Matsue City

Shimane
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The prefectural capital of Shimane, known as the "City of Water." Centered around the National Treasure Matsue Castle, the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town remains strong today. The "Horikawa Sightseeing Boat," which tours the moats flowing like a net through the city in a small boat, is the highlight of Matsue tourism. It is also famous as the city loved by Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), where you can rediscover the beauty of Japan from a Western perspective. The beauty of Lake Shinji dyed by the sunset is beyond words, and the refined atmosphere with its living culture of Japanese sweets and tea is also charming. It is one of Japan's most beautiful cultural cities, where history, culture, and nature harmonize perfectly.

Matsue City

Favorite

DISCOVER ANOTHER JAPAN SAN‘IN、IZUMO ＆ MATSUE　～古きよき時代の日本の風景、出雲＆松江～

DISCOVER ANOTHER JAPAN SAN‘IN、IZUMO ＆ MATSUE　～古きよき時代の日本の風景、出雲＆松江～

San'in Inbound Tourism Organization

【美肌県しまね】出雲市・松江市を旅する「#ご縁を結ぶ美肌女子旅」

【美肌県しまね】出雲市・松江市を旅する「#ご縁を結ぶ美肌女子旅」

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

松江の町並み＠島根県観光連盟

松江の町並み＠島根県観光連盟

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

うるおい研究室 traveldiary #松江

うるおい研究室 traveldiary #松江

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

Boat Ride on a "Kotatsu-bune" in Matsue

Boat Ride on a "Kotatsu-bune" in Matsue

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

Koinobori in the Yakumo Countryside (4K)

Koinobori in the Yakumo Countryside (4K)

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

Morning walk around Matsue City- Virtual Tour

Morning walk around Matsue City- Virtual Tour

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

The House of Drying Persimmons in the Countryside of Matsue.

The House of Drying Persimmons in the Countryside of Matsue.

Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation

Matsue City

Address: 1F, 36 Chidori-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane
Website: https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/
Operator: Matsue Tourism Association

Matsue City Spots List

Katsurashima Island
Chorakuen
Matsue New Urban Hotel
Eshima Ohashi Bridge
Naniwa Issui
Matsue Castle
Mihonoseki Lighthouse
Mihokan Main Building
Aoishidatami Street
Kounkaku
Karakoro Square
Yakumo Kayabuki Center
Lake Shinji Sunset Spot
Matsue Horan-enya Memorial Hall
Lake Shinji
Tamatsukuri Onsen
Tamatsukuriyu Shrine
Fuu Shrine
Mihonoseki
Yaegaki Shrine
Yushien Garden
Enishizuku Umbrella Sky
Gessho-ji Temple
Samurai Residence

Katsurashima Island

Katsurashima Island

A small, land-connected island located just off Kaga Port in Matsue City. It's popular for its dynamic rocky areas with traces of volcanic activity and highly transparent sea, making it an ideal spot for easy island exploration. With well-maintained promenades, you can observe uniquely shaped rocks and caves created by wave erosion, as well as seasonal coastal plants while feeling the sea breeze. In summer, it buzzes with people enjoying camping and swimming, and snorkeling offers a close view of the Sea of Japan's rich ecosystem. Although only about 30 minutes by car from central Matsue, it is a hidden...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Chorakuen

A long-established inn in Tamatsukuri Onsen boasting over 120 years of history. Its greatest pride is the "Ryugu-no-yu," one of Japan's largest mixed-gender open-air baths covering 120 tsubo (approx. 400m²). Since guests wear dedicated bathing suits, couples and families can enjoy the vast, garden-like bath together. The 10,000-tsubo strolling Japanese garden shows pinnacle beauty each season, and walking through it feels like your soul is being washed. Despite its high prestige—having hosted members of the Imperial Family—a warm "Omotenashi" spirit lives on. It is a place continuously chosen by guests from all over the world who want to experience both...

Shimane
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Matsue New Urban Hotel

Matsue New Urban Hotel

A hotel boasting an excellent location for sightseeing in the City of Water, Matsue, standing on the shores of Lake Shinji. The greatest attraction is the panorama of Lake Shinji viewed from the observation hot spring bath on the top floor. Especially at dusk, bathing while watching the lake surface turn madder red and distant mountains become silhouettes is an unparalleled luxury. Matsue Castle and the Prefectural Art Museum are within walking distance, making it very convenient as a base for city walks. The breakfast buffet utilizing local ingredients is also popular, combining the convenience of a business hotel with...

Shimane
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Eshima Ohashi Bridge

Eshima Ohashi Bridge

A massive bridge connecting Matsue City and Sakaiminato City, with a total length of about 1.7km. It became world-famous on SNS as the "Eshima Ohashi Steep Slope." When photographed from a specific angle with a telephoto lens, it creates a visual surprise as if it were a vertical cliff. In reality, it is accessible to pedestrians, and the top offers a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Shinji, Nakaumi, and the famous Mt. Daisen. The contrast between the giant silhouette—a masterpiece of architectural technology—and the surrounding calm waters is very photogenic. It is highly popular for travelers wanting to capture the...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Naniwa Issui

A high-quality hot spring inn on the shores of Lake Shinji in Matsue City, where all rooms offer a lake view. Its core philosophy is "accessible design for all," ensuring guests of all ages, including wheelchair users, can enjoy a luxurious stay comfortably. Especially from rooms with open-air baths, you can exclusively enjoy the ever-changing beauty of Lake Shinji; bathing while watching the sunset dye the water surface is an experience of a lifetime. With delicate Japanese cuisine focusing on local production and consumption and refined hospitality unique to Matsue, it is a famous inn suitable for those wanting to...

Shimane
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Matsue Castle

Completed in 1611, this National Treasure is the only castle in San'in with its original keep. Known as "Chidori Castle" for its black-clad exterior, it features a rugged, powerful structure designed for actual combat. Inside, you can see 17th-century engineering like massive pillars and wells for sieges. The top floor offers views of Matsue and Lake Shinji. Touring the surrounding moats by boat allows you to enjoy the functional and artistic beauty of the fortress.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mihonoseki Lighthouse

Mihonoseki Lighthouse

A beautiful stone lighthouse standing on a cliff at the eastern tip of the Shimane Peninsula. Lighted in 1898, it’s among the "100 Historic Lighthouses of the World." The former lighthouse keeper's residence is now a French restaurant. The panorama of the deep blue Sea of Japan is breathtaking, offering views of the Oki Islands and Mt. Daisen on clear days. It's a perfect spot for travelers who want to enjoy the harmony of Meiji-era heritage and majestic nature.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mihokan Main Building

Mihokan Main Building

A historic inn founded in 1905, designated as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Its heavy wooden architecture features an atrium-like hall, exquisite carvings, and antique furnishings. Once visited by literary masters, it’s like a "living history museum." At night, the illuminated interior creates a mystical atmosphere. It’s a precious space in the sacred town of Mihonoseki where you can firsthand experience Japanese architectural beauty and the essence of "Omotenashi."

Shimane
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Aoishidatami Street

Aoishidatami Street

A small alley from the Edo period connecting Miho Shrine to the port. It’s named for the blue glow of the stones when wet by rain. Once a bustling stop for Kitamaebune trading ships, the street remains lined with old soy sauce storehouses and inns. The sound of stepping on the stones and the distant music from the shrine evoke a mysterious nostalgia. These nostalgic scenes are perfect for photography, offering a deep, rustic atmosphere different from Matsue’s refined style.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kounkaku

A magnificent Meiji-era Western-style building in Matsue Jozan Park. Built as an accommodation for Emperor Meiji's visit, every detail is lavishly decorated. The contrast between pale green outer walls and white window frames is beautiful. Inside, luxurious furniture and documents are displayed. From the second-floor balcony, you can overlook the greenery around Matsue Castle, experiencing the Meiji "Enlightenment" atmosphere where a Western hall coexists with a Japanese castle. A calm cafe inside offers a leisurely tea time.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Karakoro Square

Karakoro Square

A retro-modern square near the Horikawa River in Matsue. Centered around "Karakoro Art Studio," a renovated bank building, it’s a relaxation spot for citizens and tourists. Workshops for making Japanese sweets or accessories allow you to easily experience Japan’s "handmade culture." During the rainy season, it becomes a base for the "Enishizuku Umbrella Sky." With stylish cafes and restaurants nearby, it’s a popular spot to enjoy shopping and cultural experiences while feeling the calm air of Matsue, the City of Water.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yakumo Kayabuki Center

Yakumo Kayabuki Center

Located in the Yakumo area of Matsue, this exchange facility utilizes a magnificent thatched-roof traditional house. You can see traditional Japanese farmhouse architecture up close, with thick beams and a hearth (Irori) creating a nostalgic, warm space. You can experience "Japanese rural life" through buckwheat noodle making and local cuisine while interacting with locals. It offers a rustic, luxurious time not found in urban tourist areas, providing heartwarming special memories for travelers wanting to touch the original landscapes of Japan.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Lake Shinji Sunset Spot

Lake Shinji Sunset Spot

A designated viewing space on the shores of Lake Shinji for enjoying the sunset. From here, you can see the small "Yomegashima Island" directly in front, watching it and the sky transform into mystical silhouettes as the sun nears the horizon. It's especially popular with photographers, and there are guideboards to predict the sun's position. This dramatic natural show is one of Shimane's most moving experiences.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Matsue Horan-enya Memorial Hall

Matsue Horan-enya Memorial Hall

A museum where you can experience the excitement of "Horan-enya," one of Japan's three major boat festivals, held only once every 10 years in Matsue. Through the display of an actual, brilliantly decorated "Kaidenma-sen" boat and powerful video footage, you can learn in detail about the 400-year history and the passion of the locals. The gorgeous costumes and decorations have high artistic value, showing how much Matsue has cherished water and tradition. It is a spot that stimulates cultural curiosity, allowing you to touch the heat and beauty of Japanese traditional performing arts without waiting for the next festival.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Lake Shinji

A beautiful lake spanning Matsue and Izumo cities, the 7th largest in Japan. It is a "brackish water lake" where fresh and salt water mix, and it is a treasure trove of rich ingredients called the "Seven Delicacies of Lake Shinji," including Shijimi clams. The greatest attraction is the "beauty of the sunset," selected as one of the 100 best sunsets in Japan. The silhouette of Yomegashima Island floating on the lake and the sight of the sky turning madder red is a dramatic scene symbolizing Shimane, the land of mythology. You can refresh your mind and body while feeling...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tamatsukuri Onsen

Tamatsukuri Onsen

A hot spring resort with a history that is among the oldest in Japan, recorded even in documents from the Nara period. The water here is famous as "water for beautiful skin," loved by travelers from all over the world who say their skin becomes moist after just one soak. Along the Tamayu River flowing through the center of the town, there are foot baths and the "Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine," a power spot that grants wishes, making it perfect for strolling in a yukata. It has a history of flourishing in the making of Magatama (comma-shaped beads), and Magatama ornaments like...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Food
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tamatsukuriyu Shrine

Tamatsukuriyu Shrine

A shrine located at the back of Tamatsukuri Onsen, famous for its "Washing Stone" which possesses mystical powers. There is a natural stone called the "Wishing Stone" that has been passed down in the precincts since ancient times, and it is said that your wish will come true by touching the "Fulfillment Stone" (received at the shrine office) to this wishing stone and praying. This mystical prayer experience is very popular with both domestic and international travelers, especially because you can create your own original lucky charm. Away from the bustle of the hot spring street, it is a place...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Fuu Shrine

A historic shrine enveloped in silence, located in the Tamayu area of Matsue City. It is an ancient shrine recorded in the "Izumo-no-kuni Fudoki" (Ancient Records of Izumo Province) and has protected this area since long ago. The wooden shrine buildings, in harmony with the surrounding lush green nature, may not have gaudy decorations, but they allow you to feel the inherent "simple beauty and majesty" of Japanese shrines. With few visitors, the precincts where you only hear birds chirping and the sound of the wind are ideal for quiet meditation away from the bustle of the city or for...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Mihonoseki

Located at the eastern tip of the Shimane Peninsula, this is a port town that has flourished around Miho Shrine, the head shrine of all "Ebisu-sama" shrines. The landscape of old inns and private houses standing in the narrow land between the sea and the mountains evokes a travel mood like a movie set. Walking along the "Aoishidatami Street," which retains traces of the Edo period, you can experience a mysterious feeling as if time has stopped, accompanied by the sounds of musical instruments from Miho Shrine heard from somewhere. In addition to fresh seafood, it offers beautiful sea-facing views...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yaegaki Shrine

A sacred place for matchmaking, famous alongside Izumo Taisha. It is said to be the place where Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-hime held Japan's first wedding ceremony. The top attraction is the "Mirror Pond" located in the back of the precincts. The "Matchmaking Divination," where you place a coin on a piece of Japanese paper to float on the pond and divine the marriage by the time and place it sinks, is very popular with domestic and international travelers. The atmosphere of the pond surrounded by a quiet forest is very mystical, allowing you to feel the world of mythology firsthand. It...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yushien Garden

A vast pond-strolling Japanese garden located on Daikonshima Island in Nakaumi, Matsue City. It is world-famous as a production area for "Peonies" (Botan), and you can enjoy beautiful large peonies all year round. Especially in early summer, the event where tens of thousands of peony flowers cover the entire surface of the garden's pond boasts an unbelievable beauty of color. It shows the peak of landscape gardening beauty in every season, such as autumn leaves and winter illuminations. Reflecting Matsue's tea culture, you can spend a luxurious time tasting authentic matcha or ginseng tea while viewing the garden. It is...

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Enishizuku Umbrella Sky

Enishizuku Umbrella Sky

A photogenic event held in the central area of Matsue City around Karakoro Square during the rainy season. Matsue is known as a city where "rain brings connections (En)." The colorful "Umbrella Sky" filling the sky creates a beauty that is perfect for social media. Walking under the colorful umbrellas while listening to the sound of rain will turn a gloomy rainy day into a special memory. It's a modern popular spot where you can enjoy Matsue's unique heartwarming scenery and "rainy emotions."

Shimane
Sightseeing
Activities
Summer

Gessho-ji Temple

Gessho-ji Temple

A peaceful temple serving as the family temple of the Matsue Matsudaira clan. Its silent grounds house ornate mausoleums and a famous giant stone turtle, said to come alive at night. In early summer, the temple is filled with hydrangeas, earning it the name "Hydrangea Temple of San'in." You can also enjoy matcha in a tea room while viewing the beautiful garden.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Samurai Residence

Samurai Residence

A restored mid-ranking samurai residence from the Edo period located near Matsue Castle. You can see how samurai lived, with displays of sword racks and formal gardens. The surrounding street remains historically preserved with black-plastered walls and ancient pines. It is a must-visit for history fans wanting to understand the samurai spirit and disciplined lifestyle.

Shimane
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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