Four nights: one hotel or stays in two cities?
Stay four nights in Matsue and take separate Yasugi and Izumo day trips if you prefer one hotel. For two days at the shrine and beach, start with two nights in Izumo, then move to Matsue.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days, 4 nights
Gardens, shrine, art, and history from Matsue
Stay four nights near Matsue Station. Keeping the same hotel means additional JR round trips to Yasugi and Izumo.
Gardens, shrine, art, and history from Matsue →5 days, 4 nights BFrom Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art
Stay two nights in Izumoshi, then two in Matsue. Begin with the shrine and beach, then visit Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum, and the prefectural art museum. Instead of route A's Izumo day trip and history museum, this route moves hotels and adds a beach walk.
From Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art →Gardens, shrine, art, and history from Matsue
Stay four nights near Matsue Station. Keeping the same hotel means additional JR round trips to Yasugi and Izumo.
Day 1 · Castle keep and your first Matsue night
Castle keep and your first Matsue night
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle bus stop
Board the Lakeline at Matsue Station stop 7 and get off at Kokuhō Matsue-jō (Ōtemae) · 国宝松江城（大手前）. Follow the signs through the castle grounds to the keep entrance. Use the current timetable to choose your return service to Matsue Station after sightseeing.
- Matsue Castle bus stop → Castle keep and lunch
Follow park signs through the Honmaru to the keep entrance. The walk from the bus stop takes additional time. As a planning suggestion, allow about 90 minutes for the keep, including interior stairs and removing shoes, plus about 60 minutes for lunch and a break nearby. Follow the facility's admission deadline. If you also visit the history museum on day 5, check the conditions for the ¥1,520 castle/history museum combined ticket.
Official Matsue Castle guideMore transport and operating details
- Matsue Castle → Matsue lodging
At the stop where you arrived, board the Lakeline in the same loop direction to return to Matsue Station. It differs from ordinary buses at the prefectural office and returns via the remaining loop after the castle. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 2 · Yasugi gardens, then return to Matsue
Yasugi gardens, then return to Matsue
- Matsue Station and lodging → Yasugi shuttle stop
Take a Yonago-bound JR local train from Matsue to Yasugi Station. Adachi Museum's free shuttle stop is about 15 meters to the right outside the station building. Choose services that leave time to walk from the JR platform through the exit before the shuttle departs.
- Yasugi Station · 安来駅 → Adachi Museum of Art · 足立美術館
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to Adachi Museum. It seats 25 people on a first-come basis, so arriving by JR does not guarantee 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 sightseeing
On entering, first collect a return-shuttle boarding ticket for each person at the entrance counter. Plan your garden and Japanese painting visits and lunch around the return service you secure. The museum recommends at least two hours for a visit; allow extra time for ticket and meal lines. Check closure conditions for the new annex too.
More transport and operating detailsOfficial Adachi Museum guide
- Adachi Museum → Matsue lodging
Take the shuttle shown on your boarding ticket back to Yasugi Station, then JR toward Matsue. If you cannot secure a free return service, check the paid Yellow Bus. Its stop is about a two-minute walk from the museum, and it adds ¥200 each way. Stay in Matsue tonight and look up JR connections for your chosen return service.
Day 3 · Shrine visit, then return via Izumoshi Station to Matsue
Shrine visit, then return via Izumoshi Station to Matsue
- Matsue lodging → Izumoshi Station
Take an Izumoshi-bound JR San-in Line train from Matsue. Use north-exit bus stop 1 at Izumoshi Station to transfer to the shrine bus. This is a day trip returning to Matsue, so look up both the return bus and Matsue-bound JR train.
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From stop 1 at JR Izumoshi Station's north exit, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via Aeon Mall and get off at Seimon-mae · 正門前. Adult fare is ¥510 each way or ¥1,020 round trip; do not apply this fare to the Youme Town route. Events may change stops and times, so check current operator notices and return services.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresRegular outbound timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
- Seimon-mae → Shrine and Shinmon-dori
Walk about one minute from the stop to the large Seidamari torii, then follow the approach, Harae Bridge, and pine-lined path into the grounds. As a planning suggestion, allow 75–90 minutes at the shrine and about 60 minutes for lunch on Shinmon-dori. The area behind the main sanctuary closes at 4:30 p.m.; this route excludes the treasure hall. Entrance walks and waits to order food take additional time.
Walk to the main gate and shrine approachMore transport and operating details
- Shrine and Shinmon-dori → Matsue lodging
Return from Seimon-mae on an Izumoshi Station-bound bus via Aeon Mall. Choose a service after your shrine visit and lunch, then transfer at Izumoshi Station to JR toward Matsue and return to your hotel.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12thDynamic journey search
Day 4 · Shimane Art Museum and the lakeshore
Explore the Shimane Art Museum collection and walk by the lake
- Matsue Station and lodging → Shimane Art Museum · 島根県立美術館
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to Shimane Art Museum. After the collection exhibition, return along the same route.
Official English hours, prices, and walking accessMuseum FAQ
- Art museum entrance → Collection exhibition
After the 10 a.m. opening, allow 60–90 minutes for the collection exhibition. If it is closed on Tuesday, choose another opening day or leave out the indoor visit. This route excludes special exhibitions. Allow extra time afterward for a lakeside break or lunch. The lakeshore walk does not guarantee a sunset viewing.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and lodging
Retrace the roughly 15-minute walk to Matsue Station. Stay in Matsue again tonight.
Official English hours, prices, and walking accessMuseum FAQ
Day 5 · Matsue History Museum, then return to the station
Matsue History Museum, then return to the station
- Matsue Station and lodging → Matsue History Museum · 松江歴史館
Take the Lakeline from Matsue Station stop 7 to stop 8, Jōsenjō/Rekishikan-mae (boat boarding point/history museum). Walk about three minutes to Matsue History Museum.
- Museum entrance → Permanent exhibition
Allow 60–90 minutes for the permanent exhibition. If closed on Monday, swap the history museum and prefectural art museum dates to fit opening days.
- Matsue History Museum → Matsue Station and lodging
After your visit, walk about three minutes back to the same stop and take the Lakeline in its loop direction to Matsue Station. Leave preparation time after reaching the station before your departure. This route ends at Matsue Station.
Included: Castle/history museum combined ticket ¥1,520 or separate tickets ¥1,900 + Adachi Museum ¥2,500 + prefectural art museum collection ¥400 + four Lakeline rides at ¥250 each + two Aeon Mall-route bus rides at ¥510 each + two Yasugi JR trips at ¥420 each + two Izumoshi JR trips at ¥590 each.
Extra costs and conditions: The castle/history museum combined ticket is valid for 10 days from first use and covers the permanent exhibition. The subtotal is ¥8,460 with it or ¥8,840 with separate tickets. Subtract ¥400 if you omit the prefectural art museum's indoor visit. Adachi uses the free shuttle; paid Yellow Bus travel adds ¥200 each way or ¥400 round trip. Lodging, meals, airport transfers, special exhibitions, and unlisted transport and activities cost extra. Paid options such as formal prayers and the treasure hall are excluded.
Tourism agency combined-ticket validityHistory museum hours and pricesOfficial Matsue Castle guideOfficial Adachi Museum guideHorikawa boat operatorMore transport and operating detailsCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresDynamic journey searchOfficial English hours, prices, and walking accessMuseum FAQCurrent opening and price guide
From Izumo's beach to Matsue's gardens and art
Stay two nights in Izumoshi, then two in Matsue. Begin with the shrine and beach, then visit Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum, and the prefectural art museum. Instead of route A's Izumo day trip and history museum, this route moves hotels and adds a beach walk.
Day 1 · Izumo shrine visit and Shinmon-dori
Izumo shrine visit and Shinmon-dori
- Izumoshi Station → Seimon-mae
From stop 1 at JR Izumoshi Station's north exit, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via Aeon Mall and get off at Seimon-mae · 正門前. Adult fare is ¥510 each way or ¥1,020 round trip; do not apply this fare to the Youme Town route. Events may change stops and times, so check current operator notices and return services.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresRegular outbound timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
- Seimon-mae → Shrine and Shinmon-dori
Walk about one minute from the stop to the large Seidamari torii, then follow the approach, Harae Bridge, and pine-lined path into the grounds. As a planning suggestion, allow 75–90 minutes at the shrine and about 60 minutes for lunch on Shinmon-dori. The area behind the main sanctuary closes at 4:30 p.m.; this route excludes the treasure hall. Entrance walks and waits to order food take additional time.
Walk to the main gate and shrine approachMore transport and operating details
- Shrine and Shinmon-dori → Izumoshi lodging
Return from Seimon-mae on an Izumoshi Station-bound bus via Aeon Mall. Choose a return service after your shrine visit and lunch. Stay in Izumoshi tonight.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
Day 2 · Beach visit and another night in Izumo
Beach visit and another night in Izumo
- Izumoshi Station and lodging → Seimon-mae
From stop 1 at JR Izumoshi Station's north exit, take an Izumo Taisha-bound bus via Aeon Mall and get off at Seimon-mae · 正門前. Adult fare is ¥510 each way or ¥1,020 round trip; do not apply this fare to the Youme Town route. Events may change stops and times, so check current operator notices and return services.
Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresRegular outbound timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12th
- Seimon-mae → Inasa-no-hama Beach · 稲佐の浜
Walk about one minute to the large Seidamari torii, then head west from the shrine-side starting point to Inasa-no-hama. The tourism agency's roughly 15-minute walk measures shrine to beach, not time from bus arrival. Follow on-site signs for crossings. The shrine's surrounding-area map separately marks beach parking and restrooms.
Walk to the main gate and shrine approachShimane tourism agency beach guideMore transport and operating details
- Beach entrance → Beach walk
Allow 30–45 minutes for a walk as a planning suggestion, without repeating the previous day's shrine visit. Skip the beach round trip in rain or strong wind, or if there is too little time before departure.
- Inasa-no-hama Beach → Izumoshi Station and lodging
Retrace the route to the shrine's main gate, then find the Izumoshi Station-bound boarding point at Seimon-mae. Return via Aeon Mall for ¥510 each way. In strong wind or rain, shorten the beach walk and return to your Izumoshi hotel.
Regular return timetableSpecial timetable for the 10th–11thSpecial timetable for the 12thCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares
Day 3 · Move to Matsue and visit the castle keep
Move to Matsue and visit the castle keep
- Izumoshi lodging → Matsue Station and new lodging
Take JR toward Matsue from Izumoshi Station to change cities. Stay two nights in Matsue from today, and visit the castle after arriving.
- Matsue Station → Matsue Castle bus stop
Board the Lakeline at Matsue Station stop 7 and get off at Kokuhō Matsue-jō (Ōtemae) · 国宝松江城（大手前）. Follow the signs through the castle grounds to the keep entrance. Use the current timetable to choose your return service to Matsue Station after sightseeing.
- Matsue Castle bus stop → Castle keep and lunch
Follow the park signs through the Honmaru to the keep entrance. The walk from the bus stop takes additional time. As a planning suggestion, allow about 90 minutes for the keep, including interior stairs and removing shoes, plus about 60 minutes for lunch and a break nearby. Follow the facility's admission deadline.
Official Matsue Castle guideMore transport and operating details
- Matsue Castle → Matsue lodging
At the stop where you arrived, board the Lakeline in the same loop direction to return to Matsue Station. It differs from ordinary buses at the prefectural office and returns via the remaining loop after the castle. Stay in Matsue tonight.
Day 4 · Yasugi round trip for gardens and Japanese paintings
Yasugi round trip for gardens and Japanese paintings
- Matsue Station and lodging → Yasugi shuttle stop
Take a Yonago-bound JR local train from Matsue to Yasugi Station. Adachi Museum's free shuttle stop is about 15 meters to the right outside the station building. Choose services that leave time to walk from the JR platform through the exit before the shuttle departs.
- Yasugi Station · 安来駅 → Adachi Museum of Art · 足立美術館
The free shuttle takes about 20 minutes to Adachi Museum. It seats 25 people on a first-come basis, so arriving by JR does not guarantee 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 sightseeing
On entering, first collect a return-shuttle boarding ticket for each person at the entrance counter. Plan your garden and Japanese painting visits and lunch around the return service you secure. The museum recommends at least two hours for a visit; allow extra time for ticket and meal lines. Check closure conditions for the new annex too.
More transport and operating detailsOfficial Adachi Museum guide
- Adachi Museum → Matsue lodging
Take the shuttle shown on your boarding ticket back to Yasugi Station, then JR toward Matsue. If you cannot secure a free return service, check the paid Yellow Bus. Its stop is about a two-minute walk from the museum, and it adds ¥200 each way. Stay in Matsue tonight and look up JR connections for your chosen return service.
Day 5 · Lakeside collection exhibition, then finish in Matsue
Lakeside collection exhibition, then finish in Matsue
- Matsue Station and lodging → Shimane Art Museum · 島根県立美術館
Walk about 15 minutes from Matsue Station to Shimane Art Museum. After the collection exhibition, return along the same route.
Official English hours, prices, and walking accessMuseum FAQ
- Art museum entrance → Collection exhibition
After the 10 a.m. opening, allow 60–90 minutes for the collection. If closed on Tuesday, move the visit to an earlier opening day or omit it on the final day. Do not wait for sunset on departure day.
- Shimane Art Museum → Matsue Station and departure
Retrace the roughly 15-minute walk to Matsue Station. This final day leaves after the collection visit rather than waiting for sunset, and ends at Matsue Station.
Official English hours, prices, and walking accessMuseum FAQ
Included: Castle ¥1,200 + Adachi Museum ¥2,500 + prefectural art museum ¥400 + two Lakeline rides at ¥250 each + four Aeon Mall-route bus rides at ¥510 each + Izumoshi→Matsue JR ¥590 + two Yasugi JR trips at ¥420 each.
Extra costs and conditions: Based on Adachi's free shuttle. The paid Yellow Bus adds ¥200 each way or ¥400 round trip. Lodging, meals, airport transfers, and unlisted JR, private railway, and bus travel cost extra. Paid options such as formal prayers and the treasure hall are excluded.
Official Matsue Castle guideOfficial Adachi Museum guideOfficial English hours, prices, and walking accessMore transport and operating detailsCurrent Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and faresDynamic journey search
Frequently asked questions
How do JR trips differ between an Izumo day trip and staying there?
Four nights in Matsue includes a Matsue→Izumoshi→Matsue round trip on day 3. With two nights each in Izumo and Matsue, day 3 is a one-way move from Izumoshi to Matsue. Both routes also have a separate Matsue–Yasugi JR round trip on the Adachi Museum day.
Can I use the castle/history museum ticket on the first and last days?
The ticket is valid for 10 days from first use, so on the four-night Matsue route you can use it for the castle on day 1 and the history museum's permanent exhibition on the final day. Check history museum closures as well as validity. The subtotal is ¥8,460 with the combined ticket or ¥8,840 with separate admission; special exhibitions cost extra.
Tourism agency combined-ticket validityHistory museum hours and prices
Official sources and checked dates
- Horikawa boat operator ·
- Official Matsue Castle guide ·
- More transport and operating details ·
- More transport and operating details ·
- More transport and operating details ·
- Official Adachi Museum guide ·
- More transport and operating details ·
- History museum hours and prices ·
- Walk from the bus stop ·
- Tourism agency combined-ticket validity ·
- Museum FAQ ·
- Official English hours, prices, and walking access ·
- Current opening and price guide ·
- Shimane tourism agency beach guide ·
- Official JR journey search ·
- Dynamic journey search ·
- Special timetable for the 10th–11th ·
- Special timetable for the 12th ·
- Current Ichibata Taisha Line timetable and fares ·
- Walk to the main gate and shrine approach ·
- Regular outbound timetable ·
- Regular return timetable ·