Travel in Shimane
Matsue Castle
Matsue Castle · 松江城
Inside Matsue Castle's historic wooden keep, see the building's structure up close. Walk the surrounding Honmaru for outside views.
Official sources Official sources Official Matsue Castle guide
Visitor information
Admission
Keep admission is ¥1,200 for adults and free for elementary and junior high school students. Adult groups of 30 or more pay ¥960. The Honmaru is free to explore. Keep prices changed July 1, 2026.
Opening hours
Keep hours are 08:30–18:00 in April–September and 08:30–17:00 in October–March, with reception until 17:30 and 16:30 respectively. The Honmaru opens 08:00–18:30 in April–September and 08:00–17:30 in October–March. Open year-round; events may alter hours.
What to see at Matsue Castle
Inside the wooden keep
Follow the interior stairs through the keep to examine its wooden structure. Add a keep visit if you want to see the interior of the castle you have viewed from outside.
Official Matsue Castle guide Additional transport and operating information
Castle views from the Honmaru
Walk around the Honmaru with views of the castle. This area has no admission charge, so you can explore without entering the keep.
How to get to Matsue Castle
Take the Lakeline from JR Matsue Station and get off at Kokuhō Matsue-jō (Ōtemae) (国宝松江城（大手前）). Follow the castle signs up to the keep. After visiting, take the loop bus from the same stop back to Matsue Station. For an ordinary bus via Kenchō-mae, check that route's fares and times separately.
Official Matsue Castle guide Additional transport and operating information Additional transport and operating information
Visiting tips
Before climbing the stairs
Remove your shoes inside the keep and climb steep stairs. If stairs are difficult, walk the Honmaru for castle views instead.
Passing the north gate
Access near the north gate may be restricted. Follow the castle's information for your visit date.
Official Matsue Castle guide Additional transport and operating information
Questions about Matsue Castle
Are the stairs inside Matsue Castle steep?
The keep has steep stairs and requires shoes to be removed. If climbing is difficult, view the castle while walking in the free Honmaru area.
Additional transport and operating information Official Matsue Castle guide
Official sources
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official Matsue Castle guide ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Additional transport and operating information ·
- Additional transport and operating information ·
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