Matsue松江
Matsue and Izumo guide
Matsue Castle with its original keep, a castle town of moats and samurai houses, and sunsets over Lake Shinji. Izumo Taisha, the shrine of good matches, is a train ride away.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Matsue Castle
A National Treasure castle whose keep survives from the early 1600s. The top floor looks over the city and Lake Shinji.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy dayPartly step-free
Bus · About 20 min from Matsue ・ About 10 minutes by Lake Line or other buses ・ 1.7km
- 2
Izumo Taisha Shrine
An ancient shrine from Japan's oldest myths, known for matchmaking. It has a pine-lined approach and a hall hung with a huge straw rope.
Introduced by JNTO
Named as a sight in Shimane, one of the lesser-known prefectures suggested for 2027. Source: JNTO (US press release), Where to Go in 2027: Japan Edition
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 1.5 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 90 min from Matsue ・ Ichibata Railway to Izumo Taisha-mae, or JR to Izumoshi Station and about 25 minutes by bus ・ 35km
- 3
Shiomi Nawate and the Lafcadio Hearn Museum
A street of samurai houses along the moat, with the former home of writer Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) and a museum about him.
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 60 minPartly paid
Bus · About 25 min from Matsue ・ Lake Line bus to Koizumi Yakumo Kinenkan-mae ・ 2.0km
- 4
Horikawa moat boat tour
A small boat circles the castle moats. The roof is lowered under low bridges, so you duck. In winter the boats have heated tables.
- Activities
- History & buildings
- Views
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy day
Bus · About 25 min from Matsue ・ Lake Line bus to the Fureai Hiroba boarding point. There is another pier by the castle's main gate ・ 2.3km
- 5
Shimane Art Museum and the Lake Shinji sunset
A museum on the lakeshore. The shore just to the south is the well-known place to watch the sun set behind tiny Yomegashima island.
- Views
- Museums
about 60 minPartly paidWheelchair & stroller friendly
Walk · About 15 min from Matsue ・ 1.1km
- 6
Adachi Museum of Art
A museum known for paintings by Yokoyama Taikan and a large, immaculate Japanese garden, which you view through the windows.
Introduced by JNTO
Named as a sight in Shimane, one of the lesser-known prefectures suggested for 2027. Source: JNTO (US press release), Where to Go in 2027: Japan Edition
- Museums
- Nature
about 2 hrPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 60 min from Matsue ・ JR to Yasugi Station, then about 20 minutes by shuttle bus ・ 15km
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Photo and data credits
Lake Shinji and Yomegashima Island in the sunset glow MaedaAkihiko (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The black keep of Matsue Castle among green trees 663highland (CC BY 2.5) / The worship hall of Izumo Taisha with its great straw rope Saigen Jiro (CC0) / Pine trees and samurai house walls along Shiomi Nawate 663highland (CC BY 2.5) / Horikawa tour boats moored below the castle's stone walls Asturio Cantabrio (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Calm Lake Shinji and Yomegashima Island after sunset yogiyogi (CC BY 4.0) / White gravel, pines and borrowed mountain view at the Adachi Museum garden 663highland (CC BY 2.5). Cropped and resized.
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Matsue
Facilities & features
- Coin lockers and baggage storage
- Elevators available (the route may be longer)
- Typical transfer time: about 4 min
Lines from here
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