Experience the heart of Japan's culture in this beautiful castle city. From shopping at cozy arcades to exploring historic shrines, there is plenty to discover in Matsue. 島根県松江市 介護

Take a guided tour to see Matsue Castle, one of the country's most original castle keeps, and stroll along its old samurai district. Next, visit the residence of 19th-century writer Lafcadio Hearn on Shiomi Nawate Street.
1. Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle is one of the finest examples of traditional Japanese architecture. Its five-story yagura lookout towers are connected by roofed passageways known as watari-yagura that offer an excellent view of the surrounding city. Its wide moat is especially beautiful when the cherry blossoms, sakura (cherry trees) or autumn-colored leaves are in bloom. It is also a favorite spot for romantic couples who come here to seek what's called en-musubi, or the divine matchmaking power of marriage.

The castle was built in 1633 by Horio Tadauji, the last lord of the Matsudaira Domain. The original castle was made from wood, and is famous for its strong and enduring structure. The castle is surrounded by beautiful woods which are known as Matsue Jozan Park. This park is filled with many things to see and do. A peaceful walk through the woods is a great way to enjoy nature and the calm atmosphere. The castle grounds are also popular during the spring when cherry blossoms, camellias and azaleas flourish.

When I climbed up to the top of the castle, the view reminded me of what it must have been like for the feudal lords who lived here in old Japan. The original structure features such as arrow shooting holes, windows for dropping stones on attackers and the basement well are still intact, and the top floor offers a 360 degree lookout over Matsue.

Near the castle, visitors can visit Lafcadio Hearn's old residence - a delightful small samurai house that served as his home from May to November 1891. This area is known as Shiomi Nawate and a visit here gives you an opportunity to experience a little bit of the atmosphere that Hearn described in his classic book, Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan. Tea drinkers can enjoy a tea ceremony at one of the dozen tea houses scattered throughout Matsue.
2. Lake Shinji

Located where the fresh water of Lake Shinji and the brackish Lake Nakaumi meet, Matsue is often referred to as the “City of Water” or the “Water Castle.” It boasts one of Japan’s few remaining original castles and was home to Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish writer and the first foreigner to acquire Japanese citizenship. The city also has a number of relics and museums to discover as well as beautiful Japanese gardens and a renowned peony flower park.

It’s possible to tour the lake on foot and many of the major attractions are concentrated around the central area, which is easily reached from Matsue Station. However, if you want to get a unique perspective on the lake and its beauty, you should book in advance for a sightseeing boat tour that runs five or six times per day, including a sunset cruise. The tour takes about an hour and includes commentary on the seven delicacies of Lake Shinji (whitebait, eel, shrimp, carp, sea bass, smelt, and shijimi clams).

At the end of the day, it is worth taking a stroll along the lakeside path in order to see the quintessential view of Yomegashima island silhouetted against the glow of a red sky. Hearn himself described this as one of the highlights of his stay in Matsue. You’ll find plenty of seats from which to watch the sunset as well as a temporary cafe that opens when conditions look favorable.

For those with a more adventurous palate, a sashimi and sushi restaurant is also located on the shores of Lake Shinji. And early on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings, you can find fishermen on the lake collecting shijimi clams, which are then served in a variety of local miso soup dishes.
3. The Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine

A designated National Treasure of Japan, Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in the country. Its origins are legendary, with the first record dating back to the early 700s according to Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Japan’s oldest chronicles.

The shrine is surrounded by ancient pine trees, known as matsu no sando, with its main building (Kaguraden) designed in the style of the earliest Japanese architecture. It is one of the largest and most important Shinto shrines in the country. The presiding deity is Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the god of human relationships, and many people come here to pray for luck in finding their perfect partner or to celebrate their marriages.

During the 10th month of the lunar calendar, all kami, the deities of Japan, gather at Izumo Taisha. The shimenawa, the sacred straw rope that covers the Kaguraden, is the biggest in all of Japan at 13.5 meters long and weighs nearly five tons. The shimenawa is changed out every six years with new ones made from locally sourced straw, which is an indication of the holiness and reverence for this place.

Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour around the sanctuary to see some of its most important structures. It is best to enter the shrine from the side entrance near the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo (down a road to the right when looking at the main gate). This way, you avoid the steps and can easily enjoy walking around the main building. The shrine also has a small museum that houses items like jewelry, household articles, paintings and swords. It’s a great opportunity to get an up-close look at these precious items.
4. Matsue Horikawa Boat Tour

When you’re in Matsue for a day or two, take advantage of the opportunity to see what makes it one of Japan’s most beautiful and historically significant cities by exploring its canals on a guided tour. These once vital transportation routes are now scenic sightseeing spots, offering up a glimpse of Matsue’s rich past as a samurai city.

Board a canal cruise at Fureai Square, Otemae Square or Karakoro Square and let the skipper serve as your guide, pointing out the most notable spots like old bridges and stone walls along the way. In spring, boats glide beneath the cherry blossoms, while in winter the skipper may sing a local folksong to keep you warm and cozy on your journey.

As you glide along, look out for the many omikoshi (festival shrines) on the shoreline as well as some of Matsue’s most impressive vistas from the top of the castle moat. Then, head inside the castle itself to discover a dark, austere stronghold that’s considered one of Japan’s 12 original castles. For a taste of the literary side of Matsue, also visit the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum or any number of landmarks and monuments dedicated to the author who taught in town from 1890-1991.

Located in the heart of Shimane Prefecture, Matsue is easily accessible by rail, bus and car. It is a perfect base for day trips to the serene Oki Islands or hiking up Mt. Mitoku for breathtaking views of towering Lake Shinji. You can even shop at cozy arcades and admire traditional artwork in the Adachi Museum of Art before tucking into some authentic matcha tea or homemade wagashi. With so much to do in this hidden gem of a city, make the most of your time in Matsue by planning your itinerary in advance.
5. Lake Nakaumi

When it comes to Matsue, there is much to see and do. A highlight is the magnificent original castle (the only one of its kind remaining in Japan), the old moat “horikawa” and the former residence of 19th-century Irish American author Lafcadio Hearn. The city is also home to many Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and the Shimane Art Museum with its beautiful landscape garden.

At the turn of the last century, the prefectures of Tottori and Shimane were separated by Lake Nakaumi. To allow people to travel from the south side of the prefecture to the north, engineers and architects needed to build a bridge. They used a novel approach to make the bridge as high and strong as possible: they made it out of steel cables anchored in the water. The resulting spectacular Eshima Ohashi Bridge was named after the city of Matsue.

The lake is a brackish lagoon and is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It is also home to around 200 species of birds, including the Asian subspecies of tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus). The area serves as an important wintering grounds for many waterfowl.

The lake lies on the border between Tottori and Shimane prefectures and is surrounded by the municipalities of Matsue, Yasugi, Izumo and Yonago. The lake is connected to Lake Shinji by the 7.3 km-long Ohashi River and contains a large number of islands, including Daikon Island (), literally "radish island" and the inlet island of Eshima (). The southwestern part of the lake is characterized by its high salt concentration, while the northeastern part is characterized by its low salt content. The eutrophication of the lake has been studied using multiple proxies, including chemical compounds, diatoms, foraminifera and molluscs.