Shimane in three nights and four days: Adachi gardens or lakeside exhibitions?
Spend two nights in Matsue and one in Izumo, with the shrine and beach on separate days. For gardens and Japanese paintings, visit the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi on Day 2, allowing time for the return JR and shuttle journeys. For the collection exhibition while staying in Matsue, choose the Shimane Art Museum, reached on foot from Matsue Station in both directions.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days / 3 nights
Castle, gardens, shrine and beach
Spend two nights in Matsue, then one in Izumoshi. See the castle and Adachi Museum of Art first, then move to Izumo and separate the shrine and approach street from the beach walk.
Castle, gardens, shrine and beach →4 days / 3 nights BCastle and lakeside exhibitions, then Izumo
For collection exhibitions and a lakeside walk in central Matsue, spend two nights in Matsue and one in Izumoshi. This option gives you time in Matsue instead of a trip to the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi.
Castle and lakeside exhibitions, then Izumo →Castle, gardens, shrine and beach
Spend two nights in Matsue, then one in Izumoshi. See the castle and Adachi Museum of Art first, then move to Izumo and separate the shrine and approach street from the beach walk.
Day 1 · Matsue Castle keep and surroundings
Visit Matsue Castle keep and explore the surroundings.
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle bus stop
Board the Lake Line at stand 7 at Matsue Station and get off at National Treasure Matsue Castle (Otemae), 国宝松江城（大手前）. Follow signs through the grounds to the keep entrance. Use the current timetable to choose a service back to Matsue Station after your visit.
- Matsue Castle bus stop → Castle keep and lunch
Follow signs through the Honmaru grounds to the keep entrance. Allow extra time to walk there from the bus stop. We suggest about 90 minutes for the keep, including stairs and removing your shoes, and about 60 minutes for lunch and a break nearby. Follow the facility's last-admission time.
Open official Matsue Castle informationMore transport and operating information
- Matsue Castle → Accommodation in Matsue
Return to the same stop and board the Lake Line in the same loop direction for Matsue Station. This is a different service from regular buses at the prefectural office: it completes the remaining loop after the castle. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 2 · Gardens and Japanese paintings, then back to the same accommodation
View the gardens and Japanese paintings, then return to the same accommodation.
- Matsue Station or accommodation → Yasugi shuttle stop
Take a JR local train towards Yonago from Matsue Station and get off at Yasugi. The free Adachi Museum of Art shuttle stop is about 15 metres to the right outside the station building. Choose a connection that allows time to leave the platform and station before the shuttle departs.
- Yasugi Station → Adachi Museum of Art
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to the museum. Its 25 seats are allocated first come, first served; arriving by JR does not secure a seat. If it is full, choose the next free service or the official paid Yellow Bus, and add any paid fare to the subtotal.
- Adachi Museum of Art entrance → Return shuttle ticket and museum visit
On entering, first collect one numbered return-shuttle ticket per person from the entrance counter. Plan your garden and Japanese painting viewing and lunch around the return service you secure. The museum recommends at least two hours for a visit; allow extra time for ticket and meal queues. Check the annex's closure arrangements.
More transport and operating informationOpen official Adachi Museum of Art information
- Adachi Museum of Art → Accommodation in Matsue
Take the shuttle shown on your numbered ticket to Yasugi Station, then a JR train to Matsue. If you cannot secure a free return service, check the paid Yellow Bus. Its stop is about a two-minute walk from the museum and adds JPY 200 one way. Stay in Matsue tonight, and check the JR connection for your chosen return bus.
Day 3 · Move to Izumo for the shrine and approach street
Move to Izumo for the shrine and approach street.
- Accommodation in Matsue → Izumoshi Station and new accommodation
Take JR from Matsue Station towards Izumoshi to change cities. Stay in Izumoshi tonight and visit the shrine and Shinmondori. Allow time for the move and shrine visit when choosing your bus, rather than relying on a tight connection immediately after the train arrives.
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From stand 1 outside the north exit of JR Izumoshi Station, take a bus towards Izumo Oyashiro Shrine via AEON Mall and get off at Seimon-mae, 正門前. The adult fare is JPY 510 each way, or JPY 1,020 return. Do not apply this fare to services via Youme Town. Events can alter stops and times, so check the operator's current notices and your return service.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresRegular outward departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
- Seimon-mae → Shrine and Shinmondori
Walk about one minute from the stop to the large Seidamari torii, then follow the approach, Harae Bridge and pine-lined path into the grounds. We suggest 75–90 minutes at the shrine and about 60 minutes for lunch on Shinmondori. The area behind the main sanctuary closes at 16:30; the treasure hall is outside this itinerary. Allow extra time for the approach walk and food queues.
Walk to the main entrance and shrine approachMore transport and operating information
- Shrine and Shinmondori → Accommodation in Izumoshi
Take a bus from Seimon-mae to Izumoshi Station via AEON Mall. Choose a return service you can catch after the shrine visit and lunch. Stay in Izumoshi tonight.
Regular return departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
Day 4 · Beach walk, finishing at Izumoshi Station
Walk the beach, then finish at Izumoshi Station.
- Izumoshi Station or accommodation → Seimon-mae
From stand 1 outside the north exit of JR Izumoshi Station, take a bus towards Izumo Oyashiro Shrine via AEON Mall and get off at Seimon-mae, 正門前. The adult fare is JPY 510 each way, or JPY 1,020 return. Do not apply this fare to services via Youme Town. Events can alter stops and times, so check the operator's current notices and your return service.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresRegular outward departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
- Seimon-mae → Inasa Beach
Walk about one minute to the large Seidamari torii, then head from the shrine-side starting point towards Inasa Beach on the coast to the west. The tourism agency's roughly 15-minute walk starts at the shrine, rather than when your bus arrives. Follow local signs for crossings. The shrine's surrounding-area map also marks the beach car park and toilets.
Walk to the main entrance and shrine approachShimane tourism agency beach informationMore transport and operating information
- Beach entrance → Beach walk
We suggest 30–45 minutes for a walk. There is no repeat visit to the shrine grounds from Day 1. Omit the beach round trip in rain, strong winds or if you cannot leave enough time for your departure.
- Inasa Beach → Izumoshi Station or accommodation
Follow the same route back towards the shrine's main entrance and the Izumoshi-bound boarding point at Seimon-mae. Take a bus via AEON Mall back to the station for JPY 510 one way. Shorten the beach trip in wind or rain, or if your final-day departure leaves little spare time. This itinerary ends at Izumoshi Station.
Regular return departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 OctoberCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares
Included: Castle JPY 1,200 + Adachi JPY 2,500 + Lake Line JPY 250 × 2 rides + bus via AEON Mall JPY 510 × 4 rides + JR to Yasugi JPY 420 × 2 journeys + JR Matsue → Izumoshi JPY 590.
Extra costs and conditions: This assumes the free Adachi shuttle. The paid Yellow Bus adds JPY 200 one way or JPY 400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport transfers and unlisted JR, private railway and bus services cost extra. Paid options such as prayers and the treasure hall are excluded.
Open official Matsue Castle informationOpen official Adachi Museum of Art informationMore transport and operating informationCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresDynamic search page
Castle and lakeside exhibitions, then Izumo
For collection exhibitions and a lakeside walk in central Matsue, spend two nights in Matsue and one in Izumoshi. This option gives you time in Matsue instead of a trip to the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi.
Day 1 · Explore Matsue Castle keep
Visit Matsue Castle keep on the first day and stay in Matsue.
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle bus stop
Board the Lake Line at stand 7 at Matsue Station and get off at National Treasure Matsue Castle (Otemae), 国宝松江城（大手前）. Follow signs through the grounds to the keep entrance. Use the current timetable to choose a service back to Matsue Station after your visit.
- Matsue Castle bus stop → Castle keep and lunch
Follow signs through the Honmaru grounds to the keep entrance. Allow extra time to walk there from the bus stop. We suggest about 90 minutes for the keep, including stairs and removing your shoes, and about 60 minutes for lunch and a break nearby. Follow the facility's last-admission time.
Open official Matsue Castle informationMore transport and operating information
- Matsue Castle → Accommodation in Matsue
Return to the same stop and board the Lake Line in the same loop direction for Matsue Station. This is a different service from regular buses at the prefectural office: it completes the remaining loop after the castle. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 2 · Shimane Art Museum and the lakeside
See the Shimane Art Museum collection and walk beside the lake.
- Matsue Station or accommodation → Shimane Art Museum
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to the Shimane Art Museum. After seeing the collection, follow the same route back to the station.
Official English hours, admission and walking directionsMuseum FAQ
- Museum entrance → Collection exhibition
Allow 60–90 minutes for the collection after the museum opens at 10:00. If it is closed on Tuesday, visit on another opening day or omit the indoor visit. Special exhibitions are outside this itinerary. Allow separate time for a lakeside break or lunch afterwards. The lakeside walk does not guarantee a sunset view.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station or accommodation
Walk back along the same route for about 15 minutes to Matsue Station. Stay in Matsue again tonight.
Official English hours, admission and walking directionsMuseum FAQ
Day 3 · Move to accommodation in Izumo and eat on Shinmondori
Move to accommodation in Izumo and eat on Shinmondori.
- Accommodation in Matsue → Izumoshi Station and new accommodation
Take JR from Matsue Station towards Izumoshi to change cities. Stay in Izumoshi tonight and visit the shrine and Shinmondori. Allow time for the move and shrine visit when choosing your bus, rather than relying on a tight connection immediately after the train arrives.
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From stand 1 outside the north exit of JR Izumoshi Station, take a bus towards Izumo Oyashiro Shrine via AEON Mall and get off at Seimon-mae, 正門前. The adult fare is JPY 510 each way, or JPY 1,020 return. Do not apply this fare to services via Youme Town. Events can alter stops and times, so check the operator's current notices and your return service.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresRegular outward departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
- Seimon-mae → Shrine and Shinmondori
Walk about one minute from the stop to the large Seidamari torii, then follow the approach, Harae Bridge and pine-lined path into the grounds. We suggest 75–90 minutes at the shrine and about 60 minutes for lunch on Shinmondori. The area behind the main sanctuary closes at 16:30; the treasure hall is outside this itinerary. Allow extra time for the approach walk and food queues.
Walk to the main entrance and shrine approachMore transport and operating information
- Shrine and Shinmondori → Accommodation in Izumoshi
Take a bus from Seimon-mae to Izumoshi Station via AEON Mall. Choose a return service you can catch after the shrine visit and lunch. Stay in Izumoshi tonight.
Regular return departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
Day 4 · Visit Inasa Beach and return to the station
Visit Inasa Beach and return to the station.
- Izumoshi Station or accommodation → Seimon-mae
From stand 1 outside the north exit of JR Izumoshi Station, take a bus towards Izumo Oyashiro Shrine via AEON Mall and get off at Seimon-mae, 正門前. The adult fare is JPY 510 each way, or JPY 1,020 return. Do not apply this fare to services via Youme Town. Events can alter stops and times, so check the operator's current notices and your return service.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresRegular outward departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
- Seimon-mae → Inasa Beach
Walk about one minute to the large Seidamari torii, then head from the shrine-side starting point towards Inasa Beach on the coast to the west. The tourism agency's roughly 15-minute walk starts at the shrine, rather than when your bus arrives. Follow local signs for crossings. The shrine's surrounding-area map also marks the beach car park and toilets.
Walk to the main entrance and shrine approachShimane tourism agency beach informationMore transport and operating information
- Beach entrance → Beach walk
We suggest 30–45 minutes for a walk. There is no repeat visit to the shrine grounds from Day 1. Omit the beach round trip in rain, strong winds or if you cannot leave enough time for your departure.
- Inasa Beach → Izumoshi Station or accommodation
Follow the same route back towards the shrine's main entrance and the Izumoshi-bound boarding point at Seimon-mae. Take a bus via AEON Mall back to the station for JPY 510 one way. Shorten the beach trip in wind or rain, or if your final-day departure leaves little spare time. This itinerary ends at Izumoshi Station.
Regular return departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 OctoberCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares
Included: Matsue Castle JPY 1,200 + art museum collection JPY 400 + Lake Line JPY 250 × 2 rides + bus via AEON Mall JPY 510 × 4 rides + JR Matsue → Izumoshi JPY 590.
Extra costs and conditions: Walk to the museum and back from the station. Subtract JPY 400 if you omit the collection visit. Special exhibitions, accommodation, meals, airport transfers and unlisted transport and activities cost extra. Paid options at Izumo Oyashiro Shrine, such as prayers and the treasure hall, are excluded.
Open official Matsue Castle informationHorikawa boat operatorMore transport and operating informationCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresDynamic search pageOfficial English hours, admission and walking directionsMuseum FAQCurrent opening and admission information
Frequently asked questions
Do I visit Adachi Museum of Art and the Izumo shrine on the same day?
On the Adachi route, travel from Matsue to Yasugi on Day 2, view the gardens and Japanese paintings, then return to Matsue. Visit the shrine and approach street after moving to Izumo on Day 3. This separates the museum visit from the move between cities. Check your return shuttle and JR departure from Yasugi together.
More transport and operating informationOfficial JR journey search
Official sources and dates checked
- Horikawa boat operator ·
- Open official Matsue Castle information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- Open official Adachi Museum of Art information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- Museum FAQ ·
- Official English hours, admission and walking directions ·
- Current opening and admission information ·
- Shimane tourism agency beach information ·
- Official JR journey search ·
- Dynamic search page ·
- Special timetable for 10–11 October ·
- Special timetable for 12 October ·
- Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares ·
- Walk to the main entrance and shrine approach ·
- Regular outward departures ·
- Regular return departures ·