Board your motor coach and drive west through Matsue, passing Lake Shinji en route to Izumo. Lake Shinji is the seventh largest lake in Japan, and is a combination of fresh-water and salt-water, depending on the tide. The sunset over the lake is especially famous for its vivid color and beauty, and is a symbol of the 'Water Capital', Matsue. Izumo-taisha - the Grand Shrine of Izumo - is one of the oldest and most important Shinto temples in Japan. Tour the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. The museum focuses on the shrine's style of architecture, ancient records on the geography of Izumo and bronze artifacts from the Kofun Period (2nd - 5th century A.D.). Explore Izumo-taisha, once the largest wooden structure in Japan. View the torii gate and the taisha-style buildings - perhaps the oldest architectural style in Japan. Visit Mizuki Shigeru Road. Izumo-taisha is a major pilgrimage site and the scene of important festivals. Continue to a local restaurant for a lunch featuring regional cuisine. Return to Sakaiminato.