2025 Matsue Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Introducing must-visit tourist spots in Shimane with breathtaking views✍🏻 (All photos are from May 2024) ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ This is "Yushien" in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture I went to see both the pink "30,000 Pond Peony" held every Golden Week and the "Golden Pond Peony" that can only be seen on the last two days🌼 The peonies floating in the pond are really beautiful🥺✨ They are carefully placed by hand one by one💭 They turn yellow for the last two days, but by the next morning they have turned completely yellow...! It must be really hard to change from pink to yellow in one night...🥹 Thank you, craftsmen🙏 ＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿ 🌸30,000 pond peonies (2024) April 29th (Monday, holiday) - May 4th (Saturday, holiday) 🌼Yellow Garden Festival (Golden pond peonies) May 5th (Sunday) and 6th (Monday) ＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿　＿ ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ✍🏻 ᴛʀɪᴘ ᴛɪᴘs ˊ˗ From the window seats at the cafe, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the view at your leisure. Recommended 🥹✨ If it's full, you have to write your name and wait, but it's nice to be able to wait with a reserved window seat 💫 ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ✍🏻 ɪɴғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (As of October 2024) Yushien Garden 📍Address: 1260-2 Namiiri, Yatsuka-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture 🚐Parking: Available ⏰Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing) 🎫Admission fee: 1,400 yen for adults, 700 yen for elementary, junior high, and high school students ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ #Domestic travel #Shimane trip #Shimane sightseeing #tripDomestic travel

This shrine has a history of over 1,300 years, and was recorded in the Izumo Fudoki. The gods of hot springs and magatama are enshrined here, and there is a wishing stone in the precincts, which is very popular as it grants wishes when used in combination with a wishing stone (amulet). There is free parking, and you can walk to the Koi Kanai Bridge and the foot baths by the river, making it a recommended spot for safe car trips. ✱----------------------------------------------- [Name] Tamasakuyu Shrine [Location] 508 Tamazukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture [Access] About 5 minutes by car from JR Tamazukuri Onsen Station [Visiting hours] Free to stroll around 24 hours [Parking] Available (free) Visit date: September 2024 -----------------------------------------------✱ #Car trip #Matsue #Shimane sightseeing #Shimane #Tamazukuri Onsen #Visiting #Shrine #100 Travel Styles #Domestic travel #Tourism

This is a sacred well in Tamatsukuri Onsen. It has long been called "Yuaka no Ido" and water was pumped up to offer to the Yuyakushido. Although it is a hot spring town, carp used to swim in the river. It is no longer in use as a well, but it has been introduced as a tourist spot that combines carp and love. ✱----------------------------------------------- [Name] Yuaka no Ido (Koirai Ido) [Location] Tamatsukuri Onsen, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture Visit date: June 2024 -----------------------------------------------✱ #Solo travel #Tamatsukuri Onsen #Morning activity #Nature #Shimane tourism #Tamatsukuri #Matsue

🌟 [Tamasakuyu Shrine] 🌟 I had a heartwarming experience at Tamasakuyu Shrine in Tamasaku Onsen ✨ Here, you can make a handmade amulet by putting your wish into a stone ☺️ The steps for worshiping and making an amulet are as follows: 1. Worship: First, worship at Tamasakuyu Shrine and purify your heart 🙏. Pass through the torii gate, purify your hands and mouth at the chozuya (purification fountain), then proceed to the main shrine and make the usual worship😌 2. Making an amulet: - Selecting a stone: Pay 600 yen at the shrine office and receive a stone that will come true - Writing a wish: Write your wish on a piece of paper✍️ - Finishing: Cleanse the stone, place the stone against Yuyamanushi no Okami and put your wish into the stone You can take the stone with your wish home as it is and make it your own amulet✨ [Access] Tamasakuyu Shrine is located near Tamazukuri Onsen, and can be accessed by bus or car from Izumo City. Be sure to visit while strolling around the hot spring town🌸. #Tamasakuyu Shrine #handmade amulet #wish #put a wish into a stone #hot spring town #worship #Japanese shrine #travel #Tamazukuri Onsen #Shimane travel #Shimane sightseeing #japan #0 yen travel

🍽️ Shimane's exquisite gourmet spot "Ajidokoro Matsuya" If you visit Shimane Prefecture, you can't miss "Ajidokoro Matsuya," where you can eat delicious crab dishes and seafood. This restaurant's red snow crab set meal is very filling and excellent value for money! The set meal is filled with fresh red snow crab, and you're sure to be impressed by its deliciousness with just one bite 🦀✨ "Ajidokoro Matsuya" is famous as a popular restaurant that has a long line. I also went to write my name before the opening and decided to wait, but it was worth it! Even if there is a wait, it's all worth it the moment you eat the set meal 🧡 The red snow crab set meal comes with plenty of crab meat and a wide variety of side dishes, and it looks gorgeous. This dish highlights the sweetness and freshness of the crab, and you can enjoy the seafood of Shimane 🦀🧡 📍Address: 716 Moriyama, Mihonoseki-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane 690-1312 🕰Business hours: 11:00-14:30 / (Ends when sold out) We went to write our names at around 8am and toured the area until it opened 🧡 Budget: About 2,000-5,000 yen Please refer to the menu in the photo❣️ Enjoy the delicious red snow crab set meal at "Ajidokoro Matsuya" and enjoy the gourmet food of Shimane! #Ajidokoro Matsuya #Shimane gourmet #Red snow crab #Seafood set meal #Japan trip #Eating tour #Restaurant with a line #Gourmet food #Crab lover #Tottori trip #Tottori trip #0 yen trip

[patisserie J.KOWARI] is a chocolate specialty store! So they have a wide variety of chocolates Many of the cakes are made with chocolate Of course you can take out, but there is also a small eat-in space in the back The color of the plates is the same as the exterior of the store, which is stylish! The chocolate cake is rich and fragrant, so if you want to buy a chocolate cake, this is the place to go Opening hours Sunday 9:30-18:00 Monday-Saturday 9:30-19:00 23-3 Nakahara-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture #MatsueCafe #ShimaneTourism #ShimaneTrip

[cafe simai] is a cafe where you can eat weekly lunch plates and cakes There is a small parking lot, so they ask for carpooling They don't serve cakes on Mondays Takeout is also available, so it seems like it would be good to make a reservation for lunch and get takeout♪ There is only one type of lunch plate They also sell baked goods in the store The vegetables on the lunch plate were fresh and very delicious♪ Business hours Only open for lunch on Mondays Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-14:00 14:30-16:30 #ShimaneCafe #MatsueCafe #CafeHop

You can also get to Miho Shrine in Mihonoseki by using the community bus. Miho Shrine is the main shrine of Ebisu, and it is said that it is even better to visit both the shrine and Izumo Taisha Shrine. On the 7th of every month, you can get a limited number of golden sea bream charms on "Nanaka Ebisu". However, if there are a lot of people, a lottery will be held. Golden sea bream charms are awarded from 11:00 and 13:00. The lottery results are announced at 11:30 and 13:30. Normal awarding office from 8:30. Prayer from 8:30. 608 Mihonoseki, Mihonoseki-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane Prefecture #ShimaneTourism #MihoShrine #ShimaneTrip #ShrineTour

It's really close to the station, about 1-2 minutes walk from Matsue Station. Tokyu Hotel is divided into three brands: Tokyu Hotel → Tokyu Excel → Tokyu REI. Tokyu Excel is in the middle, but personally I feel that Excel is more stylish and newer than Tokyu Hotel. It's close to the station, the surrounding area is not crowded, and it's really calm, with many department stores, convenience stores, and restaurants. The room is spacious enough for one person. Above all, I couldn't hear the sound of the rain or the voices of people from other rooms, so I felt like there were no people around. If you're in Matsue, I also recommend Tokyu Excel Hotel. (As of June 2nd, Matsue Tokyu Excel Hotel is still only accepting national travel support on its official website or direct reservations.) #Matsue #Shimane Prefecture #Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu

Stayed at the popular inn "Naniwa Issui" in Matsue Shinjiko Onsen on a trip to Shimane♪ ✅Lake view from all rooms ✅Open-air baths in the rooms overlooking the lake are the best♨️ ✅Great hardware after renovation! ✅Full of free drink service🍺 ✅Exquisite cuisine using the bounty of Shimane in private rooms Easy access from Matsue city A great value-for-money inn with accommodation starting from 10,000 yen👍 #Open-air baths in the rooms #Hot spring inn #Resort hotel #Luxury hotel

20 minutes by bus from Matsue Station 🚌 Yaegaki Shrine, which has long been worshipped as the god of matchmaking ⛩️ Kagami-no-ike Pond is a 2-minute walk away. Purchase fortune-telling paper (100 yen) at the shrine office, float the fortune-telling paper in the Kagami-no-ike Pond, and put 10 yen or 100 yen on it. It is said that if it sinks quickly within 15 minutes, you will find a good match soon ✨ #Shimane Prefecture #Yaegaki Shrine #Kagami-no-ike Pond #Fortune-telling #Power Spot #Couple Camellia

If you visit Tamazukuri Onsen town, be sure to stop by Seiganji Temple! It's just a few minutes walk away. At Seiganji Temple, you'll find the "Oshiroi Jizo." Use the "Oshiroi" and "brush" on the bottom left of the Jizo to apply your skin powder while praying for beautiful skin✨ It's also effective to purchase prayer tablets for your face and body, and color the areas you want to heal with colored pencils and place them on the tablet! Near the entrance to Seiganji Temple, there was a sign that said "There are many beautiful women around here." Maybe it's the effect of the Jizo🤭 #Shimane Prefecture #Tamazukuri Onsen #Seiganji Temple #Oshiroi Jizo #Prayer for beauty

Matsue Castle was built on the shore of Lake Shinji and is said to be one of Japan's three great lake castles 🏯 The Horikawa Meguri is a small boat ride along the 3.7km long canal that surrounds Matsue Castle, which still remains from the time of its construction! The roof is lowered as you go under the bridge while listening to the boatman's explanation, so it's fun like an attraction 😊 It's a very pleasant boat trip of just under 50 minutes 🚣‍♂️ The castle tower of Matsue Castle was designated a national treasure in 2015 🥰 #MatsueCastle #Matsue #HorikawaMeguri

Matsue Castle is located near the Shimane Prefectural Office. It has a surviving castle tower and is a national treasure. The main point about castles across the country is whether they were built for the Shogunate or not, but this one was built for the Shogunate. The main point is whether the family name is Tokugawa or Matsudaira. It was quite a challenge to get inside the castle...! #tripmemory2022 #outdoor

After enjoying the Adachi Museum of Art, I took the train to Matsue Station. The Shimane Museum of Art was a little far away, but I walked there as a way to take a walk and practice for the marathon course. The works of artists with ties to the prefecture, as well as Dali and impressionist artists, were also on display. I was satisfied! I had lunch at a sushi restaurant next to the Adachi Museum of Art, and it was delicious. #tripmemory2022 #outdoor

#Overseas travel#Japanese travel#Japan Next to the samurai-yashiki-dori in Sakura, there is an ancient bamboo forest path called "Jackdaw Saka". Whenever a gust of wind blows, the rustling of bamboo leaves and the rattling of green bamboos... Walking on the bamboo forest path, you feel magical Refreshing and relaxing😆😆 A large piece of bamboo grows along both sides of the trail. It is dense and stretches straight upward, blocking the sky and light. The sunlight trying to pass through leaves a beautiful shadow of bamboo leaves on the ground📸️📸️ It must be a beautiful check-in point transportation It's about a 15-minute walk from JR "Sakura" Station

I went to Matsue, Shimane Prefecture to eat sushi. Speaking of Matsue, it's steamed sushi! So I had steamed sushi. It was very delicious. It wasn't too expensive, and I enjoyed it! The restaurant is surrounded by hot springs, so be sure to stop by for a meal after enjoying the hot springs! #ShimanePrefecture #Matsue #Sushi #SteamedSushi #HotSprings #HotelRoyalPark

I went to a bakery located about a 5-minute walk from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station in Shimane Prefecture's hot spring town. The interior was very stylish and cute, and I couldn't help but take photos. The bread wasn't too expensive either. If you're going to Matsue on a hot spring trip, be sure to stop by! #bread #matsue #hot spring #shimane #hotelroyalpark

I went to Matsue Castle in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Matsue Castle is one of only 12 castles in Japan with surviving castle towers. The surviving castle towers were built in or before the Edo period, and are special in that they have remained intact to this day. It was interesting to see the structure of the castle. There is also a hot spring town near Matsue Castle. Please take a trip to the hot springs and visit Matsue Castle! #Matsue #Shimane #MatsueCastle #HotSpring #hotelroyalpark

Tamatsukuri Onsen in Shimane This long-established inn, which can be enjoyed even on a day trip, was amazing The spectacular Japanese garden is overwhelming in scale It looks like you can enjoy seasonal plants as well Retro game center and famous coffee milk The skin-beautifying hot spring, which can accommodate 100 people at a time, was amazing #Hot spring #Luxury hotel #Shimane

#MatsueCastle Visited on December 14th. Matsue Castle is one of Japan's national treasure castles. It is the only castle in Japan that stands alongside Matsumoto, Inuyama, Hikone, and Himeji. If you climb up to the castle tower, you can see Lake Shinji, and since I visited around 4:30pm, I was able to enjoy the sunset-colored scenery. You can visit the castle tower for free.

I went to Izumo Taisha Shrine in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Jinji, where the gods are enshrined, had a very solemn atmosphere. It is also the starting point of the Izumo Ekiden! Next, I returned to Matsue City and went to Lake Shinji. It is pronounced Shinjiko. This is a famous spot for sunsets, and on this day many photographers were waiting with their cameras. There are also restaurants in the city where you can enjoy the seven foods found in Lake Shinji, known as the Seven Treasures of Lake Shinji. There were also many shells of clams, one of the seven treasures, lying on the ground! Lake Shinji is a truly beautiful spot for sunsets, so let's clear our minds at Izumo Taisha Shrine and prepare to be moved by the sunset! #Free Spot #Retro Streetscape

I stayed at Hoshino Resorts Kai Izumo in Tamatsukuri Onsen, Shimane Prefecture. It's located in Izumo, an area where many gods are worshipped, so of course you can enjoy the "beauty skin bath" that is said to be the bath of the gods in the spacious public bath and the open-air bath in the guest room. I was surprised by the gourmet food, which was better than I expected, such as seasonal Shimane foods such as blackthroat seaperch and clams, as well as sake and Japanese sweets! Hoshino Resorts Kai reflects the local culture in the food, so the meals are very enjoyable. I've never drunk so much sake in one day! I drank so much. Shimane is the birthplace of sake. It's a wonderful inn filled with the charm of Shimane Prefecture. #Hot spring #Staying at home #Hot spring trip#Accommodation experience

We went to Tamasakuyu Shrine in the Tamazukuri Onsen area, a hot spring spot in Shimane Prefecture. The wish stones that can be purchased at the shrine office are all different in color and shape, so you can make them your own unique amulets! The bags that you put the wish stones in are also colorful and cute. The fun part is not knowing what you'll get until you open them☺️ Place the wish stone against the wish stone in the shrine and send it power. May your wish come true✨ #shimane #shrine #hotspring #amulet

Songjiang City, a place where people are less beautiful, an intoxicating sunset located in Songjiang City, the capital of Shimane Prefecture in Japan, is definitely not a popular place. There are not many tourists, but it is a small beauty! Songjiang City with Tianshou Pavilion is one of the must-have places, overlooking the city view of Songjiang City! From Songjiang City, you can walk along the bridge to the Shimane Prefectural Museum of Art. It is not only a strong design, but also a beautiful place to watch the sunset! Transportation: Take JR to reach Songjiang Station! You can take a sightseeing bus in the city or walk on foot! Travel Tips: There are no restaurants and convenience stores around the location where you watch the sunset. Friends who want to wait for the sunset and are hungry remember to buy food and water! In addition, the evening before sunset is the best time to shoot backlit portraits, don't miss it!

Cycling from Fukuoka to Osaka along the northern coast of the Chūgoku region is an unforgettable adventure that blends the beauty of Japan’s seaside with the thrill of the open road. This roughly 700-kilometer journey winds through quiet fishing villages, scenic cliffs, and historic towns, offering a uniquely immersive experience far from the typical tourist trail. Starting in Fukuoka, you’re met with vibrant city energy and great local eats — a perfect send-off. As you head east, the coastal breeze accompanies you along the Sea of Japan, with routes often flanked by pine forests, rice paddies, and dramatic ocean views. The ride is peaceful, with long stretches of road where it's just you, your bike, and the sound of waves. One of the best parts of this ride is the changing scenery. You pass through small towns like Hagi, with its preserved samurai district, and Matsue, a charming castle town by a lake. In between, you’ll find cozy ryokan, hot springs tucked into hillsides, and quiet beaches perfect for a midday break. The slower pace lets you soak in local culture — from chatting with shopkeepers to catching a small festival or market along the way. While there are many climbs, especially through Shimane and Tottori’s more rugged areas, the effort is rewarded with thrilling descents and sweeping views. You’ll share roads with minimal traffic for most of the ride, and there’s a sense of freedom that comes from being so connected to the land. As you roll into the Osaka area, the contrast hits — from rural solitude to buzzing urban life. It’s a satisfying, almost surreal shift that caps the journey perfectly. For any cyclist who loves a good mix of nature, culture, and a bit of challenge, this route is pure joy — a coastal odyssey across Japan's lesser-seen heart.

Lake Shinji is the 7th largest lake in Japan. It is famous for its "Shinji-ko Shichin" (Seven Delicacies of Lake Shinji), which include shijimi clams, whitebait, bass, carp, eel, kuruma shrimp, and mochiko fish. Among these, the shijimi clams are a must-try, as Lake Shinji boasts the highest harvest of shijimi clams in all of Japan☝🏻. These clams are known for their plump and sweet flavor! For those who want to savor local dishes made with Lake Shinji's shijimi clams, a visit to the renowned restaurant Ajidokoro Shigeru in Matsue City is highly recommended. The restaurant offers only kaiseki set meals, which include a variety of dishes such as tempura, sashimi, hot pot, chawanmushi, and kamameshi. The shijimi clam kamameshi is the restaurant's signature dish, with the rice infused with the clams' rich and sweet flavor, creating an irresistible aroma! PS. The restaurant features private rooms exclusively and operates on a reservation-only basis.

#springwander An art museum on the shores of Lake Shinji with the theme of harmony with water. Designed to be integrated with the landscape, the building, which draws a gentle curve like a wave, has the image of "Nagisa" connecting the surface of the water and the earth. The collection covers a wide range of genres such as paintings, crafts, photography, and sculptures, among which there are more than 3,000 Japanese prints, including ukiyo-e, which is one of the largest in Japan. There are also many works with the theme of "water" in line with the theme of the museum, such as Courbet, Monet, and Hokusai. Paintings by local artists associated with Shimane, traditional crafts such as ceramics and lacquerwork are also enriched. In addition to collection exhibitions with themes, special exhibitions will also be held.