Matsue Trip Overview
This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Eastern Shimane!
Shimane Prefecture sits on the southwestern portion of Japan’s main island of Honshu, and is the perfect spot to visit if you’re looking for an off the beaten path travel experience. Often overlooked by visitors in favor of more well known destinations, the region has culture, nature and history by the bucketload – just without the massive crowds to battle!
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that’s best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours
Starts: Matsue, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Matsue Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Eastern Shimane!
Shimane Prefecture sits on the southwestern portion of Japan’s main island of Honshu, and is the perfect spot to visit if you’re looking for an off the beaten path travel experience. Often overlooked by visitors in favor of more well known destinations, the region has culture, nature and history by the bucketload – just without the massive crowds to battle!
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that’s best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Matsue Castle, 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue 690-0887 Shimane Prefecture
One of Shimane’s biggest drawcards has to be Matsue Castle. There are various beautiful castles scattered all across Japan, but many of those are restorations – the original structures were destroyed by fires or earthquakes, or demolished by the new Meiji government at the close of the feudal era. Matsue Castle dates back to the early 1600s, and is unique in that it still remains in its original form. For a small admission fee, you can climb up to the top level of the castle itself and get some fantastic views across the city – it’s worth every yen!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Izumo Grand Shrine, 195 Taishacho Kizukihigashi, Izumo 699-0701 Shimane Prefecture
If you’re after a significant shrine to visit, you can’t look past Izumo Taisha. Known as one of the oldest and the most important shrines in Japan, it’s a spot that people come to pray for love and good fortune. You’ll hear people clapping four times instead of the usual two when they pray here – it’s for the purpose of clapping once for themselves, and once for their current (or hopeful!) partners. The shrine also sells goshuin, a type of book used to collect stamps from shrines, which makes for a perfect souvenir to carry along throughout your journeys in Japan.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Adachi Museum of Art, 320 Furukawacho, Yasugi 692-0064 Shimane Prefecture
The Adachi Museum of Art features so much more than just displays of pottery, paintings and hanging scrolls – there are some downright incredible gardens here as well. They’re so well regarded that they win prizes year after year for being the best gardens in all of Japan. In addition to the displays of beautiful artwork and breathtaking nature, there are two charming teahouses on site, where you can enjoy some matcha and Japanese sweets while taking in the surrounding views.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Shinji Lake, Shimane Prefecture
Lake Shinji comes in at number 7 on the list of Japan’s largest lakes, and is the perfect spot to take in the sunset over Matsue. If you’d like to get out on the water itself to appreciate all of the natural beauty, there are several different boat companies that take passengers out for evening cruises. If you can’t plan a visit to the lake to coincide with sunset, never fear – it’s still a stunning sight to see no matter the time of day.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Matsue Vogel Park, 52 Ogaki-cho, Matsue 690-0263 Shimane Prefecture
In one of the world’s largest greenhouses, there’s a garden with several thousand types of begonias, and 800 unusual specimens representing approximately 80 species of the world’s birds. There are also programs in which you can see the birds up close and popular bird shows.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Matsue Castle Town, Tonomachi, Matsue 690-0887 Shimane Prefecture
If you’re a history buff, checking out Matsue’s Samurai Residences needs to be added to your Shimane itinerary. The residences are situated in close proximity to Matsue Castle, and have been preserved to give you an idea of how some high ranking samurai families would have lived in times gone by. The residences have been under renovation for some time now, but are scheduled to reopen in August 2018.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Yuushien, 1260-2 Yatsukachō Hanyū, Matsue, Shimane 690-1492, Japan
Touted as one of the best gardens in Japan is Yushien, which has something to enjoy no matter which season you plan to visit. They’re probably most well known for their beautiful springtime peonies, but the gardens are also revered as a spot to enjoy the changing leaves of autumn, known in Japan as koyo. As well as the beauty of nature to enjoy, the grounds also boast several restaurants where you can appreciate the views over a bite to eat.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Inasa Beach, Inasa-2711 Taishachō Kizukikita, Izumo, Shimane 699-0702, Japan
If you want to visit a beach with one of the most unique and beautiful shrines in Japan, heading to Inasanohama Beach is a must. Just a short distance away from Izumo Taisha Shrine, the beach here has a large rock pillar sitting in the water with a shrine atop it. The shrine here is said to be the home of a female sea deity, who keeps a watchful eye over sailors and ensures their safety.
Duration: 1 hour
