Shimane in five days: one hotel or stays in two cities?
For one hotel, stay four nights in Matsue with separate day trips to Yasugi and Izumo. To split shrine and beach visits across two days, you can start with two nights in Izumo before moving to Matsue.
Choose a 5 days, 4 nights itinerary
Gardens, shrine, art and history from Matsue
Stay four nights near Matsue Station. Keeping the same hotel adds return JR travel to Yasugi and Izumo.
Gardens, shrine, art and history from Matsue →5 days, 4 nights BFrom Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art
Stay two nights in Izumoshi followed by two in Matsue. Start with the shrine and beach, then visit Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum and the prefectural art museum. Instead of itinerary A's Izumo day trip and history museum, choose a hotel move and beach walk.
From Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art →Gardens, shrine, art and history from Matsue
Stay four nights near Matsue Station. Keeping the same hotel adds return JR travel to Yasugi and Izumo.
Day 1 · Keep visit and first Matsue night
Keep visit and first Matsue night
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle bus stop
Take the Lakeline bus from bay 7 at Matsue Station and get off at Kokuhō Matsue-jō (Ōtemae) (国宝松江城（大手前）). Follow the castle signs from the stop to the keep entrance. Use the current timetable to choose your return service to Matsue Station after visiting.
- Matsue Castle bus stop → Keep and lunch
Follow the park signs through the Honmaru to the keep entrance. Walking from the bus stop is extra. Allow a suggested 90 minutes for the keep, including stairs and removing shoes, and about 60 minutes for lunch and rest nearby. Follow the facility's reception deadline. If visiting the history museum on day five too, compare the conditions for the ¥1,520 castle/history museum combined ticket.
Official Matsue Castle guideAdditional transport and operating information
- Matsue Castle → Matsue hotel
Return from the same stop on the Lakeline bus in the same loop direction. This differs from the ordinary bus at the prefectural office; it follows the rest of the loop after the castle to Matsue Station. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 2 · Yasugi garden visit and return to Matsue
Yasugi garden visit and return to Matsue
- Matsue Station and hotel → Yasugi shuttle stop
Take a Yonago-bound JR local train from Matsue to Yasugi. The free Adachi Museum shuttle stop is about 15 m to the right outside the station building. Choose a connection with time to get from the JR platform through the exit to the shuttle.
Dynamic search pageAdditional transport and operating information
- Yasugi Station → Adachi Museum of Art
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to the museum. Its capacity is 25, with boarding in arrival order; reaching Yasugi by JR does not secure a seat. If full, choose the next free service or the official paid Yellow Bus, adding its fare to the subtotal.
- Adachi Museum entrance → Return shuttle ticket and visit
On entering, first collect one return shuttle numbered ticket per person at the entrance counter. Plan garden and Japanese painting visits and lunch around your secured return service. The museum recommends at least two hours for visiting; allow extra for ticket and meal queues. Check the New Wing's closure conditions.
Additional transport and operating informationOfficial Adachi Museum guide
- Adachi Museum of Art → Matsue hotel
Return to Yasugi Station on the shuttle shown on your ticket, then take JR to Matsue. If no free return service is available, check the paid Yellow Bus. Its stop is about a two-minute walk from the museum and adds ¥200 each way. Stay in Matsue tonight, and look up the JR connection around your chosen return bus.
Additional transport and operating informationDynamic search page
Day 3 · Shrine visit, then Izumoshi Station and back to Matsue
Shrine visit, then Izumoshi Station and back to Matsue
- Matsue hotel → Izumoshi Station
Take an Izumoshi-bound JR Sanin Line train from Matsue. Go to bay 1 at Izumoshi Station's north exit and change to the shrine bus. This is a return day trip to Matsue, so look up the bus and Matsue-bound JR return together.
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From bay 1 at JR Izumoshi Station's north exit, take an Izumo Oyashiro-bound bus via AEON Mall and get off at Seimon-mae (正門前). The adult fare is ¥510 each way or ¥1,020 return; do not apply this fare to services via Youme Town. Events may alter stops and times, so check the operator's current notices and return service together.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresOrdinary outward timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
- Seimon-mae → Shrine and Shinmon-dori
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. Suggested time is 75–90 minutes at the shrine and about 60 minutes for lunch on Shinmon-dori. The area behind the Main Hall closes at 16:30; the treasure hall is excluded. Approach walking and ordering queues are extra.
Walk to the main entrance and shrine approach guideAdditional transport and operating information
- Shrine and Shinmon-dori → Matsue hotel
Return from Seimon-mae on an Izumoshi Station-bound bus via AEON Mall. Choose a service you can reach after worship and lunch, then change to Matsue-bound JR at Izumoshi Station and return to your hotel.
Ordinary return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12thDynamic search page
Day 4 · Shimane Art Museum and lakeside
Museum collection and a lakeside walk
- Matsue Station and hotel → Shimane Art Museum
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to Shimane Art Museum. Visit the collection, then return to the station by the same route.
- Museum entrance → Collection visit
After the 10:00 opening, allow 60–90 minutes for the collection. If closed on Tuesday, choose another opening day or omit the indoor visit. Special exhibitions are outside this itinerary. Allow separate time for a lakeside rest or lunch afterwards. The lakeside walk does not guarantee a sunset viewing.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and hotel
Walk about 15 minutes back along the same route to Matsue Station. Stay in Matsue again tonight.
Day 5 · Matsue History Museum and return to the station
Matsue History Museum and return to the station
- Matsue Station and hotel → Matsue History Museum
Take the Lakeline from Matsue Station bay 7 and get off at stop 8, Jōsenjō/Rekishikan-mae. Walk about three minutes to Matsue History Museum.
Additional transport and operating informationWalk from the stop
- History museum entrance → Basic exhibition visit
Allow 60–90 minutes for the basic exhibition. If Monday is a closure day, swap with the art museum's visit date to suit opening days.
- Matsue History Museum → Matsue Station and hotel
After visiting, walk about three minutes back to the same stop and take the Lakeline in its loop direction to Matsue Station. Allow preparation time after reaching the station when choosing your departure. This itinerary ends at Matsue Station.
Additional transport and operating informationWalk from the stop
Included: (Castle/history museum combined ticket ¥1,520 or separate tickets ¥1,900) + Adachi Museum ¥2,500 + art museum collection ¥400 + Lakeline ¥250 × 4 rides + bus via AEON Mall ¥510 × 2 rides + Yasugi JR ¥420 × 2 journeys + Izumoshi JR ¥590 × 2 journeys.
Extra costs and conditions: The castle/history museum combined ticket covers the basic exhibition and is valid for 10 days from first use. With it, the subtotal is ¥8,460; separate tickets give ¥8,840. Subtract ¥400 if omitting the art museum's indoor visit. Adachi uses the free shuttle; the paid Yellow Bus adds ¥200 each way or ¥400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport travel, special exhibitions and unlisted transport or activities are separate. Paid options such as prayers and the treasure hall are excluded.
Tourism body's combined-ticket validity informationHistory museum hours and pricesOfficial Matsue Castle guideOfficial Adachi Museum guideHorikawa boat operatorAdditional transport and operating informationCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresDynamic search pageOfficial English hours, prices and walking accessMuseum FAQCurrent opening and price guide
From Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art
Stay two nights in Izumoshi followed by two in Matsue. Start with the shrine and beach, then visit Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum and the prefectural art museum. Instead of itinerary A's Izumo day trip and history museum, choose a hotel move and beach walk.
Day 1 · Izumo worship and Shinmon-dori
Izumo worship and Shinmon-dori
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From bay 1 at JR Izumoshi Station's north exit, take an Izumo Oyashiro-bound bus via AEON Mall and get off at Seimon-mae (正門前). The adult fare is ¥510 each way or ¥1,020 return; do not apply this fare to services via Youme Town. Events may alter stops and times, so check the operator's current notices and return service together.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresOrdinary outward timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
- Seimon-mae → Shrine and Shinmon-dori
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. Suggested time is 75–90 minutes at the shrine and about 60 minutes for lunch on Shinmon-dori. The area behind the Main Hall closes at 16:30; the treasure hall is excluded. Approach walking and ordering queues are extra.
Walk to the main entrance and shrine approach guideAdditional transport and operating information
- Shrine and Shinmon-dori → Izumoshi hotel
Return from Seimon-mae on an Izumoshi Station-bound bus via AEON Mall. Choose a service you can reach after worship and lunch. Stay in Izumoshi tonight.
Ordinary return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
Day 2 · Beach visit and another Izumo night
Beach visit and another Izumo night
- Izumoshi Station and hotel → Seimon-mae
From bay 1 at JR Izumoshi Station's north exit, take an Izumo Oyashiro-bound bus via AEON Mall and get off at Seimon-mae (正門前). The adult fare is ¥510 each way or ¥1,020 return; do not apply this fare to services via Youme Town. Events may alter stops and times, so check the operator's current notices and return service together.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresOrdinary outward timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
- Seimon-mae → Inasa-no-hama
Walk about one minute to the large Seidamari torii, then head from the shrine-side starting point to Inasa-no-hama on the western coast. The tourism body's roughly 15-minute estimate is from shrine to beach, rather than from bus arrival. Follow on-site signs for crossings. The shrine's surrounding-area map also marks the beach parking and toilets separately.
Walk to the main entrance and shrine approach guideShimane tourism body's beach guideAdditional transport and operating information
- Beach entrance → Beach walk
Allow a suggested 30–45 minutes for walking. Do not repeat yesterday's shrine grounds visit. Omit the beach return walk in rain, strong winds or when there is too little time before departure.
- Inasa-no-hama → Izumoshi Station and hotel
Return along the same path to the shrine's main entrance and find the Izumoshi Station-bound boarding point at Seimon-mae. Take the ¥510 bus via AEON Mall back to the station. In strong winds or rain, shorten the beach walk and return to your Izumoshi hotel.
Ordinary return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12thCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares
Day 3 · Move to Matsue and visit the keep
Move to Matsue and visit the keep
- Izumoshi hotel → Matsue Station and new hotel
Take a Matsue-bound JR train from Izumoshi to change cities. Stay two nights in Matsue from today, with time for the castle after arrival.
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle bus stop
Take the Lakeline bus from bay 7 at Matsue Station and get off at Kokuhō Matsue-jō (Ōtemae) (国宝松江城（大手前）). Follow the castle signs from the stop to the keep entrance. Use the current timetable to choose your return service to Matsue Station after visiting.
- Matsue Castle bus stop → Keep and lunch
Follow the park signs through the Honmaru to the keep entrance. Walking from the stop is extra. Allow about 90 minutes for the keep, including interior stairs and removing shoes, and about 60 minutes for lunch and a rest nearby. These are suggested visiting times; follow the facility's reception deadline.
Official Matsue Castle guideAdditional transport and operating information
- Matsue Castle → Matsue hotel
Return from the same stop on the Lakeline bus in the same loop direction. This differs from the ordinary bus at the prefectural office; it follows the rest of the loop after the castle to Matsue Station. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 4 · Yasugi garden and Japanese painting day trip
Yasugi garden and Japanese painting day trip
- Matsue Station and hotel → Yasugi shuttle stop
Take a Yonago-bound JR local train from Matsue to Yasugi. The free Adachi Museum shuttle stop is about 15 m to the right outside the station building. Choose a connection with time to get from the JR platform through the exit to the shuttle.
Dynamic search pageAdditional transport and operating information
- Yasugi Station → Adachi Museum of Art
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to the museum. Its capacity is 25, with boarding in arrival order; reaching Yasugi by JR does not secure a seat. If full, choose the next free service or the official paid Yellow Bus, adding its fare to the subtotal.
- Adachi Museum entrance → Return shuttle ticket and visit
On entering, first collect one return shuttle numbered ticket per person at the entrance counter. Plan garden and Japanese painting visits and lunch around your secured return service. The museum recommends at least two hours for visiting; allow extra for ticket and meal queues. Check the New Wing's closure conditions.
Additional transport and operating informationOfficial Adachi Museum guide
- Adachi Museum of Art → Matsue hotel
Return to Yasugi Station on the shuttle shown on your ticket, then take JR to Matsue. If no free return service is available, check the paid Yellow Bus. Its stop is about a two-minute walk from the museum and adds ¥200 each way. Stay in Matsue tonight, and look up the JR connection around your chosen return bus.
Additional transport and operating informationDynamic search page
Day 5 · Lakeside collection and finish in Matsue
Lakeside collection and finish in Matsue
- Matsue Station and hotel → Shimane Art Museum
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to Shimane Art Museum. Visit the collection, then return to the station by the same route.
- Museum entrance → Collection visit
Allow 60–90 minutes for the collection after the 10:00 opening. If Tuesday is a closure day, move the visit to an earlier open day or omit it on departure day. Do not wait for sunset on departure day.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and departure
Walk about 15 minutes back along the same path to Matsue Station. On the last day, depart after the collection visit rather than waiting for sunset. This itinerary ends at Matsue Station.
Included: Castle ¥1,200 + Adachi Museum ¥2,500 + art museum ¥400 + Lakeline ¥250 × 2 rides + bus via AEON Mall ¥510 × 4 rides + Izumoshi–Matsue JR ¥590 + Yasugi JR ¥420 × 2 journeys.
Extra costs and conditions: Based on the free Adachi shuttle. The paid Yellow Bus adds ¥200 each way or ¥400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport travel and unlisted JR, private railways or buses are separate. Paid options such as prayers and the treasure hall are excluded.
Official Matsue Castle guideOfficial Adachi Museum guideOfficial English hours, prices and walking accessAdditional 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 a local stay?
With four Matsue nights, day three is Matsue → Izumoshi → Matsue. With two Izumo and two Matsue nights, day three is one move from Izumoshi to Matsue. Both itineraries separately use return Matsue–Yasugi JR on the Adachi day.
Can I use the combined ticket on the first and last days?
The combined ticket lasts 10 days from first use, so a four-night Matsue stay can use it for the castle on day one and the history museum basic exhibition on the last day. Check museum closures as well as validity. The combined-ticket total is ¥8,460; separate admission gives ¥8,840. Special exhibitions are extra.
Tourism body's combined-ticket validity informationHistory museum hours and prices
Official sources and check dates
- Horikawa boat operator ·
- Official Matsue Castle guide ·
- Additional transport and operating information ·
- Additional transport and operating information ·
- Additional transport and operating information ·
- Official Adachi Museum guide ·
- Additional transport and operating information ·
- History museum hours and prices ·
- Walk from the stop ·
- Tourism body's combined-ticket validity information ·
- Museum FAQ ·
- Official English hours, prices and walking access ·
- Current opening and price guide ·
- Shimane tourism body's beach guide ·
- Official JR search entry point ·
- Dynamic search page ·
- Special timetable for the 10th–11th ·
- Special timetable for the 12th ·
- Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares ·
- Walk to the main entrance and shrine approach guide ·
- Ordinary outward timetable ·
- Ordinary return timetable ·