Shimane in three days: museums or a move to Izumo?
For museums, stay 2 nights in Matsue and make a Yasugi day trip. For shrine and beach, move to Izumo on day 2. The routes end at different stations. Reach Adachi by shuttle from Yasugi, and collect return numbered tickets before visiting.
Choose a 2 nights, 3 days itinerary
Castle, Adachi gardens and lakeside art museum
Spend 2 nights near Matsue Station. Visit the castle, Adachi gardens and Japanese paintings, then the Shimane Art Museum collection on the final day. Yasugi is a day trip from Matsue.
Castle, Adachi gardens and lakeside art museum →2 nights, 3 days BCastle and shrine, with the beach on the final day
For more time at the shrine and beach, spend 1 night in Matsue, then move to Izumoshi for 1 night.
Castle and shrine, with the beach on the final day →Castle, Adachi gardens and lakeside art museum
Spend 2 nights near Matsue Station. Visit the castle, Adachi gardens and Japanese paintings, then the Shimane Art Museum collection on the final day. Yasugi is a day trip from Matsue.
Day 1 · Castle keep, then stay in Matsue
Castle keep, then stay in Matsue
- 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 · Adachi Museum return trip using the free Yasugi shuttle
Adachi Museum return trip using the free Yasugi shuttle
- Matsue Station and hotel → Yasugi shuttle stop
From Matsue Station, take a Yonago-bound JR local train to Yasugi. The free Adachi shuttle stop is about 15 metres to the right outside the station building. Allow platform and exit transfer time between the JR arrival and shuttle departure.
Dynamic journey searchMore transport and operating information
- Yasugi Station → Adachi Museum of Art
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to the museum. It seats 25 on a first-come basis; arriving by JR does not secure a seat. If full, choose the next free service or the official paid Yellow Bus and add its fare to the subtotal.
- Adachi Museum entrance → Return shuttle ticket and museum visit
After entering, first collect a numbered return-shuttle ticket for each person at the entrance counter. Arrange the garden, Japanese paintings and lunch around the return service secured. The museum recommends at least 2 hours for a visit, with ticket and meal queues extra. Check annex closures too.
More transport and operating informationOpen Adachi Museum’s official guide
- Adachi Museum of Art → Matsue hotel
Return to Yasugi on the shuttle indicated by your numbered tickets, then take JR towards Matsue. If you cannot secure a free return, check the paid Yellow Bus. Its stop is about a 2-minute walk from the museum, and it adds JPY 200 one way. Stay in Matsue and check JR connections for your selected return service.
More transport and operating informationDynamic journey search
Day 3 · Collection exhibition, then Matsue Station
Collection exhibition, then Matsue Station
- 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. If closed on Tuesday, move it to an earlier open day or omit the final-day visit. Do not wait for sunset on departure day.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and departure
Walk back along the same path for about 15 minutes to Matsue Station. The final day finishes after the collection exhibition, without waiting for sunset. This route ends at Matsue Station.
Included: The subtotal includes JPY 1,200 for the castle, JPY 2,500 for Adachi, Lake Line buses at JPY 250 × 2 rides, JPY 400 for the art museum and return JR travel to Yasugi at JPY 420 × 2 journeys.
Extra costs and conditions: The subtotal assumes the free Adachi shuttle. The paid Yellow Bus adds JPY 200 one way or JPY 400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport journeys and unlisted JR, private railway or bus journeys cost extra.
Open Matsue Castle’s official guideOpen Adachi Museum’s official guideMore transport and operating informationOfficial English hours, admission and walkDynamic journey search
Castle and shrine, with the beach on the final day
For more time at the shrine and beach, spend 1 night in Matsue, then move to Izumoshi for 1 night.
Day 1 · Keep visit and the first night in Matsue
Keep visit and the first night in Matsue
- 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 · Move to Izumo for the shrine and Shinmondori
Move to Izumo for the shrine and Shinmondori
- Matsue hotel → Izumoshi Station and new hotel
Move from Matsue to Izumoshi by JR. Stay in Izumoshi and visit the shrine and Shinmondori today. Choose a bus that leaves enough time for both the city transfer and shrine visit, rather than a tight connection immediately after the train arrives.
- 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 3 · Inasa-no-Hama, then depart from Izumoshi
Inasa-no-Hama, then depart from Izumoshi
- 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 JPY 1,200 for the castle, Lake Line buses at JPY 250 × 2 rides, buses via AEON Mall at JPY 510 × 4 rides and JPY 590 for JR travel from Matsue to Izumoshi.
Extra costs and conditions: 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.
Open Matsue Castle’s official guideMore transport and operating informationIchibata Taisha Line current timetable and faresDynamic journey search
Frequently asked questions
How do you return if Adachi’s free shuttle is full?
The free shuttle is first come, with no reservations. Collect numbered return tickets on entering and choose your service. If the free return is full, check the paid Yellow Bus towards Yasugi. It costs JPY 200 one way, adding JPY 400 if used both ways; this is excluded from the basic subtotal. Recheck travel-date schedules and seat availability.
How do you reach Izumo Taisha from Izumoshi Station?
From stand 1 outside JR Izumoshi’s north exit, take a bus via AEON Mall towards Izumo Taisha or Hinomisaki and alight at Seimon-mae. Allow time from the JR platform to the exit and bus stand, and choose the return from Seimon-mae to Izumoshi too. Follow operator notices for event-related stop changes.
Ichibata Taisha Line current timetable and faresSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 October
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 ·
- Open Adachi Museum’s official guide ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- Museum FAQ ·
- Official English hours, admission and walk ·
- Current opening and admission guide ·
- Shimane tourism beach guide ·
- Dynamic journey search ·
- 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 ·