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 slightly under 20,000 yen.
The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the journey if Hikari trains are used between Tokyo and Okayama, but the pass is not valid on 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 21,000 yen.
Japan Rail Pass holders have to pay around 9500 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. Air passes can be even cheaper. Izumo Airport is a 30 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1030 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 (990 yen).
By highway bus
Matsue and Izumo are connected with Tokyo by a night bus, operated daily by Ichibata Bus and JR Chugoku Bus. The one way ride takes 12 hours and costs 11,400 yen to Matsue and 11,800 yen to Izumo Taisha. The route is also served by discount bus companies such as Willer Bus with tickets available from around 6,000 yen. If used effectively, the Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3,000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
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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 12,000 yen.
The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the journey if a Hikari train is used between Kyoto and Okayama, but the pass is not valid on Nozomi trains.
By air
Japan Air Commuter, a member of the JAL Group, operates multiple flights per day between Osaka's Itami Airport and Izumo Airport (flight time 55 minutes). The regular one way fare is about 21,500 yen, but by using a discount offer, you can usually fly for around 9,000 to 15,000 yen. Izumo Airport is a 25 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1030 yen) and Izumoshi Station (720 yen).
By highway bus
Ichibata Bus, Kyoto Bus, JR Bus Chugoku and JR Bus Nishinihon operate a total of four bus round trips, including one overnight round trip, between Kyoto, Matsue and Izumo. The one way journey takes 5 hours and costs 5,560 yen to Matsue and 6 hours and 6,180 yen to Izumo. A round trip ticket is available for 10,000 yen and 11,200 yen respectively, and must be used within 10 days.
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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 11,000 yen.
The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the journey if a Sakura train is used between Osaka and Okayama, but the pass is not valid on Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
By air
Japan Air Commuter, a member of the JAL Group, operates multiple flights per day between Osaka's Itami Airport and Izumo Airport (flight time 55 minutes). The regular one way fare is about 18,000 yen, but by using a discount offer, you can usually fly for around 9,000 to 15,000 yen. Izumo Airport is a 25 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1030 yen) and Izumoshi Station (720 yen).
By highway bus
Ichibata Bus, Hankyu Bus and JR Bus Chugoku operate a total of eight bus round trips, including one overnight round trip, between Osaka (Hankyu Umeda and Shin-Osaka), Matsue and Izumo. The one way journey takes 4.5 hours and costs 5,200 yen to Matsue and 5.5 hours and 5,700 yen to Izumo.
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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 6500 yen to Izumo. There is about one train per hour.
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 3350 yen. By using a Seishun 18 Kippu, you can do the trip for as little as 2370 yen.
By highway bus
Highway buses require about three hours for the journey between Okayama and Matsue. The one way fare is 3,500 yen to Matsue and 4,000 yen to Izumo. A round trip ticket is available for 6,400 and 7,200 yen respectively, and must be used within 7 days.
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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 1140-3000 yen by local or limited express train. From Izumo, it takes 30-50 minutes and costs 580-2000 yen. All trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The bus journey between Odashi Station and Iwami Ginzan takes 25 minutes, costs 630 yen one way and is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. There are 1-2 buses per hour.
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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, 690 yen one way). A branch line leads from Kawato Station to Izumo Taisha-mae Station (one hour, 810 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 yen. By local train, the ride takes about twice as long but costs only 580 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.
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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 slightly under 20,000 yen.
The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the journey if Hikari trains are used between Tokyo and Okayama, but the pass is not valid on 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 21,000 yen.
Japan Rail Pass holders have to pay around 9500 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. Air passes can be even cheaper. Izumo Airport is a 30 minute bus ride from Matsue Station (1030 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 (990 yen).
By highway bus
Matsue and Izumo are connected with Tokyo by a night bus, operated daily by Ichibata Bus and JR Chugoku Bus. The one way ride takes 12 hours and costs 11,400 yen to Matsue and 11,800 yen to Izumo Taisha. The route is also served by discount bus companies such as Willer Bus with tickets available from around 6,000 yen. If used effectively, the 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. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Transportation within the city is provided by Matsue City Bus and Ichibata Bus. Convenient for tourists is the "Lake Line" loop bus, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major tourist sights. Buses operate every 20-30 minutes. A single ride costs 200 yen, while a one-day pass is available for 500 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 Ichibata's Shinjiko Onsen Station.
