Overview of Shimane Prefectureand list of its municipalities

1．Matsue
Matsue (Japanese: 松江市, Hepburn: Matsue-shi) is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. The city has an estimated population of 202,008 (February 1, 2021) following the merger with Higashiizumo from Yatsuka District. Matsue is located at the northernmost point of Shimane Prefecture, between Lake Shinji and Nakaumi on the banks of the Ohashi River connecting the two lakes, though the city proper reaches the Sea of Japan coast. Matsue is the center of the Lake Shinji-Nakaumi metropolitan area, and with a population of approximately 600,000 is the second largest on the Sea of Japan coast after Niigata and Greater Kanazawa. Matsue is home to the Tokugawa-era Matsue Castle, one of the last surviving feudal castles in Japan.
Population:200,520 size of the Municipality:572.99km2
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2．Hamada, Shimane
Hamada (浜田市, Hamada-shi) is a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It is the third largest city in the prefecture and is located at the southwestern end of the prefecture. It is a coastal city on the Sea of Japan and possesses beautiful white sand beaches, which make the city a popular destination for local tourists in the summer. Hamada is a small city around 1 hour 40 minutes by expressway to Hiroshima. The city was founded on November 3, 1940. On October 1, 2005, the towns of Asahi, Kanagi and Misumi, and the village of Yasaka (all from Naka District) were merged into Hamada. Therefore, Naka District was dissolved as a result of this merger. As of March 2017, Hamada City has an estimated population of 57,142, with roughly 43,000 people living in the coastal urban 'city' area. The prefectural university (The University of Shimane) is located in Hamada, as is the Institute for Northeast Asian Research. Hamada is one of the few cities in the region to possess a heavy tonnage shipping port. The Hamada commercial port can accept vessels up to a maximum of 50,000 tonnes deadweight (DWT).1
Population:52,557 size of the Municipality:690.68km2
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3．Izumo, Shimane
Izumo (出雲市, Izumo-shi) is a city in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Izumo is known for Izumo soba noodles and the Izumo-taisha Shinto shrine.
Population:171,949 size of the Municipality:624.36km2
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4．Masuda, Shimane
Masuda (益田市, Masuda-shi) is a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on August 1, 1952. As of December 2021, the city has a population of 44,976. As of December 2019, the city has a population of 46,209. As of March 2017, the city has a population of 46,892 and a population density of 64 persons per km². The total area is 733.16 km². At the end of September 2010, the city had a population of 51,118. At the end of August 2009, the city had a population of 51,599. At the end of September 2008, the city had a population of 52,022. On November 1, 2004, the towns of Mito and Hikimi (both from Mino District) were merged into Masuda. Therefore, Mino District was dissolved as a result of this merger. Iwami Airport is located in Masuda.
Population:43,614 size of the Municipality:733.19km2
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5．Ōda, Shimane
Ōda (大田市, Ōda-shi) is a city located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The city has a total area of 436.11 km2. On March 1, 2017, the city's population was estimated at 34,354, giving a population density of 79 persons per km2. The city was founded on January 1, 1954. Ōda is home to the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a World Heritage Site.
Population:31,676 size of the Municipality:435.71km2
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6．Yasugi, Shimane
Yasugi (安来市, Yasugi-shi) is a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of March 1, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 38,875 and a population density of 92 persons per km². The total area is 420.97 km2 (162.54 sq mi).
Population:35,574 size of the Municipality:420.93km2
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7．Gōtsu, Shimane
Gōtsu (江津市, Gōtsu-shi) is a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It is the smallest and least populous city in Shimane Prefecture. The city was founded on April 1, 1954. As of 2017, the city has an estimated population of 24,009 and a population density of 89 persons per km². The total area is 158.41 km². The city's economy is primarily focused on commerce.
Population:21,944 size of the Municipality:268.24km2
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8．Unnan
Unnan (雲南市, Unnan-shi) is a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The city belonged to Ohara District, which dissolved in 2004 after Unnan was established. The modern city of Unnan was established on November 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns of Daitō, Kamo, and Kisuki (all from Ōhara District), the towns of Mitoya and Kakeya, and the village of Yoshida (all from Iishi District). The city of Unnan has 6 wards which used to be the town's of Daitō, Kamo, Kisuki, Mitoya and Kakeya, and the village of Yoshida As of March 1, 2017, the city had an estimated population of 38,281, and population density of 69 persons per km2. The total area is 553.4 km2 (213.7 sq mi). Tourist attractions in or near Unnan include Lake Shinji, Ushio Hot Springs, Matsue Shinji Furusato Forest Park, Ohara Dam, Okuizumoyumura Hot Springs, Okuizumotane Natural Museum, Hikawabijin Hot Spring, Akagawahotaru Park, Suga Shrine, Shimaneken Akashimidorigaoka Park, Kisuki Health Forest, Sajiroonsen Choja Hot Spring, Ancient Iron Kayokan, Historical Museum of Iron. Neighbouring cities includes Izumo, Matsue (capital) and Oda, The closest airport to Unnan is Izumo Airport which serves the city of Izumo and the capital city of Matsue.
Population:34,488 size of the Municipality:553.18km2
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9．Okuizumo
Okuizumo (奥出雲町, Okuizumo-chō) is a town located in Nita District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It was formed on March 31, 2005 from the merger of the towns of Nita and Yokota. As of March 1, 2017, the town has a population of 12,655 and a density of 34 persons per km². The area is 368.06 km².
Population:11,243 size of the Municipality:368.01km2
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10．Iinan, Shimane
Iinan (飯南町, Iinan-chō) is a town located in Iishi District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It was formed on January 1, 2005 from the merger of the towns of Tonbara and Akagi, both from Iishi District. As of March 1, 2017 the town has a population of 4,908 and a density of 20 persons per km². The area is 242.84 km².
Population:4,391 size of the Municipality:242.88km2
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11．Kawamoto, Shimane
Kawamoto (川本町, Kawamoto-machi) is a town located in Ōchi District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of 2017, the town has an estimated population of 3,331 and a density of 31 persons per km². The total area is 106.39 km².
Population:3,105 size of the Municipality:106.43km2
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12．Misato, Shimane
Misato (美郷町, Misato-chō) is a town located in Ōchi District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan.It was formed on October 1, 2004 from the merger of the village of Daiwa and the town of Ōchi. As of March 1, 2017 the town has a population of 4,712 and a density of 17 persons per km². The area is 282.92 km². Local sports facilities include Golden Utopia gym and Ochi Canoe Village. There are two junior high schools and two elementary schools in Misato.
Population:4,058 size of the Municipality:282.92km2
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13．Ōnan, Shimane
Onan (邑南町, Ōnan-chō) is a town located in Ōchi District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It is about an hour's drive north of Hiroshima. It was formed on October 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns of Iwami, Mizuho, and the village of Hasumi. As of March 1, 2017, the town has a population of 10,922 and a density of 26 persons per km2. The area is 419.29 km2. Iwami Airport in nearby Masuda, Hiroshima Airport and Izumo Airport serve the town.
Population:9,721 size of the Municipality:419.29km2
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14．Tsuwano, Shimane
Tsuwano (津和野町, Tsuwano-chō) is a town located in Kanoashi District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of March 2017, the town has an estimated population of 7,478 and a density of 25.0 persons per km². The total area is 307.09 km².
Population:6,553 size of the Municipality:307.03km2
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15．Yoshika, Shimane
Yoshika (吉賀町, Yoshika-chō) is a town located in Kanoashi District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It was formed on October 1, 2005 from the merger of the town of Muikaichi, and the village of Kakinoki, both from Kanoashi District. As of March 1, 2017 the town has a population of 6,231 and a density of 19 persons per km². The area is 336.29 km².
Population:5,728 size of the Municipality:336.50km2
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16．Ama, Shimane
Ama (海士町, Ama-chō) is a town located on Nakanoshima, in Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of March 2017, the town had an estimated population of 2,293 and a population density of 68 persons per km². The total area was 33.50 km2 (13 sq mi).
Population:2,277 size of the Municipality:33.44km2
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17．Nishinoshima, Shimane
Nishinoshima (西ノ島町, Nishinoshima-chō) is a town located on the island of Nishinoshima, in Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2013, the town had an estimated population of 2,923 and a population density of 52 persons per km². The total area was 55.98 km2 (22 sq mi).
Population:2,648 size of the Municipality:55.96km2
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18．Chibu, Shimane
Chibu (知夫村, Chibu-mura, Chibu-son) is a village located on Chiburijima (知夫里島) in the Dōzen group of islands in the Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Chibu is the only village remaining in Shimane Prefecture as of October 1, 2005. As of Japan's 2010 census, the village has a population of 657 people, constituting 326 households, and a population density of about 48 persons per km². This is a decrease of 68 people (9.4%) from the previous census conducted in 2005. A population estimate from March 2011 placed Chibu's population at 656 people, 334 men and 322 women.
Population:607 size of the Municipality:13.70km2
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19．Okinoshima, Shimane
Okinoshima (隠岐の島町, Okinoshima-chō) is a town located on Dōgo, in Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2013, the town had an estimated population of 14,849 and a population density of 61.1 persons per km2. The total area was 242.95 km2.
Population:13,101 size of the Municipality:242.82km2
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Municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture