Travel in Shimane
Horikawa Sightseeing Boat
Horikawa Sightseeing Boat · 堀川遊覧船
Horikawa Sightseeing Boat follows the waterways around Matsue Castle. View Matsue from near water level and pass beneath its low bridges.
Visitor information
Address
島根県松江市（松江堀川ふれあい広場・京店カラコロ広場・大手前広場の各乗船場）
Matsue Horikawa Freai Square, Kyomise Karakoro Square, and Ote-mae Square, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
Map locationAdmission
One-day tickets cost ¥2,000 for adults, ¥1,600 for junior and senior high school students, ¥1,000 for elementary school students and ¥500 for preschool children. One preschool child rides free per adult. Groups of 20 or more pay ¥1,800 for adults, ¥1,500 for junior and senior high school students and ¥900 for elementary students. Tickets allow repeat rides that day, with waits when busy.
Opening hours
First departure is 09:00. Last departure is 17:00 in March–September or 16:00 in October–February. Fureai Hiroba departures are about every 20–30 minutes and Otemae Hiroba about every 15–20 minutes; a loop takes about 50 minutes. Reception ends 10 minutes before operations close, or 20 minutes at Karakoro Hiroba. There is no regular closure day, but weather, water levels or route changes may suspend service or alter times.
What to see at Horikawa Sightseeing Boat
Matsue views from the boat
This boat explores the castle surroundings from near water level. Board for a trip through Matsue's waterways.
Passing beneath low bridges
Some low bridges require you to duck. Follow the crew's instructions to lower your posture while passing underneath.
How to get to Horikawa Sightseeing Boat
Take the Lakeline from JR Matsue Station to Otemae Horikawa Yūransen Noriba/Rekishikan-mae (大手前堀川遊覧船乗場・歴史館前). Go to Otemae Hiroba boarding-point reception (大手前広場乗船場) inside Matsue Castle's Otemae car park. This is different from Fureai Hiroba; reserved groups of 10 or more board only at Fureai Hiroba. Check on-site information for crossings, entrance routes and walking time from the stop to reception.
Horikawa boat operator Additional transport and operating information Operator's boarding-point map Reservations and full-loop ride guide City boarding-point location and site plan City plan of Otemae reception
Visiting tips
Check your boarding-point name
Ordinary small groups can ride without reservations. Reserved groups of 10 or more board at Fureai Hiroba, a different landing from Otemae Hiroba. Check your departure point before going.
Reservations and full-loop ride guide Operator's boarding-point map
Finding Otemae reception
Otemae Hiroba reception is inside Matsue Castle's Otemae car park. Follow on-site information for crossings and entrance routes from the bus stop. Walking time for this section is unconfirmed.
City boarding-point location and site plan City plan of Otemae reception
Boarding at Karakoro Hiroba
Karakoro Hiroba has no scheduled departures. Board a passing boat when seats are available; reception ends 20 minutes before operations close.
Operator's boarding-point map Reservations and full-loop ride guide
Questions about Horikawa Sightseeing Boat
Do Horikawa boats require advance reservations?
Ordinary small groups can ride without reservations. Reserved groups of 10 or more board at Fureai Hiroba. Weather and water levels may alter services, so check visit-date information.
Reservations and full-loop ride guide Operator's boarding-point map Horikawa boat operator
Official sources
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Horikawa boat operator ·
- Operator's boarding-point map ·
- Reservations and full-loop ride guide ·
- Additional transport and operating information ·
- City boarding-point location and site plan ·
- City plan of Otemae reception ·
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