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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.

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.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

Matsue is served by two railway companies: Japan Railways (JR) and Ichibata Railway. JR Matsue Station is a regional transportation hub, located two kilometers south of Matsue Castle, while Ichibata Railway connects Matsue with neighboring Izumo and Izumo Taisha from its terminal station, Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station, one kilometer west of the castle.

Transportation within the city is provided by city buses and Ichibata Bus. Convenient for tourists is the Lakeline loop bus, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major tourist sights. Buses operate every 20 minutes. A single ride costs 210 yen, while a one-day pass is available for 520 yen.

Good walkers can explore the city's main sights entirely on foot. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from JR Matsue Station to the castle or about 15 minutes from Shinjiko Onsen Station.

The closest airports to Matsue are Izumo Airport (35 minutes, 1050 yen one way by bus from Matsue Station), which is mainly served by JAL, and Yonago Airport (45 minutes, 1000 yen one way from Matsue Station), which is mainly served by ANA.

Hotels around Matsue

Top rated in Matsue
Budget:
    • Matsue Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Matsue Guesthouse is set in Matsue, 2.5 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, 3.6 km from Lake Shinji, as well as 25 km from Atagoyama Park. 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 for guests. The units feature bed linen. 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 26 km away. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 24 km from Matsue Guesthouse.
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    • 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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    • 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. 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.
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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. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 25 km from Guest house daisho oshiro asobi.
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    • Fukumakan
      Mid-range
      Counting 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.
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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. Ideally situated in the Matsue Shinjiko Onsen district, this 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 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. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 25 km from the accommodation.
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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. Lake Shinji is 3.8 km from the hotel, while Mizuki Shigeru Road is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 24 km from Green Rich Hotel Matsue Station Across - Artificial hot spring Futamata Yunohana.
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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. The air-conditioned accommodation is 10 km from Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum. 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. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 19 km from Hotel Gyokusen.
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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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