Travel in Shimane
Matsue Horikawa sightseeing boat
Matsue Horikawa sightseeing boat · Horikawa Sightseeing Boat · 堀川遊覧船
Matsue Horikawa boats follow waterways around the castle. See the town close to water level and pass beneath low bridges.
Sources and dates checked Sources and dates checked Sources and dates checked
Visitor information at a glance
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
View location on the map →Admission
A one-day ticket costs JPY 2,000 for adults, JPY 1,600 for junior and senior high school students, JPY 1,000 for primary pupils or JPY 500 for preschool children. One preschool child per adult travels free. For groups of 20 or more, tickets cost JPY 1,800 for adults, JPY 1,500 for junior and senior high school students or JPY 900 for primary pupils. Tickets allow repeat rides that day; queues may occur.
Opening hours and closed days
The first boat leaves at 09:00. The last departure is at 17:00 in March–September and at 16:00 in October–February. Departures are roughly every 20–30 minutes at Fureai Hiroba and 15–20 minutes at Otemae Hiroba; a full circuit takes about 50 minutes. Reception ends 10 minutes before operations finish, or 20 minutes before at Karakoro Hiroba. There is no regular closing day, but weather, water levels and route changes may suspend or alter services.
What can I see at Matsue Horikawa sightseeing boat?
Matsue seen from a boat
This sightseeing boat travels around the castle area close to water level. Choose it for a view of Matsue from its waterways.
Passing under low bridges
Some low bridges require you to duck. Follow the crew’s instructions as the boat passes underneath.
How to get to Matsue Horikawa sightseeing boat
Take the Lake Line from JR Matsue to Otemae Horikawa boat landing and history museum stop, 大手前堀川遊覧船乗場・歴史館前. Reach Otemae Hiroba reception, 大手前広場乗船場, inside the castle’s Otemae car park. This differs from Fureai Hiroba, where reserved groups of 10 or more must board. Check local signs for the stop-to-reception crossings, entrances and walk time.
Horikawa operator More transport and operating information Operator’s boat landing map Reservations and full-circuit boat guide City boat landing location and plan City plan of Otemae reception
Before you visit
Check the landing name
Small parties normally need no reservation. Reserved parties of 10 or more board at Fureai Hiroba, a different landing from Otemae Hiroba. Check your boarding point before setting out.
Reservations and full-circuit boat guide Operator’s boat landing map
Finding Otemae reception
Otemae Hiroba reception is inside Matsue Castle’s Otemae car park. Follow local signs for crossings and entrances from the bus stop. This walk time has not been confirmed.
City boat landing location and plan City plan of Otemae reception
Boarding at Karakoro Hiroba
Karakoro Hiroba has no scheduled departures. Board a passing boat if seats are available; reception ends 20 minutes before operations finish.
Operator’s boat landing map Reservations and full-circuit boat guide
Questions about Matsue Horikawa sightseeing boat
Do you need to reserve Horikawa boats in advance?
Small parties normally need no reservation. Reserved groups of 10 or more board at Fureai Hiroba. Check visit-date notices, as weather and water levels can change operations.
Reservations and full-circuit boat guide Operator’s boat landing map Horikawa operator
Sources and dates checked
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Horikawa operator ·
- Operator’s boat landing map ·
- Reservations and full-circuit boat guide ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- City boat landing location and plan ·
- City plan of Otemae reception ·
Editorial review: