Shimane in five days: one hotel or stays in two cities?
Stay 4 nights in Matsue and make separate Yasugi and Izumo trips if you prefer one hotel. For shrine and beach on different days, another option starts with 2 nights in Izumo before moving to Matsue.
Choose a 4 nights, 5 days itinerary
Gardens, shrine, exhibitions and history, based in Matsue
Spend 4 nights near Matsue Station. Staying in one place means more return JR journeys to Yasugi and Izumoshi.
Gardens, shrine, exhibitions and history, based in Matsue →4 nights, 5 days BFrom Izumo’s beach to Matsue’s gardens and art
Spend 2 nights in Izumoshi, then 2 in Matsue. Start with shrine and beach, then visit Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum and Shimane Art Museum. Choose a hotel move and beach walk instead of option A’s Izumo day trip and History Museum.
From Izumo’s beach to Matsue’s gardens and art →Gardens, shrine, exhibitions and history, based in Matsue
Spend 4 nights near Matsue Station. Staying in one place means more return JR journeys to Yasugi and Izumoshi.
Day 1 · Keep visit and first night in Matsue
Keep visit and 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. If visiting the History Museum on day 5, compare the conditions of the JPY 1,520 castle and history joint ticket.
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 · Yasugi gardens, then back to Matsue
Yasugi gardens, then back to Matsue
- 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 · Shrine visit, then back to Matsue via Izumoshi Station
Shrine visit, then back to Matsue via Izumoshi Station
- Matsue hotel → Izumoshi Station
Take the JR Sanin Line from Matsue towards Izumoshi. Go to stand 1 outside Izumoshi Station’s north exit and change to a shrine-bound bus. This is a day trip returning to Matsue, so check both the return bus and Matsue-bound JR train.
- 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 → Matsue hotel
Return from Seimon-mae on an Izumoshi Station-bound bus via AEON Mall after worship and lunch. Change at Izumoshi Station to JR towards Matsue and return to your Matsue hotel.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 OctoberDynamic journey search
Day 4 · 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 hotel
Walk back along the same path for about 15 minutes to Matsue Station. Stay in Matsue again tonight.
Day 5 · Matsue History Museum, then back to the station
Matsue History Museum, then back to the station
- Matsue Station and hotel → Matsue History Museum
From stand 7 at Matsue Station, take the Lake Line to stop ⑧, the boat landing and history museum stop. Walk about 3 minutes to Matsue History Museum.
- History Museum entrance → Main exhibition
Allow 60–90 minutes for the main exhibition. If closed on Monday, swap this day with an open date for the art museum visit.
- Matsue History Museum → Matsue Station and hotel
After the visit, walk about 3 minutes back to the same stop and take the Lake Line in its circular direction to Matsue Station. Allow preparation time after reaching the station when choosing your departure. This route ends at Matsue Station.
Included: The subtotal includes a JPY 1,520 castle and history joint ticket or JPY 1,900 for separate tickets, JPY 2,500 for Adachi, JPY 400 for the art museum collection, Lake Line buses at JPY 250 × 4 rides, buses via AEON Mall at JPY 510 × 2 rides, return JR travel to Yasugi at JPY 420 × 2 journeys and return JR travel to Izumoshi at JPY 590 × 2 journeys.
Extra costs and conditions: The joint ticket covers the keep and main history exhibition for 10 days from first use. The subtotal is JPY 8,460 with it, or JPY 8,840 with separate tickets. Deduct JPY 400 if omitting the art museum interior. Adachi uses the free shuttle; Yellow Bus adds JPY 200 one way or JPY 400 return. Accommodation, meals, airport journeys, special exhibitions and unlisted transport or activities cost extra. Separate paid choices such as prayer services and the treasure hall are excluded.
Tourism guide: joint ticket validityHistory Museum hours and admissionOpen Matsue Castle’s official guideOpen Adachi Museum’s official guideHorikawa operatorMore transport and operating informationIchibata Taisha Line current timetable and faresDynamic journey searchOfficial English hours, admission and walkMuseum FAQCurrent opening and admission guide
From Izumo’s beach to Matsue’s gardens and art
Spend 2 nights in Izumoshi, then 2 in Matsue. Start with shrine and beach, then visit Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum and Shimane Art Museum. Choose a hotel move and beach walk instead of option A’s Izumo day trip and History Museum.
Day 1 · Izumo worship and Shinmondori
Izumo worship and Shinmondori
- 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 · Beach trip, then another night in Izumo
Beach trip, then another night in Izumo
- 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 the Izumoshi-bound boarding point at Seimon-mae. Return by bus via AEON Mall for JPY 510 one way. In strong wind or rain, shorten the beach walk and return to your Izumoshi hotel.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for 10–11 OctoberSpecial timetable for 12 OctoberIchibata Taisha Line current timetable and fares
Day 3 · Move to Matsue and visit the keep
Move to Matsue and visit the keep
- Izumoshi hotel → Matsue Station and new hotel
Move from Izumoshi to Matsue by JR. Stay in Matsue for the next 2 nights and visit the castle after arrival.
- 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 4 · Yasugi gardens and Japanese paintings return trip
Yasugi gardens and Japanese paintings return trip
- 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 5 · Lakeside collection exhibition, ending in Matsue
Lakeside collection exhibition, ending in Matsue
- 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, JPY 400 for the art museum, Lake Line buses at JPY 250 × 2 rides, buses via AEON Mall at JPY 510 × 4 rides, JPY 590 for JR travel from Izumoshi to Matsue 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. Separate paid choices such as prayer services and the treasure hall are excluded.
Open Matsue Castle’s official guideOpen Adachi Museum’s official guideOfficial English hours, admission and walkMore transport and operating informationIchibata Taisha Line current timetable and faresDynamic journey search
Frequently asked questions
How do JR journeys differ between an Izumo day trip and staying there?
With 4 nights in Matsue, day 3 travels Matsue → Izumoshi → Matsue. With 2 nights each in Izumo and Matsue, day 3 moves once from Izumoshi to Matsue. Both routes separately use return Matsue–Yasugi JR on the Adachi day.
Can you use the castle and history joint ticket on the first and final days?
The joint ticket is valid for 10 days from first use, so the four-night Matsue route can use it for the castle on day 1 and main history exhibition on the final day. Check History Museum closures as well as ticket validity. The subtotal is JPY 8,460 with the joint ticket or JPY 8,840 with separate admission; special exhibitions cost extra.
Tourism guide: joint ticket validityHistory Museum hours and admission
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Horikawa operator ·
- 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 ·
- History Museum hours and admission ·
- Walk from the stop ·
- Tourism guide: joint ticket validity ·
- Museum FAQ ·
- Official English hours, admission and walk ·
- Current opening and admission guide ·
- Shimane tourism beach guide ·
- JR official journey planner entry ·
- 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 ·