A town that once thrived on cotton and still retains its old-world charm ~Unshu Hirata 雲州平田

Location; 841 Hirata-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture
Access; It takes about 20 minutes by Ichibata Railway from Izumo City Station to Unshu-Hirata. From Izumo Taisha-mae Station, it takes about 35 minutes. From there, it is about a 10-minute walk. The journey from Okayama to Izumo City takes about 3 hours by limited express train.

Official site https://momen-kaidou.jp/en/

Going to Hirata

First of all, let’s take the local railway, the Ichibata Tram, from Izumo City.

The area around the station has a truly quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Until recently, Hirata was a town known only to a select few.

It is only recently that they have finally begun to develop facilities such as tourist information centres and promote the area as a tourist destination. It may hardly be mentioned anywhere else.

Momen Kaido (Cotton Road)

As you cross the bridge, the old townscape comes into view.

The town began to prosper through the cotton trade from around the early 18th century. Partly because it was developed during a period of civil strife, a site surrounded by rivers was chosen.

Hirata dolls are occasionally on display. These are unusual craft items made entirely from tea sets, pottery and Buddhist altarware, which are shaped and held together with wire.