Matsue Castle
One of Japan’s largest, original castle towers
Matsue Castle (松江城, Matsuejō) is one of only a dozen original castles in Japan, meaning that its main tower has survived to this day through fires, earthquakes and the anti-feudal demolitions of the Meiji Period. It is sometimes called the "black castle" after its darkly-colored, austere exterior.
Matsue Castle was completed in 1611, a few years after the last decisive battle of feudal Japan. In 1638, the fief and castle were reassigned to a branch of the Matsudaira clan, relatives of the ruling Tokugawa. Perched atop a hill and surrounded by a moat and thick walls, the castle was built to withstand a war, though, thanks to the timing of its construction, it never actually saw a battle. Major renovation works were undertaken in the 1950s to further preserve it, and the interior of the main keep now houses a museum displaying period arms and artifacts.
In addition to touring the castle's main keep and grounds, visitors can also enjoy a river boat cruise around the castle moat. The boats, which depart every 20-30 minutes from a handful of departure points around the castle, are driven around the moat and narrow canals that form the Horikawa River by boatmen and boatwomen who share about the history of the area (in Japanese only, although audio recordings in other languages are also available).
Getting there and around
Matsue Castle can be reached in a 30 minute walk from JR Matsue Station or in a 15 minute walk from Ichibata Dentetsu's Matsue-Shinjiko-Onsen Station. The castle is also connected with both train stations by the Lakeline loop bus.
Hours and Fees
Matsue Castle
Hours
8:30 to 18:30 (until 17:00 from October to March)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time
Closed
No closing days
Admission
Castle Moat Boat Cruise
Hours
9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from October to February)
Departures every 20-30 minutes.
Departures every 20-30 minutes.
Closed
No closing days
Admission
1600 yen for a 1-day pass
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Matsue
Top rated in Matsue
Budget:
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KIAN the guest houseKIAN the guest house, a property with a garden, is set in Matsue, less than 1 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, 4.3 km from Lake Shinji, as well as 25 km from Atagoyama Park. This 2-star guest house offers a concierge service and a housekeeping service. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Mizuki Shigeru Road is 25 km from the guest house, while Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum is 25 km away. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 25 km from KIAN the guest house.View on Booking.com -
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Onyado Nono Matsue Natural Hot SpringSet 1.7 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Onyado Nono Matsue Natural Hot Spring offers 4-star accommodation in Matsue and has a spa and wellness centre. Offering a restaurant, the property also has a bar, as well as a sauna and a hot spring bath. Private parking is available on site. All units in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. All guest rooms at Onyado Nono Matsue Natural Hot Spring feature air conditioning and a desk. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are always at hand to help. Lake Shinji is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Atagoyama Park is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 24 km from Onyado Nono Matsue Natural Hot Spring.View on Booking.com -
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FukumakanCounting an almost 200-year history, Fukumakan features Japanese-style rooms and freestanding cottages, some overlooking Miho Bay. Bicycle rentals are available, and the hotel offers a free shuttle to/from Yonago Airport and JR Sakai-Minato Station. Fukumakan is only a 1-minute walk from Miho Jinja Shrine, and a 20-minute drive from the Mizuki Shigeru Road. JR Sakai-Minato Station is a 20-minute drive, and Yonago Airport a 30-minute drive away. All accommodations have a tatami (woven-straw) floor and Japanese futon bedding. Amenities include air conditioning and an LCD TV, while some rooms have a fridge and an attached bathroom. Yukata robes are provided. Fukumakan, a registered property of the Japan Ryokan Association, features a hot public bath, drinks vending machines and free parking. Pets are allowed upon advance requests, at extra charge. The hotel offers Japanese dishes for breakfast and dinner. Meals are served at the dining room.View on Booking.com -
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Guest house daisho oshiro asobiLocated less than 1 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Guest house daisho oshiro asobi offers 1-star accommodation in Matsue and features a garden, a terrace and a shared lounge. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The guest house has family rooms. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Lake Shinji is 4.3 km from the guest house, while Atagoyama Park is 25 km away. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 25 km from Guest house daisho oshiro asobi.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel IchibataSituated in Matsue and with Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum reachable within 1.8 km, Hotel Ichibata features concierge services, allergy-free rooms, a bar, free WiFi throughout the property and a spa and wellness centre. Featuring a restaurant, the property also has a garden, as well as a sauna and a hot tub. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a shared bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Ichibata the rooms include bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Hotel Ichibata offers 4-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsue, like fishing. Staff speak English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk. Lake Shinji is 4 km from Hotel Ichibata, while Atagoyama Park is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 25 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Green Rich Hotel Matsue Station Across - Artificial hot spring Futamata YunohanaSituated in Matsue, 2.6 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Green Rich Hotel Matsue Station Across - Artificial hot spring Futamata Yunohana features accommodation with a restaurant and private parking. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The hotel has a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the hotel. Lake Shinji is 3.8 km from Green Rich Hotel Matsue Station Across - Artificial hot spring Futamata Yunohana, while Mizuki Shigeru Road is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Gyokusen5.4 km from Lake Shinji in Matsue, Hotel Gyokusen features accommodation with access to a sauna, hot spring bath and public bath. It is set 10 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and provides a 24-hour front desk. The ryokan also offers free WiFi, free private parking and facilities for disabled guests. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, some units are allergy-free. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Atagoyama Park is 23 km from the ryokan, while Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum is 24 km from the property. Izumo Airport is 19 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Onsen Guest House Aobato no SuFeaturing free WiFi throughout the property, Onsen Guest House Aobato no Su offers accommodation in Matsue, a few steps from Tamatsukuri Onsen. Free private parking is available on site. All rooms include a flat-screen TV. Every room is fitted with a shared bathroom. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Lake Shinji is 4.1 km from Onsen Guest House Aobato no Su, while Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum is 8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Yonago Airport, 22 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Matsue Excel Hotel TokyuLocated just a 3-minute walk from JR Matsue Station, Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu provides simple guest rooms fitted with modern amenities. Free in-room wired internet is provided. All guest rooms are non-smoking at this hotel. Guests can smoke in a designated smoking booth. The hotel features banquet facilities, and drink vending machines can be used. Rooms at Tokyu Matsue Excel Hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a small fridge and an electric kettle. An air-purifier is also provided in the room. Izumo Airport is a 30-minute limousine bus ride from the station. Matsue Castle can be reached within a 5-minute drive, and historic Izumo Taisha Shrine is a 1-hour drive away. On-site Restaurant Mosoro offers a Japanese and Western breakfast buffet, a buffet lunch and dinner. Casual set meals and a la carte menus are available for dinner.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Route Inn MatsueA 7-minute ride to JR Matsue Train Station on the hotel’s free shuttle, Hotel Route-Inn offers rooms with a flat-screen TV, free internet and a private bathroom. Parking is free. Guests at Hotel Route-Inn Matsue enjoy air-conditioned rooms with a green tea maker and pay TV programs. Each room has a work desk, and the en suite bathroom includes a bathtub and slippers. The hotel is about 1.5 km from Matsue Castle, Shimane Art Museum and the Bukeyashiki Samurai Houses. Ao Ishidatami Dori (Blue Stone Approach) Traditional Street is 25 km away. A coin launderette are provided. Locally produced items are offered at the gift shop. NAGOMI Restaurant serves a daily breakfast buffet featuring European breads.View on Booking.com
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