About the festival
Matsue Suitoro lights the castle and surrounding streets with lanterns. It is an evening walk through illuminated areas, not a procession with a shared start and finish.
Who is it for?
Travelers who prefer a relaxed illuminated walk to a crowded moving parade.
Photo: G41rn8 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Original date: 2016-10-21 11:49:25. Original image or Commons thumbnail; no additional edits.
Dates and times
2026: 26–27 September; 3–4, 10–12 and 17–18 October, 18:00–21:00
Published edition underway. Times use JST. See the official programme for session times and changes.
Venue and parade route
Matsue · 松江
Matsue Castle and the organizer's designated surrounding illumination areas are the venues. There is no compulsory walking start; consult the edition's map for the lit streets.
松江城周辺
The map pin marks a reference venue, rather than every entrance or the full parade route.
Getting there by train or bus
- Travel to Matsue by rail, then use local transport toward Matsue Castle. Match your visit to the published illumination evenings.
What to see
- Castle illumination
- Lantern-lined streets
- Evening walks
History and origins
The modern light event celebrates the setting and atmosphere of Matsue's castle town.
Planning your visit
Our editorial suggestions for planning your trip.
Choose an announced evening and a short walking route; the date range does not mean lanterns are lit every night.
Places to visit nearby
Matsue Castle
松江城
Matsue Castle’s keep and stone walls offer a closer look at the castle’s structure and history.
Visit the keep during the day and the lantern-lit grounds after sunset. Evening access to the keep requires a separate opening announcement.
These stops and the suggested order are editorial recommendations. Check each venue's opening hours and festival-day road closures before travelling.
Matsue Suitoro: common questions
When is Matsue Suitoro?
2026: 26–27 September; 3–4, 10–12 and 17–18 October, 18:00–21:00 These dates refer to the stated edition; they do not confirm dates for a later year. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Where does Matsue Suitoro take place?
Matsue Castle and the organizer's designated surrounding illumination areas are the venues. There is no compulsory walking start; consult the edition's map for the lit streets.
How do I get to Matsue Suitoro by public transport?
Travel to Matsue by rail, then use local transport toward Matsue Castle. Match your visit to the published illumination evenings.
Is the event held every night between its first and last dates?
No. The 2026 event uses the listed weekends and holiday dates. Do not assume an intervening weekday is an event night.
Official sources
- Festival and visitor guide 1 (www.kankou-shimane.com) ↗
- Festival and visitor guide 2 (www.kankou-shimane.com) ↗
Sources reviewed: .