Go-toba|Go-Toba]] and [[Emperor Go-Daigo|Godaigo]] into exile in Oki. Emperor Go-Daigo later escaped from Oki and began rallying supporters against the shogunate, which proved successful.<ref name="super">{{cite book|title=スーパー日本史 Super Nihon-shi|author=古川清行 Furukawa Kiyoyuki|year=2003|publisher=講談社 Kōdansha|isbn=4-06-204594-X}}</ref>

=== Middle ages ===
[[File:Shimizudani Refinery Ruins at Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine 001.jpg|thumb|right|A view of Shimizudani silver mine refinery ruin, a part of UNESCO World Herritage area]]
During the [[Muromachi period]] (1336–1573), Izumo and Oki were controlled by the [[Kyōgoku clan]]. However, after the [[Ōnin War]], the [[Amago clan]] expanded power based in [[Gassantoda Castle]] and the [[Masuda clan]] dominated [[Iwami Province]]. The [[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine]] was located between Amago territory and Masuda territory, and there were many battles between the clans for the silver. In 1566 [[Mōri Motonari]] conquered Izumo, Iwami, and Oki.<ref name="super" /> In 1600, after over 30 years of Mori control, Horio Yoshiharu entered Izumo and Oki as the result of [[Battle of Sekigahara]], which Mori lost. Following the change, Horio Yoshiharu decided to move to build [[Matsue Castle]] instead of Gassan-Toda, and soon after Yoshiharu's death the castle was completed. In 1638, the grandson of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] {{ill|Matsudaira Naomasa|ja|松平直政}} became the ruler because the Horio clan had no heir, and his family ruled until the abolition of the ''han'' system.

The Iwami area was split into three regions: the mining district, under the direct control of the Shogunate, the Hamada clan region, and the Tsuwano clan region. The [[Iwami Ginzan]], now a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]], produced silver and was one of the nation's largest silver mines by the early 17th century. The Hamada clan was on the shogunate's side in the [[Meiji Restoration]], and the castle was burned down. The Tsuwano clan, despite then being ruled by the Matsudaira, was on the emperor's side in the restoration.<ref name="aramashi">[http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/aramasi.html History of Shimane Prefecture] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118032551/http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/aramasi.html |date=November 18, 2007 }}</ref>

=== Modern age ===
In 1871, the abolition of the ''han'' system placed the old Shimane and Hamada Provinces in the current area of Shimane Prefecture. Later that year, Oki became part of Tottori. In 1876, Hamada Prefecture was merged into Shimane Prefecture. Also, [[Tottori Prefecture]] was added in the same year. However, five years later, in 1881, the current portion of Tottori Prefecture was separated and the current border was formed.<ref name="aramashi" />

== Geography ==
Shimane Prefecture is situated on the [[Sea of Japan]] side of the [[Chūgoku region]]. Because of its mountainous landscape, rice farming is done mostly in the Izumo plain where the city of Izumo is located.<ref name="Junior High Map"/> Another major landform is the Shimane peninsula. The peninsula is located across the Sea of Japan from Izumo to [[Sakaiminato]], which is located in Tottori prefecture. Also, the peninsula created two brackish lakes, [[Lake Shinji]] and [[Nakaumi]]. The island of Daikon is located in Nakaumi. Off the main island of [[Honshū]], the island of [[Oki Island|Oki]] belongs to Shimane prefecture as well. The island itself is in the Daisen-Oki National Park.<ref name="Junior High Map">{{cite book|title=新編 中学校社会科地図 Updated Social studies map for Junior High school|year=2007|publisher=帝国書院 Teikoku Shoin|isbn=978-4-8071-4091-6}}</ref> Shimane also claims the use of [[Liancourt Rocks]], over which they are in dispute with [[South Korea]].<ref>[[Liancourt Rocks]]</ref>

As of 1 April 2012, 6% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|Natural Parks]], namely [[Daisen-Oki National Park]]; [[Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park|Hiba-Dōgo-Taishaku]] and [[Nishi-Chugoku Sanchi Quasi-National Park|Nishi-Chūgoku Sanchi]] Quasi-National Parks; and eleven Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref>

Most major cities are located either on the seaside, or along a river.<ref name="Junior High Map"/>

===Cities===
{{See also|List of cities in Shimane Prefecture by population}}
{{Stack|
[[File:Map of Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|thumb|Map of Shimane Prefecture<br />{{legend0|#EAB|City}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}} {{legend0|#BFE|Village}}]]
[[File:Cape Hinomisaki02.jpg|thumb|[[Cape Hinomisaki]] near [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]]]]
}}
[[File:松江市 松江城から (29882144321).jpg|thumb|[[Matsue]]]]
[[File:View from Taikodani Inari Shrine 4.jpg|thumb|[[Tsuwano]]]]
[[File:Okinoshima (15066448338).jpg|thumb|Saigo area of [[Oki Island]]]]
Eight cities are located in Shimane Prefecture, the largest in population being Matsue, the capital, and the smallest being Gōtsu. The cities Masuda, Unnan, Yasugi, and Gōtsu had a slight population increase due to the mergers in the early 2000s.<ref name="Yotsuya" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Gotsu, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Gōtsu, Shimane|Gōtsu]]
|江津市
|268.51
|24,009
|[[File:Gotsu in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Hamada, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Hamada, Shimane|Hamada]]
|浜田市
|689.6
|57,142
|[[File:Hamada in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Izumo, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]]
|出雲市
|624.36
|172,039
|[[File:Izumo in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Masuda, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Masuda, Shimane|Masuda]]
|益田市
|733.16
|46,892
|[[File:Masuda in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Matsue, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Matsue]] (capital)
|松江市
|572.99
|202,008
|[[File:Matsue in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Oda, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōda, Shimane|Ōda]]
|大田市
|436.11
|34,354
|[[File:Oda in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Unnan, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Unnan]]
|雲南市
|553.4
|38,281
|[[File:Unnan in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yasugi, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yasugi, Shimane|Yasugi]]
|安来市
|420.97
|38,875
|[[File:Yasugi in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|}

===Towns and villages===
These are the towns and villages of each [[Districts of Japan|district]]. The number of towns and villages greatly decreased during the mergers. However, they hold about one-third of the prefecture's population.<ref name="Yotsuya" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |District
! rowspan="2" |Type
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ama Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ama, Shimane|Ama]]
|海士町
|33.5
|2,293
|[[Oki District, Shimane|Oki District]]
|Town
|[[File:Ama in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Chibu, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chibu, Shimane|Chibu]]
|知夫村
|13.7
|657
|[[Oki District, Shimane|Oki District]]
|Village
|[[File:Chibu in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Iinan, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Iinan, Shimane|Iinan]]
|飯南町
|242.84
|4,908
|[[Iishi District, Shimane|Iishi District]]
|Town
|[[File:Iinan in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kawamoto, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kawamoto, Shimane|Kawamoto]]
|川本町
|106.39
|3,331
|[[Ōchi District, Shimane|Ōchi District]]
|Town
|[[File:Kawamoto in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Misato, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Misato, Shimane|Misato]]
|美郷町
|282.92
|4,712
|[[Ōchi District, Shimane|Ōchi District]]
|Town
|[[File:Misato in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nishinoshima, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nishinoshima, Shimane|Nishinoshima]]
|西ノ島町
|55.98
|2,923
|[[Oki District, Shimane|Oki District]]
|Town
|[[File:Nishinoshima in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Okinoshima, Shimane.svg|25px]] [[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]
|隠岐の島町
|242.97
|14,422
|[[Oki District, Shimane|Oki District]]
|Town
|[[File:Okinoshima in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Okuizumo, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Okuizumo]]
|奥出雲町
|368.06
|12,655
|[[Nita District, Shimane|Nita District]]
|Town
|[[File:Okuizumo in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ōnan, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōnan, Shimane|Ōnan]]
|邑南町
|419.29
|10,922
|[[Ōchi District, Shimane|Ōchi District]]
|Town
|[[File:Onan in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tsuwano, Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tsuwano, Shimane|Tsuwano]]
|津和野町
|307.09
|7,478
|[[Kanoashi District, Shimane|Kanoashi District]]
|Town
|[[File:Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yoshika Shimane.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]]
|吉賀町
|336.29
|6,231
|[[Kanoashi District, Shimane|Kanoashi District]]
|Town
|[[File:Yoshika in Shimane Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|50x50px]]
|}

===Mergers===
{{Main|List of mergers in Shimane Prefecture}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 
! !! colspan="2"|  April 1976 !! January 2011 !! January 2012
|-
! rowspan="29" | Izumo Region
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"| Matsue City (Old System) || rowspan="8" | Matsue City (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="9" | Matsue City<br/> (August 1, 2011 Merger with Higashiizumo Town)
|-
| rowspan="8" | Yatsuka District || Kashima Town 
|-
| Shimane Town
|-
| Mihonoseki Town
|-
| Yakumo Village
|-
| Tamayu Town
|-
| Shinji Town
|-
| Yatsuka Town
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"|  Higashiizumo Town
|-
| style="text-align: center;"  colspan="2"| Yasugi City (Old System) || rowspan="3" | Yasugi City (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="3" | Yasugi City
|-
| rowspan="2" | Nogi District || Hirose Town 
|-
| Hakuta Town 
|-
| rowspan="2" | Nita District || Yokota Town || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="2" colspan="2"|  Okuizumo Town
|-
| Nita Town
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"| Izumo City (Old System) || rowspan="6" | Izumo City (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="7" | Izumo City<br/> (October 1, 2011 Merger with Hikawa Town)
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"| Hirata City
|-
| rowspan="5" | Hikawa District || Taisha Town
|-
| Koryo Town
|-
| Taki Town
|-
| Sada Town
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"|  Hikawa Town
|-
| rowspan="3" | Ōhara District || Daitō Town || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="6" colspan="2"| Unnan City
|-
| Kamo Town
|-
| Kisuki Town
|-
| rowspan="5" | Iishi District || Mitoya Town
|-
| Kakeya Town
|-
| Yoshida Village
|-
| Tonbara Town  || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="2" colspan="2"|  Iinan Town
|-
| Akagi Town
|-
! rowspan="23" | Iwami Region
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"| Ōda City (Old System) || rowspan="3" | Ōda City (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="3" | Ōda City
|-
| rowspan="2" | Nima District || Yunotsu Town
|-
| Nima Town 
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"| Gōtsu City (Old System) || rowspan="2" | Gōtsu City (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="2" | Gōtsu City
|-
| rowspan="7" | Ōchi District || Sakurae Town
|-
| Ōchi Town || style="text-align: center;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"| Misato Town
|-
| Daiwa Village
|-
| Iwami Town || style="text-align: center;" rowspan="3" colspan="2"| Ōnan Town
|-
| Mizuho Town
|-
| Hasumi Village
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="4"| Kawamoto Town
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"| Hamada City (Old System) || rowspan="5" | Hamada City (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="5" | Hamada City
|-
| rowspan="4" | Naka District || Asahi Town
|-
| Kanagi Town
|-
| Misumi Town
|-
| Yasaka Village
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"| Masuda City (Old System) || rowspan="3" | Masuda City (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="3" | Masuda City
|-
| rowspan="2" | Mino District || Mito Town
|-
| Hikimi Town
|-
| rowspan="4" | Kanoashi District || Tsuwano Town (Old System) || rowspan="2" | Tsuwano Town (New System) || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="2" | Tsuwano Town
|-
| Nichihara Town
|-
| Muikaichi Town || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="2" colspan="2"| Yoshika Town
|-
| Kakinoki Village
|-
! rowspan="7" | Oki Region
| rowspan="7" | Oki District || Saigō Town || style="text-align: center;"  rowspan="4" colspan="2"| Okinoshima Town
|-
| Fuse Village
|-
| Goka Village
|-
| Tsuma Village
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="4"| Nishinoshima Town
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="4"| Ama Town
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="4"| Chibu Village
|}

==Climate==

Shimane prefecture has a sub-tropical climate. Winter is cloudy with a little snow, and summer is humid. The average annual temperature is {{cvt|14.6|C}}. It rains almost every day in the rainy season, from June to mid-July. The highest average monthly temperature occurs in August with {{cvt|26.3|C}}. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|1799|mm}}, higher than Tokyo's {{cvt|1467|mm}} and [[Obihiro]] with {{cvt|920.|mm}}.<ref name="Yotsuya" />

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:smaller; text-align:right; white-space:nowrap"
|+ Shimane Prefecture Yearly Averages by Region (Statistics Period: 1971 - 2000, Source: [http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/menu/report.html Japanese Meteorological Agency: Statistical Climate Information])
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Average Year <br /> (Month)
!colspan="3"|Oki
!colspan="4"|Izumo (Coastal)
!colspan="3"|Izumo (Inland) 
|-
![[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]<br />[[Saigo (Shimane Prefecture)|Saigo]] 　!! [[Okinoshima, Shimane|Okinoshima]]<br />[[Okinoshima Airport|Saigo Cape]]!! [[Ama, Shimane|Ama]]　!!　[[Matsue]]<br />[[Kashima (Shimane Prefecture)|Kashima]]　!! [[Matsue City|Matsue]] !!　[[Hikawa, Shimane|Hikawa]]　!! [[Izumo City|Izumo]]!!　[[Okuizumo]]<br />[[Yokota, Shimane|Yokota]]　!!　[[Unnan]]<br />[[Kakeya, Shimane|Kakeya]]　!!　[[Iinan]]<br />Akana　
|-
!rowspan="2"|Average<br />Temperature<br />([[Celsius|°C]])
!Warmest Month
| 25.6<br />(Aug)  ||   
| 25.8<br />(Aug)   || 25.6<br />(Aug)
| 26.3<br />(Aug)  || 
| 25.8<br />(Aug)  || 24.0<br />(Aug)
| 24.5<br />(Aug)  || 23.4<br />(Aug)
|-
!Coldest Month
| 3.9<br />(Feb) ||
| 4.5<br />(Feb) || 4.4<br />(Feb)
| 4.2<br />(Jan) || 
| 4.5<br />(Feb) || 0.7<br />(Feb)
| 2.3<br />(Feb) || 0.4<br />(Jan, Feb)
|-
!rowspan="2"|[[Rainfall]]<br />([[Millimeters|mm]])
!Heaviest Month
| 211.6<br />(Sept) || 
| 227.0<br />(July)  || 218.0<br />(Sept) 
| 240.5<br />(July) || 
| 236.2<br />(July) || 234.2<br />(July)
| 257.1<br />(July) || 282.2<br />(July) 
|-
!Driest Month
| 110.4<br />(Oct) || 
| 96.4<br />(Feb) || 104.7<br />(April)
| 114.5<br />(April) || 
| 96.3<br />(Feb) || 103.4<br />(April)
| 120.7<br />(April) || 116.5<br />(Oct)
|-
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Average Year<br /> (Month)
!colspan="4"|Iwami (Coastal)
!colspan="6"|Iwami (Inland)
|-
!　[[Ōda, Shimane|Ōda]] 　!! [[Hamada City|Hamada]]!! [[Masuda City|Masuda]]　!! [[Masuda City]]<br />[[Iwami Airport|Takatsu]]　!!　[[Kawamoto, Shimane|Kawamoto]] !!　[[Ōnan]]<br /> !! [[Hamada City]]<br />[[Yasaka Village|Yasaka]]　!!　[[Tsuwano]]　!! [[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]] !!　[[Yoshika, Shimane|Yoshika]]<br />Muikaichi　
|-
!rowspan="2"|Average<br />Temperature<br />([[Celsius|°C]])
!Warmest Month
| 26.5<br />(Aug) || 26.2<br />(Aug)  
| 26.8<br />(Aug) || 
| 24.2<br />(Aug) || 23.9<br />(Aug)
| 23.6<br />(Aug) || 25.7<br />(Aug)
|  || 24.5<br />(Aug)
|-
!Coldest Month
| 4.9<br />(Jan, Feb) || 5.8<br />(Feb)
| 5.4<br />(Jan, Feb) || 
| 2.7<br />(Jan) || 0.8<br />(Jan) 
| 1.5<br />(Jan) || 3.0<br />(Jan)
|  || 1.9<br />(Jan)
|-
!rowspan="2"|[[Rainfall]]<br />([[Millimeters|mm]])
!Heaviest Month
| 246.3<br />(July) || 257.7<br />(July)   
| 223.9<br />(June)  ||
| 260.2<br />(July) || 260.6<br />(July)
| 340.0<br />(July) || 285.6<br />(July)
|  || 337.4<br />(June)
|-
!Driest Month
| 98.3<br />(Feb) || 90.9<br />(Feb)  
| 87.9<br />(Feb) || 
| 112.5<br />(Feb) || 109.2<br />(Nov)
| 130.4<br />(April) || 99.7<br />(Dec)
|  || 76.8<br />(Dec)
|-
|}

==Transportation==

===Airports===

Three airports serve Shimane. The Izumo Airport located in [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]] is the largest airport in the prefecture in terms of passengers and has regular flights to [[Haneda Airport]], [[Osaka International Airport|Osaka Airport]], [[Fukuoka Airport]], and [[Oki Airport]]. The Iwami Airport has two flights each day to Haneda and Osaka and 2 arrivals. Oki Airport has scheduled flights to Osaka and Izumo Airports.<ref>[http://www.town.okinoshima.shimane.jp/event/schedule.html Flight schedule of Oki Airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830091118/http://www.town.okinoshima.shimane.jp/event/schedule.html |date=August 30, 2007 }}</ref>

* [[Izumo Airport]]
* [[Iwami Airport]]
* [[Oki Airport]]

===Rail===
[[JR West]] and [[Ichibata Electric Railway]] serves the prefecture in terms of rail transportation. The [[Sanin Main Line]] goes through the prefecture on the [[Sea of Japan]] side into major cities such as Matsue and Izumo.<ref name="JR map">[http://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/pdf/index_all.pdf Route map for JR West]</ref> {{STN|Izumoshi|x}} and {{STN|Matsue|x}} stations are the major stops in the prefecture. The Kisuki line, which forks from [[Shinji Station]] on the Sanin Line, connects with the [[Geibi Line]] in [[Hiroshima Prefecture]], cutting into the [[Chūgoku Mountains]].<ref name="JR map" /> Ichibata Electric Railway serve the Shimane peninsula from [[Dentetsu-Izumoshi Station]] and [[Izumo Taisha-mae Station]] to [[Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station]].<ref>[http://www.ichibata.co.jp/railway/ Route map of Ichibata Electric Railway]</ref>

JR West has three Limited Express trains to Shimane, which are ''[[Super Matsukaze]]'', ''[[Super Oki]]'', and ''[[Yakumo (train)|Yakumo]]''.<ref>[http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/category/ra.html JR West website on limited express trains]</ref> Additionally, the overnight limited express ''[[Sunrise Izumo]]'' operates daily between [[Tokyo Station|Tokyo]] and [[Izumoshi Station|Izumoshi]].

* '''[[West Japan Railway Company]]'''
** [[Kisuki Line]]
** [[Sanin Main Line]]
** [[Sankō Line]]
** [[Yamaguchi Line]]
* '''[[Ichibata Electric Railway]]'''
** [[Kita-Matsue Line]]
** [[Ichibata Electric Railway Taisha Line|Taisha Line]]

===Roads===

====General roads====
*[[Japan National Route 9]]
**[[Izumo Bypass]]
**[[Gōtsu Road]]
*[[Japan National Route 54]]
*[[Japan National Route 180]]
*[[Japan National Route 184]]
*[[Japan National Route 186]]
*[[Japan National Route 187]]
*[[Japan National Route 191]]
*[[Japan National Route 261]]
*[[Japan National Route 314]]
*[[Japan National Route 375]]
*[[Japan National Route 431]]
*[[Japan National Route 432]]
*[[Japan National Route 485]]
*[[Japan National Route 488]]

====Highways====
The four expressways in the prefecture connect major cities with other prefectures. The Matsue expressway connects Matsue with Unnan and Yonago in Tottori prefecture. Hamada Expressway forks from the Chūgoku Expressway at Kita-Hiroshima and stretches to Hamada.<ref name="Junior High Map" />

* [[Sanin Expressway]]
* [[Matsue Expressway]]
* [[Hamada Expressway]]
* [[Chūgoku Expressway]]

===Ferries===
* [[Oki Kisen]]

===Gallery===
<gallery>
File:IzumoStationbuilding 2018-1-5.jpg|[[JR Izumo Station]]
File:Kiha187-Sanin-Line.jpg|[[Super Oki|Super Oki express]] in [[Sanin Line]]
File:Ichibata-Taisya-line Series7000.jpg|[[Ichibata Electric Railway]]
File:Izumoenmusubi.jpg|[[Izumo Airport|Izumo Enmusubi Airport]]
File:Terminal building in port of Saigo (Shimane).JPG|Oki Saigo Port
</gallery>

== Economy ==
In Shimane, the largest employer is the retail industry, employing over 60,000 workers. The supermarket, Mishimaya, and the hardware store, Juntendo, are examples of companies based in Shimane. The manufacturing industry has the second highest number of employees with 49,000 workers. {{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

===Companies based in Shimane===

====Manufacturing====
* [[Izumo Murata Manufacturing]]
* [[Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery]]
* [[Shimane Fujitsu]]

====Financial====
* [[The San-in Godo Bank]]
* [[The Shimane Bank]]

====Others====
* [[Ichibata Electric Railway]]
* [[Juntendo]]
* [[Mishimaya]]
* [[Network Applied Communication Laboratory]]

===Major factories===
* [[Hitachi Metals]]

== Demographics ==
[[File:Shimane prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Shimane prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
One-third of the prefecture's population is concentrated in the [[Izumo, Shimane|Izumo]]-[[Matsue]] area. Otherwise, over two-thirds of the population is on the [[coastline]]. A reason for the population distribution is that the Chūgoku Mountains make the land inland harder to inhabit. The capital, Matsue, has the smallest population of all 47 prefectural capitals. Shimane has also the largest percentage of elderly people.<ref name="Yotsuya">{{cite book|page=113|title=考える社会科地図 Kangaeru Shakaika Chizu|year=2005|publisher=四谷大塚出版 Yotsuya-Ōtsuka Shuppan}}</ref> The province had an estimated 743 centenarians per million inhabitants in September 2010, the highest ratio in Japan, overtaking [[Okinawa Prefecture]] (667 centenarians per million).<ref>Japan Times [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100915a8.html “Centenarians to Hit Record 44,000”]. The Japan Times, Sept. 15, 2010. [[Okinawa Prefecture]] also had the largest loss of young and middle-aged population during the [[Pacific War]].</ref>

===Population by age===
<div style="width:50%;float:left"><!-- 1pix=1,000x1.58 -->
Total Population in age groups<br/>
2007 Estimated Population<br/>
Unit: Thousands
{| cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0
|-
! Age
! Population
|-
|0 - 4 
|[[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]] 30
|-
|5 - 9
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g01.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 33
|-
|10 - 14
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 35
|-
|15 - 19
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]] 37
|-
|20 - 24
|[[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]][[Image:g01.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 32
|-
|25 - 29
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 38
|-
|30 - 34
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 44
|-
|35 - 39
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 41
|-
|40 - 44
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 38
|-
|45 - 49
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 44
|-
|50 - 54
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 51
|-
|55 - 59
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g10.png]] 66
|-
|60 - 64
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 44
|-
|65 - 69
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 45
|-
|70 - 74
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 50
|-
|75 - 79
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g01.png]] 45
|-
|80 and over
|[[Image:g50.png]][[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]] 64
|}
</div>
<div style="width:50%;float:left">
Population in age groups by gender<br/>
2007 Estimated population<br/>
Unit: Thousands
{| cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0
|-
! style="text-align:right;" |Male
! style="text-align:center;" |Age
! Female
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |15 [[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g03.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |0 - 4
|[[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r03.png]] 15
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |17 [[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |5 - 9
|[[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r05.png]] 16
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |18 [[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g01.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |10 - 14
|[[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r05.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 17
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |19 [[Image:g30.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |15 - 19
|[[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r05.png]][[Image:r03.png]] 18
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |16 [[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |20 - 24
|[[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r05.png]] 16
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |19 [[Image:g30.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |25 - 29
|[[Image:r30.png]] 19
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |22 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |30 - 34
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r03.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 22
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |20 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |35 - 39
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 20
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |19 [[Image:g30.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |40 - 44
|[[Image:r30.png]] 19
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |22 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |45 - 49
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r03.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 22
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |26 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g03.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |50 - 54
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r01.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 25
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |34 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g10.png]][[Image:g05.png]][[Image:g03.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |55 - 59
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r05.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 32
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |22 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |60 - 64
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r05.png]][[Image:r03.png]] 23
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |20 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |65 - 69
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 24
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |22 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g03.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |70 - 74
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r03.png]][[Image:r01.png]] 28
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |19 [[Image:g30.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |75 - 79
|[[Image:r30.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r03.png]] 26
|-
| style="text-align:right;" |20 [[Image:g30.png]][[Image:g01.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |80 and over
|[[Image:r50.png]][[Image:r10.png]][[Image:r05.png]] 44
|}
</div>
{{clear|left}}
*Source: [http://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/2004np/index.htm Graph 10/Prefectures Age（In Age groups）, Gender divided population－Total Population]<br/>(Ministry of Internal Affairs Statistics Bureau)

{{Japan prefectures population|name=Shimane|code=32000}}

{{Historical populations
| 1920 |   715,000
| 1930 |   740,000
| 1940 |   741,000
| 1950 |   913,000
| 1960 |   889,000
| 1970 |   773,575
| 1980 |   784,795
| 1990 |   781,021
| 2000 |   761,503
| 2010 |   717,397
| 2020 |   679,626
|align       = none
| footnote = <ref>[http://www.citypopulation.de/Japan-Shimane.html Shimane 1995-2020 population statistics]</ref><ref>[http://www.demographia.com/db-japanpref.htm Shimane 1920-2000 population statistics]</ref>
}}

== Culture ==

===Cultural assets===
[[File:Nima Sand Museum 1.jpg|thumb|right|Nima Sand Museum in Oda]]
;World Cultural Heritage
* [[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine|The Historic Remains of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Background]] (Ōda City)

;National Treasures
* Armour Laced with white thread ([[Hinomisaki Shrine]])
* [[Bronze bells from the Kamo-Iwakura site]] Unearthed bronze bell-shaped vessel (Unnan City)
* [[Izumo-taisha]] Main Shrine (Izumo City)
* [[Kamosu Shrine]] Main Shrine (Matsue City)
* [[Kojindani Ruins]] Unearthed ruins (Izumo City)
* Toiletry case with autumn field and deer design (Izumo-taisha)

;Important Traditional Building Preservation Area
* Ōmori (Ōda City)
* [[Yunotsu]] (Ōda City)

=== Dialects ===
* [[Iwami dialect]]
* [[Unpaku dialect]] (Izumo dialect, Oki dialect, etc.)

===Universities in Shimane Prefecture===
* [[Shimane University]], Matsue and Izumo (National university)<ref>[http://www.shimane-u.ac.jp/ Shimane University]</ref>
* The [[University of Shimane]], Hamada (Prefectural university)<ref>[http://www.u-shimane.ac.jp/ University of Shimane]</ref>

== Tourism ==
*[[Adachi Museum of Art]]
*[[Aquas Aquarium]]
*[[Iwami Art Museum]]
*[[Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine]]
*[[Izumo-taisha]]
*[[Izumo Province]]
*[[Matsue Castle]]
*[[Mt. Sanbe]]
*[[Shimane Art Museum]]
*[[Shimane Vogel Park]]
*[[Shimane Winery]]
*[[Tamatsukuri Onsen]]

[[File:Adachi Museum of Art Garden.jpg|thumb|Garden of the [[Adachi Museum of Art]] in [[Yasugi]]]]

== Prefectural symbols ==
The prefectural flower is the mountain [[peony]]. On the island of Daikonjima, they have been grown from at least the 18th century.<ref>[http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/kenshou.html Symbols of Shimane Prefecture: From Shimane Prefecture website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121959/http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/kochokoho/profile/kenshou.html |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Lafcadio Hearn]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC  ''Japan encyclopedia.''] Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58053128?referer=di&ht=edition  OCLC 58053128]

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Shimane prefecture}}
* [http://www1.pref.shimane.lg.jp/contents/kokusai/kokusai-e/index.html Official homepage of Shimane Prefecture]
* National Archives of Japan [http://jpimg.digital.archives.go.jp/jpg_prg/jgmWeb?%TmpFileDisp%env=jpeg2k_images/ezu/fukenchizu/023_shimane_e.env  ... Shimane map (1891)]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/ Sightseeing In Shimane]

{{Shimane}}

{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|35|13|N|132|40|E|scale:500000|display=title}}

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Shimane Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Chūgoku region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]