Matsue Castle (], 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.

How to get to and around Matsue

Hours and Fees

Matsue Castle

Hours

Closed

Admission

Castle Moat Boat Cruise

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Matsue

Top rated in Matsue
Budget:
    • KIAN the guest house
      Budget-friendly
      KIAN 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.
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    • Matsue Forest Park
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Matsue, 12 km from Atagoyama Park and 13 km from Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum, Matsue Forest Park provides accommodation with free WiFi and a garden with a terrace and lake views. Some units also have a kitchen equipped with a fridge, an oven, and a microwave. Hiking can be enjoyed nearby. Lake Shinji is 18 km from the lodge, while Hamayama Park is 21 km away. Izumo Airport is 5 km from the property.
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    • Onyado Nono Matsue Natural Hot Spring
      Luxury
      Set 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. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are ready to help around the clock. Lake Shinji is 3.8 km from Onyado Nono Matsue Natural Hot Spring, while Atagoyama Park is 25 km from the property. Izumo Airport is 24 km away.
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    • Fukumakan
      Mid-range
      Located in Matsue, 11 km from Mizuki Shigeru Road and 30 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Fukumakan provides a restaurant and sea views. Featuring a lift, this property also provides guests with a picnic area. There is free private parking and a free airport shuttle service. Facilities for disabled guests are also available at the property. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with bathrobes, the units at the ryokan have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms are fitted with a terrace. All units will provide guests with a tatami and a kettle. The area is popular for skiing and snorkelling, and bike hire is available at this 3-star ryokan. After a day of cycling, hiking or walking tours, guests can relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Lake Shinji is 34 km from the ryokan, while Mizuki Shigeru Museum is 11 km away. Yonago Airport is 16 km from the property.
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    • Guest house daisho oshiro asobi
      Budget-friendly
      Located 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. Izumo Airport is 25 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Ichibata
      Luxury
      Situated in Matsue, 1.8 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Hotel Ichibata features accommodation with a garden, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. Among the facilities at this property are a tour desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with 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. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Hotel Ichibata offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna, hot tub and hot spring bath. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsue, like fishing. Lake Shinji is 4 km from Hotel Ichibata, while Atagoyama Park is 23 km from the property. Izumo Airport is 25 km away.
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    • Green Rich Hotel Matsue Station Across - Artificial hot spring Futamata Yunohana
      Mid-range
      Situated 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. Izumo Airport is 24 km away.
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    • Hotel Gyokusen
      Mid-range
      5.4 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.
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    • Onsen Guest House Aobato no Su
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 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.
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    • Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu
      Mid-range
      Located 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.
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