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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 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 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. Air passes can be even cheaper. 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
      Featuring 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.
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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. 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.
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    • Guest house daisho oshiro asobi
      Budget-friendly
      Located 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.
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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. The nearest airport is Izumo Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.
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    • Hotel Gyokusen
      Mid-range
      Set 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.
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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. 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.
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    • Tamai Bekkan
      Mid-range
      Located 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.
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    • Dormy Inn Express Matsue
      Mid-range
      Dormy 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.
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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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    • Hotel Route Inn Matsue
      Mid-range
      A 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.
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