Matsue

Matsue is close to Lake Shinji, and spring and autumn are better suited to exploring on foot.

Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture is often called the “City of Water.” The city has an unhurried pace and retains a strong sense of history. It has both a National Treasure castle and lakeside sunset views, making it a good place for a slow 1–2 day visit. Below is a sample Matsue travel plan.

Classic Two-Day Itinerary

• Day 1 Castle Town and City of Water Atmosphere: In the morning, visit the Adachi Museum of Art, known for its garden landscapes. In the afternoon, arrive in Matsue and visit National Treasure Matsue Castle, then stroll through the Shiomi Nawate samurai district. In the evening, take a Horikawa sightseeing boat cruise; at night, you can try Izumo soba or yakiniku in the city center.

• Day 2 Art and a Natural Sunset: In the morning, visit the Shimane Art Museum. In the afternoon, walk around the Lake Shinji area and watch one of Japan’s top 100 beautiful sunsets from a free observation spot. In the evening, you can take a retro train to nearby Izumo City, or return to Osaka/Tokyo.

Main Sights

Matsue’s attractions are fairly concentrated. Many can be reached on foot, or by taking the loop bus. Here are the main sights:

• Adachi Museum of Art: This museum has been rated Japan’s top art museum for many years and is famous for its six major gardens, including a dry landscape garden and moss garden. The gardens show different scenery depending on the viewing angle, with an overall atmosphere that is quiet and full of Zen feeling. Foreign visitors can buy discounted tickets with a passport.

• Matsue Castle: Matsue Castle is one of Japan’s 12 original castle keeps and one of the five castles designated as National Treasures. Its black keep has a calm, striking appearance, and from the top you can look out over Matsue city and the moat. You may want to buy a combined ticket that includes the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and the former samurai residence.

• Horikawa Sightseeing Boat: Traditional small boats travel along the moat around Matsue Castle, with the full route taking about 50 minutes. Along the way, you can see riverside willow trees, old streetscapes, and historic buildings up close. It is one of the most representative ways to experience Matsue’s “City of Water” character.

• Shimane Art Museum: The museum is located on the shore of Lake Shinji, and the building itself is also worth seeing. The first-floor lobby is free to enter and is one of the free viewpoints for watching the Lake Shinji sunset. The museum also houses several works of modern Japanese art.

Local Food and Recommended Restaurants

When traveling in Shimane Prefecture, consider adding Izumo soba and local seafood to your meal plans:

• Yakumo-an: This is a long-established Izumo soba restaurant with an old-fashioned setting. You can try its distinctive layered way of eating soba. The noodles have a firm texture, the dipping broth is rich, and the overall atmosphere is traditional Japanese.
• Gyuma Tonkei Yakiniku Restaurant: The restaurant’s name is quite memorable, and it is a local yakiniku spot. The beef is relatively reasonably priced and tastes good. It also accepts Alipay and WeChat Pay, making it suitable for a meal with friends.
• Shijimi Ramen: Located inside the shopping complex next to JR Matsue Station, this shop specializes in distinctive ramen. You can order fish cake with soda or beer. The clam ramen broth has a clear savory flavor, making it a good simple meal during your trip.

Accommodation and Transportation Tips

• Accommodation: If you want to experience a Japanese-style hot spring, consider Onyado Nono Matsue, which has an open-air bath and sauna on the top floor, and also offers free late-night ramen and breakfast yogurt. If convenience is more important, hotels near JR Matsue Station are also a good choice, with many sights reachable on foot.
• Long-distance transport: From Osaka or Tokyo to Matsue, you can take a JR limited express train, which takes about 3–4 hours. You can also buy a discounted highway bus ticket for foreign visitors, costing about 2,000 yen with a passport, departing from boarding point No. 9 at Matsue Station.
• Local transport: Matsue’s city-center attractions are relatively close together, and many areas can be covered on foot. You can also take the loop bus and consider buying a one-day pass. From Yonago or Izumo to Matsue, JR trains are convenient.

Practical Tips

• What to wear: The stairs inside Matsue Castle are very steep. Avoid wearing a long skirt that restricts movement, as it may make going up and down difficult or increase the risk of accidents.
• Bus times: Some buses in Matsue run at long intervals, sometimes only once an hour. If you are going to the museum or lakeside to watch the sunset, check the timetable in advance to avoid missing the last bus.
• Shuttle bus planning: When visiting the Adachi Museum of Art, pay attention to the timetable for the free shuttle bus from Yasugi Station. After buying your ticket, you need to pick up a return shuttle ticket. It is best to allow 2–3 hours for the visit and plan ahead to connect with your return JR train.