Prefecture Directory · Chugoku
Shimane 島根県
Shimane Prefecture lies on the San'in coast west of Tottori, encompassing the ancient Izumo Grand Shrine, the Oki Islands, and Matsue, one of Japan's best-preserved castle towns. The prefecture has one of Japan's lowest population densities outside Hokkaido. Foreign residents include technical training workers and a community centered around Matsue and the Hamada coastal area.
Healthcare landscape
Shimane University Hospital in Izumo and Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital in Matsue are the primary tertiary-care facilities. The prefecture's small and aging population has led to consolidation of healthcare services; rural residents often travel to the prefectural capitals for specialty care. Shimane International Center (SIC) provides consultation in 23 languages across its Matsue base.
Multilingual medical support
しまね多文化共生総合相談ワンストップセンター
公益財団法人しまね国際センター（SIC）
- Phone
- 0852-31-5056
- Hours
- 月〜金 9:00〜17:00
- Languages
- 12 languages
Public health center (保健所)
Shimane Prefecture operates public health centers (保健所, hokenjo) across its municipalities. Public health centers manage infectious disease surveillance, maternal and child health programs, and mental health consultation. Contact the prefectural health department or your municipal office to locate the nearest hokenjo.
Emergency numbers in Japan
- Ambulance / Fire: 119
- Police: 110
- Japan Helpline (24-hr English): 0570-000-911
- JNTO Tourist Helpline: 050-3816-2787 (available for medical referrals)
See our emergency guide for full details on calling an ambulance and communicating with emergency services in Japan.
Last reviewed: September 2026