Matsue: Getting there and around

How to travel between Matsue and Tokyo

By JR daytime trains

Take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama (200 minutes by Nozomi, 240 minutes by Hikari, multiple trains per hour) and transfer to a JR Yakumo limited express train to Matsue (2.5 hours, one train per hour) or Izumo (3 hours, one train per hour). The one way fare is around 21,000 yen. Seat reservations are mandatory on Yakumo limited express trains.

The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the journey if Hikari trains are used between Tokyo and Okayama, but a supplement fee is required on the faster Nozomi trains.

By JR night train

The "Sunrise Izumo" night train operates daily between Tokyo, Matsue and Izumo. One way fares including berth fee, start around 22,000 yen.

Japan Rail Pass holders have to pay around 10,000 yen additionally for using a berth, except when using so called "nobi nobi" compartments, which can be used for free with the pass. Nobi nobi compartments are small spaces of carpeted floor to lie down. They are popular and often book out in advance.

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Izumo Airport (flight time 90 minutes). The regular one way fare is about 34,000 yen, but by using a discount offer, you can usually fly for around 15,000 to 24,000 yen. Izumo Airport is a 30 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1050 yen) and Izumoshi Station (720 yen).

ANA operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo and Yonago Airport. Flight time is 75 minutes. The regular one way fare is about 33,000 yen; however, discount tickets are usually available for between 15,000 to 24,000 yen. Yonago Airport is a 45 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1000 yen).

By highway bus

Matsue and Izumo are connected with Tokyo by multiple night buses. The one way ride takes around 12 hours and costs between 5,000 and 16,000 yen depending on the company and date of travel. The route is also served by Willer Bus, whose Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3,000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.

How to travel between Matsue and Kyoto

By train

Take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Kyoto to Okayama (60 minutes by Nozomi, 90 minutes by Hikari, multiple trains per hour) and transfer to a JR Yakumo limited express train to Matsue (2.5 hours, one train per hour) or Izumo (3 hours, one train per hour). The one way fare is about 14,000 yen. Seat reservations are mandatory on Yakumo limited express trains.

The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the journey if a Hikari train is used between Kyoto and Okayama, but a supplement fee is required on Nozomi trains.

By air

Japan Air Commuter, a member of the JAL Group, operates multiple flights per day between Izumo Airport and Osaka's Itami Airport near Kyoto. Flight time is just under one hour. The regular one way fare is about 24,000 yen, but by using a discount offer, you can usually fly for around 9,000 to 17,000 yen. Izumo Airport is a 25 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1050 yen) and Izumoshi Station (720 yen).

By highway bus

Chugoku JR Bus operates daily highway buses between Kyoto, Matsue and Izumo. The one way journey takes five hours and costs 5,660 yen to Matsue and 6 hours and 6,290 yen to Izumo. A round trip ticket is available for 10,200 yen and 11,400 yen respectively, and must be used within 10 days.

How to travel between Matsue and Osaka

By train

Take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Okayama (45 minutes by Nozomi or Mizuho, 50 minutes by Sakura, multiple trains per hour) and transfer to a JR Yakumo limited express train to Matsue (2.5 hours, one train per hour) or Izumo (3 hours, one train per hour). The one way fare is about 13,000 yen. Seat reservations are mandatory on Yakumo limited express trains.

The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the journey if a Sakura train is used between Osaka and Okayama, but a supplement fee is required if using a slightly faster Nozomi or Mizuho train.

By air

Japan Air Commuter, a member of the JAL Group, operates multiple flights per day between Izumo Airport and Osaka's Itami Airport. Flight time is just under one hour. The regular one way fare is about 24,000 yen, but by using a discount offer, you can usually fly for around 9,000 to 17,000 yen. Izumo Airport is a 25 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1050 yen) and Izumoshi Station (720 yen).

By highway bus

Multiple bus companies operate almost hourly highway buses, including one overnight bus, between Osaka, Matsue and Izumo. The one way journey takes 4.5 hours and costs 4000-6000 yen to Matsue and 5.5 hours and 4500-6500 yen to Izumo depending on the company and date of travel. Among the companies is Willer Express, whose Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the trip to around 3,000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.

How to travel between Matsue and Okayama

By train

Direct JR Yakumo limited express trains take about 2.5 hours from Okayama to Matsue and 3 hours from Okayama to Izumo. The one way fare is about 6000 yen to Matsue and 7000 yen to Izumo. There is about one train per hour. Seat reservations are mandatory on Yakumo limited express trains.

By slower local trains, the journey from Okayama to Matsue takes about 4-6 hours and requires at least one transfer of trains along the way. The one way fare is 3410 yen. By using a Seishun 18 Kippu, you can do the trip for as little as 2410 yen.

By highway bus

Highway buses require about three hours for the journey from Okayama to Matsue (Matsue Station) and an additional hour to Izumo (Izumoshi Station). There are departures every 1-4 hours. The one way fare is 3,900 yen to Matsue and 4,400 yen to Izumo. A round trip ticket is available for 7,100 and 8,000 yen respectively, and must be used within 7 days.

How to travel between Matsue and Iwami Ginzan

By train and bus

Take a JR train from Matsue or Izumo (Izumoshi Station) to Oda (Odashi Station) and transfer to a bus to Iwami Ginzan. The one way train ride from Matsue to Oda takes 45-90 minutes and costs 1170-3000 yen by local or limited express train. From Izumo, it takes 30-50 minutes and costs 590-2000 yen. All trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The bus journey between Odashi Station and Iwami Ginzan takes about 30 minutes, costs 760 yen one way (640 yen if you get off at the Omori Daikansho bus stop instead of the World Heritage Center bus stop) and is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. There is roughly one bus per hour.

How to travel between Matsue and Izumo

Matsue and Izumo are connected with each other by two train companies: the local Ichibata Railway and Japan Railways (JR):

By Ichibata Railway

Ichibata Railway runs hourly trains between Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station and Izumoshi Station (one hour, 700 yen one way). A branch line leads from Kawato Station to Izumo Taisha-mae Station (one hour, 820 yen one way from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station, a transfer of trains is required at Kawato), making Ichibata Railway the easiest way to reach Izumo Taisha from Matsue.

By Japan Railways (JR)

The one way ride by twice hourly limited express trains between Matsue and Izumoshi Station takes 20-30 minutes and costs around 1500-2000 yen (seat reservations are mandatory). By local train, the ride takes about twice as long but costs only 590 yen one way. Both limited express and local trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Note that Izumo Taisha is located several kilometers north of Izumoshi Station.