Matsue & Izumo
Lands of Legend & Myth
Anchoring either end of the Shimane Peninsula with Lake Shinji (a Ramsar Wetland) between them, the cities of Matsue and Izumo offer a treasure trove of things to do and sights to see, whether your interests lean toward history, the fine and folk arts, or outdoor fun. Elegant Matsue, the prefectural capital, is known for its castle—a National Treasure whose tower dates back to 1611—as well as its tea culture and the writings of its famous émigré, Lafcadio Hearn. But stay longer and it will reveal other gems, like the peninsula’s breathtaking northern coast with sea caves to explore, and Yuushien, a garden renowned for its peonies. Izumo, meanwhile, is the very seat of Japan’s creation myths, a center of power still known today as the Land of the Gods. It’s home to the must-see Izumo Taisha Shrine, excellent archaeological museums, and a papermaking craft revived by a living national treasure that you, too, can try your hand at.
Explore the Origins of Japanese Culture
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Dress in kimono for a walk around Castle Town
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Take a ferry to an uninhabited island with 1300 years of history
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Explore ghostly corners of Matsue with a samurai guide
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Experience Matsue’s castle area & local culture by E-bike
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Ride along 400-year-old castle canals, in any season
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Sail out on a peaceful lake to see Matsue by sunset
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Cycle through the landscape of a traditional rice field
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Enjoy a Matsue style matcha ceremony at a lovely tea house
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Ride in comfort and style with an electrically-assisted bike
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Imagine what feudal Japan was like in the early 17th century
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Honor the god of good connections at one of Japan’s most important shrines
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Stroll through famous Japanese gardens & art museum
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Taste the comfort of traditional home-cooked Irish food
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Try a special sushi experience, for those in the know
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Enjoy vibrant food combining Japanese & international flavors
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Stay at the best location in this stylish downtown inn
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Experience a traditional tea room at this friendly inn
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Comfortably enjoy Matsue from a charming home
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Walk to Matsue Castle from this retro cozy guesthouse
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Stay near Matsue Castle at a relaxed budget guesthouse
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Dip your toes in 1200-year-old healing waters
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Transport back to an unspoiled seaside fishing village
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Smell the sea breeze in a nostalgic Japanese house all to yourself
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Stay at an elegantly restored sake brewery on the Cotton Road
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Delight in the sights and tastes along Japan’s Cotton Road
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View tumuli and artifacts from the 5th & 6th centuries
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Watch the sunset from the largest museum in San’in
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Appreciate the handicraft of Japanese kimono quilting
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Taste a variety of sake from its birthplace
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Stay at a luxuriously renovated storehouse on the Cotton Road
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Gain insight into Meiji-period Japan through the eyes of a foreign-born writer
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Brighten your day with a walk through colorful peony gardens
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Visit a museum dedicated to a major ship festival
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Marvel at exotic birds in year-round flower park
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Stroll on a white sand beach from your private house
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Explore Matsue from this convenient budget hotel
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Visit the former home of a famous 19th-century writer
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Wonder at the mysteries of this Bronze Age site
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Make paper at a Mingei folk craft master’s studio
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Observe top craftsmanship in the oldest building on the Cotton Road
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Explore the history of Izumo, land of the gods
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Appreciate the rich historical culture of Izumo
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Sip matcha tea and learn about Izumo history and culture
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Make beautiful Japanese sweets in the shapes of seasonal flowers