Shimane in 4 nights / 5 days: one hotel or two cities?
To keep one hotel, stay four Matsue nights and make separate trips to Yasugi and Izumo. To spread shrine and beach visits across two days, you can start with two Izumo nights before moving to Matsue.
Choose a 5 days / 4 nights itinerary
Gardens, shrine, art and history from Matsue
Stay four nights near Matsue Station. Avoid moving hotels, with more Yasugi/Izumo JR return journeys instead.
Gardens, shrine, art and history from Matsue →5 days / 4 nights BFrom Izumo beach to Matsue gardens and art
Stay two Izumoshi nights, then two Matsue nights. Start with shrine/beach, then castle, Adachi and prefectural art. Choose this hotel move and beach walks in place of A’s Izumo day trip and History Museum visit.
From Izumo beach to Matsue gardens and art →Gardens, shrine, art and history from Matsue
Stay four nights near Matsue Station. Avoid moving hotels, with more Yasugi/Izumo JR return journeys instead.
Day 1: keep and first Matsue night
Visit the keep and spend your first night in Matsue.
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle stop
Take Lakeline from Matsue Station stand 7 to Kokuhou Matsue-jo (Otemae), 国宝松江城（大手前）. Follow castle signs from the stop to the keep entrance. Check the current timetable for your return to the station too.
- Matsue Castle stop → Keep and lunch
Follow park signs through Honmaru to the keep entrance. Walking from the stop is extra. Allow a suggested 90 minutes including interior stairs and removing shoes, plus about 60 for castle-area lunch/rest. Follow facility reception deadlines. If adding History Museum on day five, compare conditions for the 1,520-yen castle/history combined ticket.
Official Matsue Castle informationMore transport and operating information
- Matsue Castle → Matsue hotel
Board Lakeline at the same stop, continuing in the same loop direction to Matsue Station. This differs from regular buses by the prefectural offices; the return follows the remaining loop after the castle. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 2: Yasugi gardens then Matsue return
View the gardens in Yasugi, then return to Matsue.
- Matsue Station and hotel → Yasugi shuttle stop
Take a Yonago-bound ordinary JR train from Matsue to Yasugi. The free Adachi shuttle stop is about 15 metres to the right outside the station building. Choose services allowing platform/exit access between JR arrival and shuttle departure.
Dynamic journey resultsMore transport and operating information
- Yasugi Station → Adachi Museum of Art
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to Adachi. Its 25 seats are first come, first served; JR arrival does not secure a seat. If full, choose the next free service or official paid Yellow Bus, adding paid fares to the partial total.
- Adachi entrance → Return-shuttle tickets and visit
On entry, first collect return-shuttle numbered tickets for everyone at the entrance counter. Divide gardens, Japanese paintings and lunch around your secured return. The museum recommends at least two hours; ticketing and meal queues are extra. Check annex closure conditions too.
More transport and operating informationOfficial Adachi Museum information
- Adachi Museum of Art → Matsue hotel
Take the shuttle shown on your ticket to Yasugi, then Matsue-bound JR. If no free return is available, check paid Yellow Bus: about two minutes’ walk from the museum to the stop, adding 200 yen one way. Stay in Matsue; look up JR to fit your chosen return.
More transport and operating informationDynamic journey results
Day 3: shrine then Matsue via Izumoshi
Visit the shrine, then return to Matsue via Izumoshi.
- Matsue hotel → Izumoshi Station
Take JR Sanin Line towards Izumoshi from Matsue. Go to north-exit stand 1 and transfer to the shrine bus. As this is a Matsue day return, look up the return bus and Matsue-bound JR together.
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From JR Izumoshi’s north exit stand 1, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via Aeon Mall to Seimon-mae (正門前). Adults pay 510 yen one way or 1,020 return; do not apply this fare to Youme Town services. Events may change stops/times; check current operator notices and returns together.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable/faresRegular 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 Seidamari’s large torii, then follow the approach, Harae Bridge and pine-lined path into the grounds. Allow a suggested 75–90 minutes for the shrine and about 60 for Shinmon-dori lunch. The area behind the main hall closes at 16:30; Treasure Hall is excluded. Entrance walking and food-order queues are extra.
Walk to main gate and approach guidanceMore transport and operating information
- Shrine and Shinmon-dori → Matsue hotel
Take an Izumoshi-bound bus via Aeon Mall from Seimon-mae after worship/lunch, then transfer to Matsue-bound JR and return to your Matsue hotel.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12thDynamic journey results
Day 4: Shimane Art Museum and lakeside
View Shimane Art Museum’s collections and walk beside the lake.
- Matsue Station and hotel → Shimane Art Museum
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to Shimane Art Museum. Visit collections, then return by the same route.
- Art museum entrance → Collections
After the 10:00 opening, allow 60–90 minutes for collections. For a Tuesday closure, change to another open date or omit interiors. Special exhibitions are excluded. Allow extra time to rest by the lake or have lunch afterwards. A lakeside walk does not necessarily coincide with sunset.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and hotel
Return the same way, about 15 minutes on foot to Matsue Station. Stay in Matsue again tonight.
Day 5: History Museum then station return
Visit the History Museum, then return to the station.
- Matsue Station and hotel → Matsue History Museum
Take Lakeline from Matsue stand 7 to stop ⑧, boat boarding/History Museum-mae. Walk about three minutes to the museum.
- History Museum entrance → Permanent exhibitions
Allow 60–90 minutes for permanent exhibitions. For a Monday closure, swap open dates with the art museum.
- Matsue History Museum → Matsue Station and hotel
Walk about three minutes back to the same stop, then continue in Lakeline’s loop direction to Matsue Station. Allow time to prepare for your departure after reaching the station. This course ends at Matsue Station.
Included: Castle/history combined ticket 1,520 yen or individual tickets 1,900 + Adachi 2,500 + art collections 400 + Lakeline 250 × 4 + Aeon-route bus 510 × 2 + Yasugi JR 420 × 2 + Izumoshi JR 590 × 2.
Extra costs and conditions: The castle/history ticket covers permanent exhibitions and is valid ten days from first use. Total with it: 8,460 yen; with individual tickets: 8,840. Deduct 400 if omitting art collections. Adachi uses the free shuttle; Yellow Bus adds 200 one way or 400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport travel, special exhibitions and unlisted transport/activities are extra. Paid prayers, Treasure Hall and other separately charged options are excluded.
Tourism information on combined-ticket validityHistory Museum hours and feesOfficial Matsue Castle informationOfficial Adachi Museum informationHorikawa operatorMore transport and operating informationCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable/faresDynamic journey resultsOfficial English hours, fees and walking accessMuseum FAQCurrent hours and fees
From Izumo beach to Matsue gardens and art
Stay two Izumoshi nights, then two Matsue nights. Start with shrine/beach, then castle, Adachi and prefectural art. Choose this hotel move and beach walks in place of A’s Izumo day trip and History Museum visit.
Day 1: Izumo worship and Shinmon-dori
Worship at Izumo Taisha and walk Shinmon-dori.
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From JR Izumoshi’s north exit stand 1, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via Aeon Mall to Seimon-mae (正門前). Adults pay 510 yen one way or 1,020 return; do not apply this fare to Youme Town services. Events may change stops/times; check current operator notices and returns together.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable/faresRegular 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 Seidamari’s large torii, then follow the approach, Harae Bridge and pine-lined path into the grounds. Allow a suggested 75–90 minutes for the shrine and about 60 for Shinmon-dori lunch. The area behind the main hall closes at 16:30; Treasure Hall is excluded. Entrance walking and food-order queues are extra.
Walk to main gate and approach guidanceMore transport and operating information
- Shrine and Shinmon-dori → Izumoshi hotel
Return from Seimon-mae on an Izumoshi Station-bound bus via Aeon Mall, choosing a service after worship and lunch. Stay in Izumoshi tonight.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
Day 2: beach return and another Izumo night
Return from the beach and spend another night in Izumo.
- Izumoshi Station and hotel → Seimon-mae
From JR Izumoshi’s north exit stand 1, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via Aeon Mall to Seimon-mae (正門前). Adults pay 510 yen one way or 1,020 return; do not apply this fare to Youme Town services. Events may change stops/times; check current operator notices and returns together.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable/faresRegular outward timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
- Seimon-mae → Inasa Beach
Walk about one minute to Seidamari’s large torii, then head west from the shrine-area starting point to Inasa Beach. The 15-minute walk in tourism guidance starts at the shrine; allow extra time from the bus stop. Follow on-site crossing signs. The shrine’s surrounding-area map separately marks beach parking and toilets.
Walk to main gate and approach guidanceShimane tourism beach informationMore transport and operating information
- Beach entrance → Beach walks
Allow a suggested 30–45-minute walk without repeating yesterday’s shrine visit. Omit the beach return in rain, strong winds or when departure leaves too little time.
- Inasa Beach → Izumoshi Station and hotel
Return along the same route towards the shrine gate, then use Seimon-mae’s Izumoshi-bound position. Take an Aeon Mall bus, 510 yen one way. In strong winds or rain, shorten beach walks and return to your Izumoshi hotel.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12thCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable/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 Matsue-bound JR from Izumoshi to move cities. Stay two Matsue nights from today, spending time at the castle after arrival.
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle stop
Take Lakeline from Matsue Station stand 7 to Kokuhou Matsue-jo (Otemae), 国宝松江城（大手前）. Follow castle signs from the stop to the keep entrance. Check the current timetable for your return to the station too.
- Matsue Castle stop → Keep and lunch
Follow park signs through Honmaru to the keep entrance. Walking from the stop is extra. Allow a suggested 90 minutes for the keep, including interior stairs and removing shoes, plus about 60 for castle-area lunch/rest. Follow facility reception deadlines.
Official Matsue Castle informationMore transport and operating information
- Matsue Castle → Matsue hotel
Board Lakeline at the same stop, continuing in the same loop direction to Matsue Station. This differs from regular buses by the prefectural offices; the return follows the remaining loop after the castle. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 4: Yasugi gardens and Japanese paintings
Take a day trip to Yasugi for gardens and Japanese paintings.
- Matsue Station and hotel → Yasugi shuttle stop
Take a Yonago-bound ordinary JR train from Matsue to Yasugi. The free Adachi shuttle stop is about 15 metres to the right outside the station building. Choose services allowing platform/exit access between JR arrival and shuttle departure.
Dynamic journey resultsMore transport and operating information
- Yasugi Station → Adachi Museum of Art
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to Adachi. Its 25 seats are first come, first served; JR arrival does not secure a seat. If full, choose the next free service or official paid Yellow Bus, adding paid fares to the partial total.
- Adachi entrance → Return-shuttle tickets and visit
On entry, first collect return-shuttle numbered tickets for everyone at the entrance counter. Divide gardens, Japanese paintings and lunch around your secured return. The museum recommends at least two hours; ticketing and meal queues are extra. Check annex closure conditions too.
More transport and operating informationOfficial Adachi Museum information
- Adachi Museum of Art → Matsue hotel
Take the shuttle shown on your ticket to Yasugi, then Matsue-bound JR. If no free return is available, check paid Yellow Bus: about two minutes’ walk from the museum to the stop, adding 200 yen one way. Stay in Matsue; look up JR to fit your chosen return.
More transport and operating informationDynamic journey results
Day 5: lakeside collections, finishing in Matsue
View the lakeside collections, then finish in Matsue.
- Matsue Station and hotel → Shimane Art Museum
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to Shimane Art Museum. Visit collections, then return by the same route.
- Art museum entrance → Collections
After the 10:00 opening, allow 60–90 minutes for collections. For Tuesday closure, move to an earlier open day or omit final-day art. Do not wait until sunset on departure day.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and departure
Walk back the same way, about 15 minutes to Matsue Station. On this final day, leave after viewing the collections instead of waiting for sunset. The course ends at Matsue Station.
Included: Castle 1,200 yen + Adachi 2,500 + art museum 400 + Lakeline 250 × 2 + Aeon-route bus 510 × 4 + Izumoshi–Matsue JR 590 + Yasugi JR 420 × 2.
Extra costs and conditions: Uses Adachi’s free shuttle. Yellow Bus adds 200 yen one way or 400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport travel and unlisted JR/private railway/bus journeys are extra. Paid prayers, Treasure Hall and other separately charged options are excluded.
Official Matsue Castle informationOfficial Adachi Museum informationOfficial English hours, fees and walking accessMore transport and operating informationCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable/faresDynamic journey results
Frequently asked questions
How do JR rides differ between an Izumo day trip and staying there?
With four Matsue nights, Day 3 makes the Matsue–Izumoshi–Matsue return. With two Izumo nights and two Matsue nights, Day 3 is a single Izumoshi–Matsue move. Both courses have separate Matsue–Yasugi JR returns for Adachi.
Can I use the castle/history ticket on the first and last days?
The combined ticket is valid ten days from first use, so with four Matsue nights you can visit the castle on Day 1 and permanent history exhibitions on the final day. Check the History Museum’s closures as well as validity. The total is 8,460 yen with the combined ticket or 8,840 with individual admission. Special exhibitions are extra.
Tourism information on combined-ticket validityHistory Museum hours and fees
Official sources and check dates
- Horikawa operator ·
- Official Matsue Castle information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- Official Adachi Museum information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- History Museum hours and fees ·
- Walk from the stop ·
- Tourism information on combined-ticket validity ·
- Museum FAQ ·
- Official English hours, fees and walking access ·
- Current hours and fees ·
- Shimane tourism beach information ·
- Official JR search ·
- Dynamic journey results ·
- Special timetable for the 10th–11th ·
- Special timetable for the 12th ·
- Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable/fares ·
- Walk to main gate and approach guidance ·
- Regular outward timetable ·
- Regular return timetable ·