Travel in Shimane
Matsue Castle
Matsue Castle · 松江城
Inside Matsue Castle’s old wooden keep, see how the castle was built. Walk around Honmaru outside the keep for views of the castle.
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Visitor information
Admission
Keep admission: adults 1,200 yen; elementary/junior-high students free. Adult groups of 30 or more pay 960 yen. Honmaru is free. Keep fares were revised on 1 July 2026.
Opening hours
Keep hours: April–September 08:30–18:00, reception until 17:30; October–March 08:30–17:00, reception until 16:30. Honmaru opens April–September 08:00–18:30 and October–March 08:00–17:30. Open year-round; events may change hours.
What to see at Matsue Castle
Inside the wooden keep
Enter the keep and climb its interior stairs to see the wooden structure. Add a keep visit if you want to see what lies inside the castle you have viewed from outside.
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Castle views from Honmaru
Walk around Honmaru for castle views. This area is free to enter, so you can explore it without paying to enter the keep.
How to get to Matsue Castle
Take Lakeline from JR Matsue to the National Treasure Matsue Castle (Otemae) stop, 国宝松江城（大手前）. Follow signs within the castle to the keep. Afterwards, return to Matsue Station on the loop service from the same stop. For regular buses via the prefectural offices, check that route’s fare and timetable separately.
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Before you visit
Before climbing the stairs
Remove your shoes inside the keep and climb steep stairs. If stairs are difficult, walk around Honmaru for views of the castle.
Around the north gate
Access around the north gate may be restricted. Follow the castle’s notices for your visiting date.
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Questions about Matsue Castle
Are the stairs inside Matsue Castle steep?
The keep has steep stairs and requires visitors to remove their shoes. If climbing is difficult, walk around the free Honmaru area for castle views.
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Official sources
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official Matsue Castle information ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
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