Hinomisaki

Cape Hinomisaki at the western tip of the Shimane Peninsula combines Japan's tallest stone lighthouse with a vividly painted vermillion shrine and dramatic columnar rock formations along the shoreline. The shrine, believed to guard Japan through the night while Ise Jingu watches over daytime, faces sacred offshore islands where an annual sunset ritual has been performed since ancient times. The islands themselves are off-limits, but the coastal views at dusk are the draw. Beyond the shrine, the cape offers kayaking, snorkeling, and diving in clear sea water, making it a natural stop for those exploring the San'in coast.