Social Program

Welcome Reception

We will have a welcome reception/dinner for all participants and accompanying persons on Sunday 17th November 2019 at Kunibiki Messe.

Conference Excursion

The shimenawa (sacred rope) that hangs at IzumoTaisha Grand Shrine is the largest in Japan, weighing 5 tons.

Our excursion course will include IzumoTaisha Grand Shrine in Izumo city, which is known as a home of Susanoo’s descendent who established ancient Japan. Although no record gives the date of establishment, it is considered as the oldest shrine in Japan.

Each year during the 10th month of lunar calendar, all the eight million gods in Japan leave their shrines to gather at Izumo Taisha. Thus, there are no gods in other prefectures during this annual meeting. Actually, October in lunar calendar is called Kannazuki (No God month), while it is called Kamiarizuki (God stays month) only in Izumo. The time of the gods’ annual meeting partly overlaps with IISC-23.

Shinmon-dori Street in front of the guard frame of IzumoTaisha Grand Shrine

After visiting IzumoTaisha Grand Shrine, we may enjoy free walking along Shinmon-dori Street at the opposite side of Izumo Taisha entrance. We will have free time here for shopping. There are many attractive local arts, crafts, Japanese snacks, and so on. Zenzai (Japanese traditional sweet) may energize you after walking through Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine.

Small Outing

Horikawa Sightseeing Boat tour circles the canals around Matsue Castle, passing historical inner and outer moats, which you may not see otherwise.

We will go out for lunch on Tuesday (Nov. 19). We will move to the local beer hall from the conference venue by Horikawa sightseeing boat through the canals around Matsue Castle. A boarding point will be specially set up for IISC-23.

Conference Dinner

The Banquet will be held at Yuushien which is a traditional Japanese-style garden located in the center of Daikonshima Island. A course meal will be served. Before the Banquet, you can walk through the Japanese garden and enjoy the view of autumn leaves and some flowers.

A flat, volcanic island, Daikonshima Island is located in the middle of Lake Nakaumi. It is famous for its production of Japanese peonies and ginseng.

Accompanying persons program

We may have special sightseeing tours for accompanying persons possibly on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. All accompanying persons are welcome to participate either or all of the tour. The major sightseeing spots currently planned are as follows.
NOTE: Additional payment is needed to participate the accompanying persons program. The organizer will decide whether to hold the tour based on the number of participants.

# Monday (Nov. 18th)
-Kamosu Shrine:
The main shrine is Japan's oldest Taisha-style shine and was designated as a National Treasure in 1952.
-Izumo Kanbe no Sato:
You can enjoy here listening to the myths and legends of the Izumo region as well as experience traditional folk crafts of the region.

# Tuesday (Nov. 19th)
-Karakoro Art Studio:
You can enjoy here workshops and shopping of Japanese traditional handicrafts such as temari and magatama.
-Matsue Castle:
Matsue Castle is located within walking distance from the conference venue, which was built over a five year period (1607-1611). It is one of the last remaining original feudal castles in Japan, and is one of the only five castles designated as National Treasure.

# Wednesday (Nov. 20th)
-Adachi Museum of Art:
Here is well known for its award wining garden. You can also enjoy here art works by Taikan Yokoyama.

Matsue Castle is located within walking distance from the conference venue, which was built over a five year period (1607-1611). It is one of the last remaining original feudal castles in Japan, and is one of the only five castles designated as National Treasure.

The conference will be held in the peak time of beautiful autumn leaves.

Optional Tour

The local organizers of IISC-23 believe many of the international participants in IISC-23 have great concern in the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Fukushima #1 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Accident in 2011 as well as its present status. Upon requests, the local organizers are planning an optional visit into the TEPCO Fukushima #1 NPP site for international participants to IISC-23 after the meeting period on Monday 25th. If you are interested in taking this option in any way, please contact IISC-23 office (iisc23@ml.nims.go.jp) by e-mail with the subject "Fukushima optional tour".