Shimane in four nights and five days: one base or two cities?
If you prefer to keep the same accommodation, spend four nights in Matsue and make separate trips to Yasugi and Izumo. To split the shrine and beach over two days, you can start with two nights in Izumo before moving to Matsue.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days / 4 nights
Gardens, shrine, exhibitions and history from a Matsue base
Spend four nights near Matsue Station. Keeping the same accommodation means more return JR journeys to Yasugi and Izumoshi.
Gardens, shrine, exhibitions and history from a Matsue base →5 days / 4 nights BFrom Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art
Spend two nights in Izumoshi, then two in Matsue. Start with the shrine and beach, followed by Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art and Shimane Art Museum. Compared with option A, this route changes accommodation and visits the beach instead of an Izumo day trip and history museum visit.
From Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art →Gardens, shrine, exhibitions and history from a Matsue base
Spend four nights near Matsue Station. Keeping the same accommodation means more return JR journeys to Yasugi and Izumoshi.
Day 1 · Visit the keep and spend your first night in Matsue
Visit the keep and spend your first night 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. If visiting the history museum on Day 5, check the conditions for the JPY 1,520 castle and history museum combined ticket.
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 · Visit the gardens in Yasugi and return to Matsue
Visit the gardens in Yasugi and return to Matsue.
- 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 · Visit the shrine and return to Matsue via Izumoshi Station
Visit the shrine and return to Matsue via Izumoshi Station.
- Accommodation in Matsue → Izumoshi Station
Take a JR San-in Line train from Matsue towards Izumoshi. Go to stand 1 outside Izumoshi Station's north exit and change to a shrine-bound bus. This is a day trip returning to Matsue, so check both the return bus and Matsue-bound JR service.
- 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 Matsue
Take a bus from Seimon-mae to Izumoshi Station via AEON Mall. Choose one you can catch after the shrine visit and lunch. At Izumoshi Station, change to JR for Matsue and return to your accommodation.
Regular return departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 OctoberDynamic search page
Day 4 · 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 5 · Visit Matsue History Museum and return to the station
Visit Matsue History Museum and return to the station.
- Matsue Station or accommodation → Matsue History Museum
Take the Lake Line from stand 7 at Matsue Station and get off at stop ⑧, the boat boarding point and history museum. Walk about three minutes to Matsue History Museum.
More transport and operating informationWalk from the bus stop
- History museum entrance → Permanent exhibition
Allow 60–90 minutes for the permanent exhibition. If it is closed on Monday, swap this visit with the art museum visit to suit their opening days.
- Matsue History Museum → Matsue Station or accommodation
After your visit, walk about three minutes back to the same stop and take the Lake Line in its loop direction to Matsue Station. Allow time to prepare for departure after reaching the station. This itinerary ends at Matsue Station.
More transport and operating informationWalk from the bus stop
Included: (Castle and history museum combined ticket JPY 1,520, or separate tickets JPY 1,900) + Adachi JPY 2,500 + art museum collection JPY 400 + Lake Line JPY 250 × 4 rides + bus via AEON Mall JPY 510 × 2 rides + JR to Yasugi JPY 420 × 2 journeys + JR to Izumoshi JPY 590 × 2 journeys.
Extra costs and conditions: The castle and history museum combined ticket covers the permanent exhibition and is valid for 10 days from first use. The subtotal is JPY 8,460 with this ticket or JPY 8,840 with separate tickets. Subtract JPY 400 if you omit the art museum's collection visit. Adachi uses the free shuttle; the paid Yellow Bus adds JPY 200 one way or JPY 400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport transfers, special exhibitions and unlisted transport and activities cost extra. Paid options such as prayers and the treasure hall are excluded.
Tourism agency combined-ticket validityHistory museum hours and admissionOpen official Matsue Castle informationOpen official Adachi Museum of Art 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
From Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art
Spend two nights in Izumoshi, then two in Matsue. Start with the shrine and beach, followed by Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art and Shimane Art Museum. Compared with option A, this route changes accommodation and visits the beach instead of an Izumo day trip and history museum visit.
Day 1 · Shrine visit in Izumo and Shinmondori
Visit the shrine in Izumo and walk Shinmondori.
- 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 2 · Visit the beach and spend another night in Izumo
Visit the beach and spend another night in Izumo.
- 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. In strong wind or rain, shorten the beach walk and return to your accommodation in Izumoshi.
Regular return departuresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 OctoberCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares
Day 3 · Move to Matsue and visit the castle keep
Move to Matsue and visit the castle keep.
- Accommodation in Izumoshi → Matsue Station and new accommodation
Take JR from Izumoshi Station towards Matsue to change cities. Stay in Matsue for the next two nights and allow time for the castle visit after arriving.
- 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 4 · Day trip to Yasugi for gardens and Japanese paintings
Take a day trip to Yasugi for gardens and Japanese paintings.
- 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 5 · Lakeside collection exhibition, finishing in Matsue
View the lakeside collection exhibition, then finish in Matsue.
- 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 opening at 10:00. If the museum is closed on Tuesday, move the visit to an earlier opening day or omit it on the final day. Do not wait for sunset on your departure day.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and departure
Walk back along the same route for about 15 minutes to Matsue Station. The final day ends after the collection visit, without waiting for sunset. This itinerary ends at Matsue Station.
Official English hours, admission and walking directionsMuseum FAQ
Included: Castle JPY 1,200 + Adachi JPY 2,500 + art museum JPY 400 + Lake Line JPY 250 × 2 rides + bus via AEON Mall JPY 510 × 4 rides + JR Izumoshi → Matsue JPY 590 + JR to Yasugi JPY 420 × 2 journeys.
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 informationOfficial English hours, admission and walking directionsMore transport and operating informationCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresDynamic search page
Frequently asked questions
How do JR journeys differ between an Izumo day trip and staying there?
With four nights in Matsue, make a Matsue → Izumoshi → Matsue return trip on Day 3. With two nights each in Izumo and Matsue, move once from Izumoshi to Matsue on Day 3. Both routes also have a separate JR return trip between Matsue and Yasugi on the Adachi visiting day.
Can I use the castle and history museum combined ticket on the first and last days?
The combined ticket is valid for 10 days from first use, so on the four-night Matsue route you can use it for the castle on Day 1 and the history museum permanent exhibition on the last day. Check museum closures as well as validity. The subtotal is JPY 8,460 with the combined ticket or JPY 8,840 with separate admission; special exhibitions cost extra.
Tourism agency combined-ticket validityHistory museum hours and admission
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 ·
- History museum hours and admission ·
- Walk from the bus stop ·
- Tourism agency combined-ticket validity ·
- 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 ·