Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, is located in the eastern part of the prefecture. It was newly formed in 2005 through the merger of two neighboring cities and four towns. The city faces the Shimane Peninsula, known for the Kunibiki myth, the Izumo Plain in the center, and the Chugoku Mountains to the south. Izumo City is dotted with numerous historical and cultural heritage sites, including Izumo Taisha Shrine, which is associated with the myths recorded in the Kojiki, and Hinomisaki Shrine, which is recorded as Misakisha in the Izumo Fudoki. Local specialties include grapes and figs grown in the magnificent natural environment, as well as Izumo soba, one of Japan's three major soba noodles. The Izumo National Soba Festival, held in October, attracts many tourists every year, offering a chance to sample Izumo soba and other soba noodles from around the country.