Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, is located in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. It is a new city formed in 2005 through the merger of five cities, towns, and villages. Its main industry is fishing, with Hamada brand fish such as horse mackerel, flounder, and blackthroat seaperch landing as its specialties. It is also famous for traditional crafts such as Sekishu-banshi paper, which is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Hundreds of times a year, Hamada performs Iwami Kagura, a traditional folk performing art passed down through the ages, at shrine festivals. Iwami Kagura began performing overseas following the Osaka Expo, contributing to the exchange of Japanese culture with other countries. With a large fan base in Japan, Iwami Kagura attracts many tourists throughout the year.