Shimane in two days: choose Matsue or Izumo
Spend 1 night in Matsue to see the keep and lakeside museum on separate days, or in Izumo to separate shrine and beach. Day 2 of the Matsue route walks between station and museum. Reduce sightseeing if arriving late or leaving early on the final day.
Choose a 1 night, 2 days itinerary
Matsue Castle keep and lakeside art museum
Spend 1 night near Matsue Station. Visit the keep on day 1 and the lakeside collection exhibition on day 2. Use the Lake Line bus both ways for the castle, then walk from the station to the museum and back.
Matsue Castle keep and lakeside art museum →1 night, 2 days BIzumo Taisha, Shinmondori and Inasa-no-Hama beach
Spend 1 night near Izumoshi Station, with the shrine and approach street on day 1 and a beach walk on day 2. This route does not travel to Matsue or Yasugi.
Izumo Taisha, Shinmondori and Inasa-no-Hama beach →Matsue Castle keep and lakeside art museum
Spend 1 night near Matsue Station. Visit the keep on day 1 and the lakeside collection exhibition on day 2. Use the Lake Line bus both ways for the castle, then walk from the station to the museum and back.
Day 1 · Matsue Station → Matsue Castle → Matsue Station
Matsue Station → Matsue Castle → Matsue Station
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle stop
From stand 7 at Matsue Station, take the Lake Line to Kokuho Matsuejo (Otemae) (国宝松江城（大手前）). Follow signs through the castle grounds to the keep entrance. Use the current timetable to choose your return to Matsue Station after the visit too.
- Matsue Castle stop → Keep visit and lunch
Follow park signs through Honmaru to the keep entrance. Walking from the stop to the entrance is extra. As a suggested pace, allow about 90 minutes for the keep, including internal stairs and removing shoes, then about 60 minutes for lunch and a rest nearby. Follow the facility’s admission deadline.
Open Matsue Castle’s official guideMore transport and operating information
- Matsue Castle → Matsue hotel
Return to the same stop and board the Lake Line in its continuing circular direction towards Matsue Station. This differs from ordinary buses at Kencho-mae and completes the remaining loop after the castle. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 2 · Shimane Art Museum and the lakeside
Collection exhibition at Shimane Art Museum, then a lakeside walk
- Matsue Station and hotel → Shimane Art Museum
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to Shimane Art Museum. After seeing the collection exhibition, return to the station along the same path.
- Museum entrance → Collection exhibition
After the 10:00 opening, allow 60–90 minutes for the collection exhibition. If it is closed on Tuesday, move the visit to another open day or omit the interior. Special exhibitions are excluded from this route. Allow separate time for lakeside rest or lunch afterwards. This walk does not guarantee a sunset view.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and departure
Walk back along the same path for about 15 minutes. This route ends at Matsue Station.
Included: The subtotal includes JPY 1,200 for Matsue Castle, Lake Line buses at JPY 250 × 2 rides and JPY 400 for the art museum collection.
Extra costs and conditions: The subtotal is JPY 2,100 with the collection exhibition, or JPY 1,700 if you omit it because of a closure or other reason. Walk both ways between station and museum; no extra bus fare is counted. Special exhibitions, accommodation, meals, airport journeys and unlisted transport or activities cost extra.
Open Matsue Castle’s official guideMore transport and operating informationOfficial English hours, admission and walkMuseum FAQCurrent opening and admission guide
Izumo Taisha, Shinmondori and Inasa-no-Hama beach
Spend 1 night near Izumoshi Station, with the shrine and approach street on day 1 and a beach walk on day 2. This route does not travel to Matsue or Yasugi.
Day 1 · Izumoshi Station → Izumo Taisha and Shinmondori → Izumoshi Station
Izumoshi Station → Izumo Taisha and Shinmondori → Izumoshi Station
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From stand 1 outside JR Izumoshi Station’s north exit, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via AEON Mall to Seimon-mae (正門前). Adult fare is JPY 510 one way or JPY 1,020 return; do not apply it to buses via Youme Town. Events can change stops and times, so check current operator notices and return services together.
Ichibata Taisha Line current timetable and faresRegular outward timetableSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
- Seimon-mae → Shrine and Shinmondori
Walk about 1 minute from the stop to the Seidamari main torii, then follow the approach, Harae Bridge and pine-lined path into the grounds. Suggested time is 75–90 minutes for the shrine and about 60 minutes for lunch on Shinmondori. The area behind the main sanctuary closes at 16:30; the treasure hall is excluded. Entrance walking and food queues are extra.
Walk to the main entrance and approach guideMore transport and operating information
- Shrine and Shinmondori → Izumoshi hotel
From Seimon-mae, return on an Izumoshi Station-bound bus via AEON Mall. Choose a return service after worship and lunch. Stay in Izumoshi tonight.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
Day 2 · Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae → Inasa-no-Hama → Izumoshi Station
Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae → Inasa-no-Hama → Izumoshi Station
- Izumoshi Station and hotel → Seimon-mae
From stand 1 outside JR Izumoshi Station’s north exit, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via AEON Mall to Seimon-mae (正門前). Adult fare is JPY 510 one way or JPY 1,020 return; do not apply it to buses via Youme Town. Events can change stops and times, so check current operator notices and return services together.
Ichibata Taisha Line current timetable and faresRegular outward timetableSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
- Seimon-mae → Inasa-no-Hama
Walk about 1 minute to the Seidamari main torii, then head west from the shrine towards Inasa-no-Hama. The tourism guide’s roughly 15-minute walk starts at the shrine, not when your bus arrives. Follow local signs for crossings. The shrine’s surrounding-area map also marks beach parking and toilets.
Walk to the main entrance and approach guideShimane tourism beach guideMore transport and operating information
- Beach entrance → Beach walk
Allow a suggested 30–45 minutes for the beach walk without repeating yesterday’s shrine visit. Omit the beach return trip in rain, strong wind or if there is too little time before departure.
- Inasa-no-Hama → Izumoshi Station and hotel
Retrace the path towards the shrine’s main entrance and reach the Izumoshi-bound boarding point at Seimon-mae. Take the bus via AEON Mall for JPY 510 one way. Shorten the beach trip in wind or rain, or if departure time is tight. This route ends at Izumoshi Station.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 OctoberIchibata Taisha Line current timetable and fares
Included: The subtotal includes buses via AEON Mall at JPY 510 × 4 rides and a free beach walk.
Extra costs and conditions: Four bus rides cost JPY 2,040. Omitting the day 2 beach trip leaves the first day’s JPY 1,020 return fare. Accommodation, meals, airport journeys and unlisted JR, private railway or bus journeys cost extra. Separate paid choices such as prayer services and the treasure hall are excluded.
Ichibata Taisha Line current timetable and faresShimane tourism beach guide
Frequently asked questions
Can you follow the same route after an afternoon arrival?
Reduce sightseeing to fit your arrival. Matsue Castle keep reception ends at 16:30 in October–March, and Izumo Taisha’s rear main-sanctuary area also closes at 16:30. Choose a place leaving time to visit and return before its deadline; otherwise move it to the next day.
Open Matsue Castle’s official guideMore transport and operating information
What if the art museum is closed during the one-night Matsue route?
Shimane Art Museum normally closes Tuesdays. A Japanese public holiday on Tuesday means it opens then and closes the next day. Exhibition schedules can alter closing dates, so arrange castle and museum order around the visit-date calendar. Omitting the collection deducts JPY 400, leaving JPY 1,700; seeing both gives JPY 2,100. Accommodation, meals, airport journeys and special exhibitions cost extra. Walk both ways from Matsue Station to the museum.
Official English hours, admission and walkMuseum FAQCurrent opening and admission guideOpen Matsue Castle’s official guideMore transport and operating information
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Open Matsue Castle’s official guide ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- Museum FAQ ·
- Official English hours, admission and walk ·
- Current opening and admission guide ·
- Shimane tourism beach guide ·
- Special timetable for 10–11 October ·
- Special timetable for 12 October ·
- Ichibata Taisha Line current timetable and fares ·
- Walk to the main entrance and approach guide ·
- Regular outward timetable ·
- Regular return timetable ·