Tamayu, Shimane

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Tamayu (玉湯町; -cho) is a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.

As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 6,063 and a density of 164.58 persons per km². The total area is 36.84 km². It is noted for it's Hot Spring. Tamatsukuri Onsen. Tamatsukuri meaning making of tama jewelry in ancient times. The jewelry made there was mined on Mt. Kasensan. Noted for its production of Menou or Agate, a green quartz stone, this stone is one of the three gifts given to each newly crowned Emperor. The Onsen is recognized in the oldest of all Japanese history books. Today it is a tourist destination for Japanese living in the Western part of the country, although it is famous all over Japan. It boasts a famous Onsen Matsuri, a summer festival that draws thousands of visitors each year, followed by a parade and beautiful sunsets on Lake Shinji. There are a couple of small temples and shrines that give you a great perspective on regular warm Japanese people. One thing to be aware of is that the Japanese dialect spoken here is Izumo-ben or Izumo dialect which can be difficult to understand but the people are warm and understanding.