Rainy day things to do in Shimane with kids 3 spots
Shimane is where Japan's oldest myths are set, on the quiet far coast of Honshu. Stone rabbits are scattered across the grounds at Izumo Taisha for children to find, and the boat around Matsue Castle's moat passes under bridges so low the roof folds down.
A hillside park of glasshouses in bloom all year, with about 90 kinds of birds.
Stroller OK · Changing table · Family restroom · checked Aug ’26
A museum given over to sand, with the world's largest hourglass standing in it.
Stroller OK · Nursing room · Changing table · checked Aug ’26
An art museum in Shimane built around a Japanese garden that you view from indoors.
Stroller OK · Nursing room · Changing table · checked Nov ’26
Four display glasshouses and the lookout are linked by covered walkways into an all-weather park, so you generally do not need an umbrella in the rain. What is outdoors: Vogel Farm, home to the emus, and the 13:30 bird show on the lawn, which may move to another spot in rough weather.
You go inside a building of six large and small glass pyramids to see Sunagoyomi, the world's largest one-year sand clock. Strollers can be wheeled straight in, and free loaner strollers are available too.
The garden is viewed from inside, so you can see it in the rain. On one rainy day in March 2007, a family's tired children and their father rested on the sofa facing it.