Shimane · Japan

Matsue and Izumo

The city of the original castle and the sunset over Lake Shinji, the great Izumo Shrine, Adachi Museum Garden, and the old Iwami Ginzan silver mine on the Sea of Japan coast.

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In the photo: Hinomisaki Lighthouse on the Izumo coast

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Matsue and Izumo are in Shimane Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast, in the San'in region, which is less visited than the Inland Sea side. The capital, Matsue, occupies the strip of land between Lake Shinji and the Nakaumi lagoon. Matsue Castle, with its dark walls, has the original keep from the early 17th century and is a National Treasure. The moats are traversed by low boats that pass under narrow bridges.

The city preserves the samurai quarter Shiomi Nawate and the house of Lafcadio Hearn, the Greek-Irish writer who lived there at the end of the 19th century and wrote about Japan under the name Koizumi Yakumo. The tea culture left by a feudal lord remains alive in the confectionery houses. About 25 km away, the Adachi Museum of Art has one of the most praised gardens in the country.

About 35 km to the west, Izumo grew around Izumo Taisha, a very ancient shrine dedicated to the deity of bonds and marriages. Tradition says that once a year the gods from all over the country gather there. The surrounding coast includes Inasa Beach and the stone Hinomisaki Lighthouse.

Further southwest, about 50 km from Izumo, is Iwami Ginzan, the silver mine that in the 17th century supplied much of Asia’s trade and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is well served by train and bus, and pairs well with Okayama, from where the express train crosses the mountains.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Matsue, Izumo.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Matsue and Izumo is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Matsue and Izumo

✈ Aeroporto de Izumo (IZO), in Izumo · 23 km to Matsue

The Yakumo limited express connects Okayama, on the shinkansen line, to Matsue in about 2½ hours and continues to Izumo. Izumo Airport, located between the two cities, receives flights from Tokyo, Osaka and other cities; Yonago Airport also serves Matsue. Overnight buses connect the region with Tokyo and Osaka.

Suggested arrival point: Matsue

Shimane · Matsue and Izumo Capital Suggested arrival point

Matsue

Capital of Shimane, Matsue is crossed by canals between two large bodies of water. It has the original dark-walled castle, a National Treasure, the moats you can tour by boat, the samurai quarter of Shiomi Nawate with Lafcadio Hearn’s house, and the sunset over Lake Shinji. The Adachi Art Museum is about 25 km away.

Shimane · Matsue and Izumo

Izumo

On Shimane’s west coast, Izumo is the town of the great Izumo Taisha shrine. Around the shrine are the soba shops street, the old Izumo museum, Inasa Beach and Hinomisaki Cape with its stone lighthouse. The Iwami Ginzan silver mine, a UNESCO site, is about 50 km away.

The local experience

Things to do in Matsue and Izumo

Matsue · Shimane · Castle

Matsue Castle

A 1611 castle with the original main keep, dark walls, a National Treasure, atop a hill surrounded by moats toured by boat; from the top floor you can see Lake Shinji.

Izumo · Shimane · Shrine

Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine)

One of Japan’s oldest and most important shrines, dedicated to Okuninushi, deity of bonds and marriage; the main hall is a National Treasure, and the Kaguraden has an enormous sacred rope.

Izumo · Shimane · Historic site

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Iwami Ginzan)

Former silver mine in the Oda mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Ryugenji Mabu tunnel open to visitors, the village of Omori and the hot‑spring port of Yunotsu.

Matsue · Shimane · Museum

Adachi Museum of Art

A museum in Yasugi, about 25 km from Matsue, with a large Japanese garden viewed through the windows like a living painting and a collection of modern Japanese painting focused on Yokoyama Taikan.

See 2 more places in Matsue and Izumo

Izumo · Shimane · Lighthouse

Hinomisaki Lighthouse

Japan’s tallest stone lighthouse, about 44 meters high, on Cape Hinomisaki northwest of Izumo Taisha; a spiral staircase leads up to the balcony overlooking the Sea of Japan.

Matsue · Shimane · Lake

Lake Shinji

Large brackish lake on the west shore of Matsue, known for the sunset behind the islet Yomegashima and for the shijimi clams; the shore has a promenade, a museum and hot springs.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

The mildest periods are spring and autumn. On the Sea of Japan coast, winter brings overcast skies, wind and sometimes snow; summer is hot and humid. November, which generally corresponds to the tenth lunar month, is the time of the gods’ festivals in Izumo.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days allow one day in Matsue, one in Izumo for the shrine and lighthouse, and one for Iwami Ginzan or the Adachi Museum. With two days, do Matsue and Adachi in one day and Izumo the other.

Which city to stay in

In Matsue, the lakeside hot spring area Matsue Shinjiko Onsen has hotels with sunset views; near the station there are convenient hotels for train travel. In Izumo, there are inns on the shrine street and hotels near Izumoshi Station. Iwami Ginzan and Yunotsu have few traditional lodgings, so book in advance.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Matsue and Izumo

Is it better to sleep in Matsue or Izumo?

Matsue has more hotels, the castle and the Lake Shinji sunset, and serves as a base for the region. Izumo is better for those who want to visit the shrine early, before the tour groups. The two are about 30 minutes apart by train.

Can you visit Iwami Ginzan as a day trip from Izumo?

Yes. Take the train to Odashi Station and a bus to the heritage center, about 1½ hours from Izumo. Reserve the entire day.

Do I need a car in Matsue and Izumo?

No. JR trains and the Ichibata line connect Matsue, Izumo and the shrine, and there are buses to Adachi, the lighthouse and Iwami Ginzan. A car helps to combine more spots in one day.

How do I get to Matsue from Kyoto or Osaka?

Take the shinkansen to Okayama and then the Yakumo limited express, about 2½ hours. There are also daytime and overnight buses from Osaka and flights to Izumo and Yonago airports.

What is the month of the gods in Izumo?

According to tradition, the gods from all over Japan gather in Izumo in the tenth lunar month, which generally corresponds to November. For that reason the month is called Kamiarizuki there, the month when there are gods, and the shrine holds welcoming and farewell ceremonies.

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Beyond the guide

Matsue and Izumo

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.