Lafcadio Hearn’s Residence

Lafcadio Hearn, one of the first Western authors of Japanese culture, lived in Matsue for about one year of his life. Hearn's former residence is now open to the public along with a museum located next door that is dedicated to his work and person.
Lafcadio Hearn was born in Greece in 1850 to a father from Ireland and a mother from Greece. Hearn resided in Greece, Ireland, Britain, France and the USA before emigrating to Japan in 1890. There he held various teaching positions, married a Japanese lady and was naturalized as Koizumi Yakumo, the name he remains known under in Japan. He passed away in Tokyo in 1904.
Hearn is best known for his books that introduced Japan to the Western world such as "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan" and a collection of translated legends "Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things".

Getting there and around
Lafcadio Hearn's former residence is located in the samurai district, north of Matsue Castle. It is connected with Matsue's railway stations by the Lakeline loop bus.
How to get to and around Matsue

Hours and Fees
Hours
Admission ends 20 minutes before closing time.
Closed
Admission
310 yen (residence only, 210 yen for foreign tourists)
560 yen (museum and residence)
1100 yen (museum, Matsue Castle and samurai residence)
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Matsue
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Matsue GuesthouseFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Matsue Guesthouse is set in Matsue, 2.5 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and 3.6 km from Lake Shinji. With a shared lounge, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. The units feature bed linen. Atagoyama Park is 25 km from the guest house, while Mizuki Shigeru Road is 25 km away. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 24 km from Matsue Guesthouse.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. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are always at hand to help. Lake Shinji is 3.8 km from Onyado Nono Matsue Natural Hot Spring, while Atagoyama Park is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 24 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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Guest house daisho oshiro asobiLocated in Matsue, less than 1 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Guest house daisho oshiro asobi provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. With a restaurant, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is situated 4.3 km from Lake Shinji. Atagoyama Park is 25 km from the guest house, while Mizuki Shigeru Road 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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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 GyokusenSet in Matsue, 5.4 km from Lake Shinji, Hotel Gyokusen offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. Located around 10 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, the ryokan with free WiFi is also 23 km away from Atagoyama Park. There is a sauna, evening entertainment and room service. At the ryokan, each room has a desk. All rooms include air conditioning and a flat-screen TV, and some units at Hotel Gyokusen have a safety deposit box. At the accommodation rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. At Hotel Gyokusen guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. The ryokan can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum is 24 km from Hotel Gyokusen, while Mizuki Shigeru Road is 32 km from the property. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 19 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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Hotel IchibataSituated in Matsue, 1.8 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Hotel Ichibata features accommodation with a garden, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a spa and wellness centre. 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 private bathroom with a bidet. With a shared bathroom fitted with a bath and free toiletries, rooms at Hotel Ichibata also feature free WiFi, while some rooms are fitted with a city view. At the accommodation the rooms include bed linen and towels. Hotel Ichibata offers a buffet or ? la carte breakfast. The hotel offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna, hot tub and hot spring bath. Guests at Hotel Ichibata will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsue, like fishing. Lake Shinji is 4 km from the accommodation, while Atagoyama Park is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 25 km from Hotel Ichibata.View on Booking.com
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Tamai BekkanLocated in Matsue, within 5.3 km of Lake Shinji and 10 km of Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, Tamai Bekkan provides accommodation with a garden and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is situated 24 km from Hirata Honjin Memorial Museum, 32 km from Mizuki Shigeru Road and 32 km from Hamayama Park. The property is non-smoking and is set 23 km from Atagoyama Park. Guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower and free toiletries. An Asian breakfast is available daily at Tamai Bekkan. The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a sauna and hot spring bath. Gakuen-ji Temple is 33 km from Tamai Bekkan, while Former Taisha Station is 34 km away. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 19 km from the ryokan.View on Booking.com
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Dormy Inn Express MatsueDormy Inn Express Matsue offers modern accommodations with wired internet access, an iPod docking station and free welcome coffee. Guests can refresh in the bathtub while watching the TV monitor in the en suite bathrooms. JR Matsue Train Station is a 5-minute walk away. The air-conditioned rooms feature carpeted floors, a flat-screen TV with a DVD player and a fridge. Green tea can be enjoyed using the electric kettle and sleepwear is provided for all guests. The en suite bathroom comes with slippers and a hairdryer. Matsue Dormy Inn Express is a 5-minute drive from Matsue Castle and a 15-minute drive from Kamosu Shrine. Former Yakumo Koizumi Residence is a 10-minute drive away. Massages can be requested for an extra cost and free-use washing machines are on-site. English speaking staff can be found at the 24-hour front desk. Hatago restaurant serves a breakfast buffet. Complimentary noodle soup is offered in the dining room between 21:30 and 23:00.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 hotelfs 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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