Tsuwano
Tsuwano is a must- see on any visit to the Iwami region. This ' little Kyoto' of Shimane is bursting with shrines, and temples, traditional houses, museums, art galleries, and plenty of nice cafes and inns. Don't miss the Yabusame festival in April, when men on horseback shoot arrows at three targets on what might be termed the village green. There is also the Heron dance festival in July, and a traditional Obon summer festival in August. Don't forget to feed the carp in the iris-filled canals which line the streets. It is said that they outnumber the human residents of Tsuwano now.
Tsuwano is easily accessible on the JR San'in train line. Or fly into Hagi-Iwami airport from Tokyo (find Hagi-Iwami airport is in the Chugoku-Shikoku pop-up menu) and take the bus to the nearest JR station, Masuda. Tsuwano is only 30 minutes away by express train, or 40 minutes by local train. You can also take the bus from Hiroshima. Or take the steam train from Yamguchi and arrive in style. (Japanese link to the days when the steam train runs. Buy your ticket at any JR station.)