Project 47: Episode 8 — Shimane Prefecture (Solo Motorcycle Journey Across Japan)
Most travelers never leave the "Golden Route." They see the neon of Tokyo and the temples of Kyoto, but they miss the soul of the country.
Shimane is different. It is a region of deep shadows and ancient myths—the spiritual "Zero Point" of Japan. This episode follows a transformative three-day push through the West. After being pinned down by monsoon-level rains and treacherous mountain passes, the clouds finally broke to reveal a coastline that felt less like Japan and more like a Mediterranean dream.
From the "Little Kyoto" of Tsuwano to the ghostly history of the Iwami Ginzan silver mines, this ride became more than a documentary. It became an awakening. Between saving turtles on the coastal road and racing bears through pitch-black mountain passes, the rhythm of my motorcycle began to shift something inside of me.
This isn't just a motorcycle tour. It is a changing of consciousness, one prefecture at a time.
In this movie:
00:22 – Starting the Journey: Hamada to the Coast
02:17 – Drying Out at the Sea: Life on the Road
04:15 – Into the Mountains: The Sentimental Connection to Shimane
06:31 – Tsuwano: Exploring the "Little Kyoto" of Shimane
07:45 – The Dark History of the Hidden Christians
09:11 – Coastal Camping: Avoiding the Bears
09:53 – Day 2: The Motorcycle Shrine Blessing
11:41 – Saving a Turtle & Epic Coastal Roads
13:12 – Iwami Ginzan: The Silver Mine and Ghostly History
14:36 – Hidden Waterfalls and Forest Rides
16:52 – Izumo Taisha: Standing at the Zero Point of Japan
17:31 – Bentenjima: The Beach Where the Gods Meet
19:04 – Day 3: Chasing the Tallest Stone Lighthouse in Japan
25:00 – Matsue City and the Original Castle Tower
26:00 – Meeting the In-Laws: Lunch with a Marksman
26:45 – The Final Push: Racing Bears Through a Pitch Black Mountain Pass
29:03 – Outro: Autopilot to Hiroshima and Final Thoughts
🇯🇵 About Project 47:
Project 47 is a solo motorcycle documentary series covering all 47 prefectures of Japan. This Japan road trip explores the real country beyond the tourist trail. From motocamping spots to hidden rural shrines, this series captures the essence of solo travel in Japan. If you enjoy cinematic motovlogs, Japan travel guides, or long-format motorcycle road trips (like Long Way Round or Harley Davidson travel diaries), welcome to the journey.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RideThruJapan/
SUPPORT THE RIDE Join Team Riders (¥140 / $1 per month): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7QUavyzNZwmN69oLfZxsUQ/join
📍 Filmed in: Shimane Prefecture, Japan (Sea of Japan Coast & Izumo) Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum 小泉八雲記念館
🏍️ Motorbike: Triumph 400X Scrambler
Watch the full Project 47 playlist — my ride through all 47 prefectures of Japan:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmfZhaoecyj7cmIPW3d5RVHgljlKch4H
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