Izumo, Shimane

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Izumo soba, a variety of soba named after Izumo

Izumo (出雲市; -shi) is a city located in Shimane, Japan.

1 Old city of Izumo
2 New City of Izumo
3 Features of Izumo
4 References to Izumo
5 External links

[edit] Old city of Izumo

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 87,940 and the density of 510.30 persons per km². The total area is 172.33 km².

The city was founded on November 3, 1941. At a distance from the city is the Great shinto shrine of Izumo, located in the nearby town of Taisha.

On March 22, 2005, the city merged with cities of Hirata and four cities from Hikawa District to form the new city of Izumo.

[edit] New City of Izumo

After the creation of the new city, they have an estimated population of 148,746. The total area of the new city of Izumo is 543.43km².

[edit] Features of Izumo

Izumo is serviced by two rail networks. The JR West Rail Line (Sanin Line) passes through Izumo, bringing passengers from Okayama through Yonago and Matsue among other town and city stations, and then heading further out past Oda.

The secondary rail network is the Dentetsu Line. The Dentetsu Izumoshi station is the line terminal, and runs from Izumo to Matsue, passing through and connecting Hirata City to Izumo by rail. The Dentetsu line also branches out and runs to Izumo Taisha, but this branch requires a change at Kawato Station.

Close to the JR Line station are several large and quality hotels, including the Tokoyo Inn, Hotel A1, Izumo Green Hotel Morris and the Twin Leaves Hotel.

Despite the relatively small size of the city, Izumo has a wide range of fast food and popular restaurant stores. These include McDonalds, KFC, Mos Burger, Dom Dom Burger, Gusto, Joyfull, Mr Donuts and Bamiyan amongst others.

There are two internet cafes in Izumo, these being Media Cafe Arion and Third Station. Located on opposite sides of the road, both are affordable and comfortable options for internet, comics, pool, and other forms of entertainment.

[edit] References to Izumo

A variety of soba noodles called "Izumo soba" is named after the city.
In the anime and manga Shaman King, the main character Yoh Asakura is from Izumo.
The main character of anime and manga Blue Seed is from Izumo.
In the video game Golden Sun: The Lost Age, a town is named Izumo that follows the story of the Kushinada.