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How to travel between Izumo 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

Izumo is located about 30 kilometers west of Matsue, the capital and largest city of Shimane Prefecture. The main entry point to Izumo is Izumoshi Station from where Japan Railways (JR) provides connections to Matsue and the rest of Japan. The station is also served by the local Ichibata Railway, whose network connects Izumo with Matsue and Izumo Taisha.

While Izumoshi Station is located in central Izumo, Izumo Taisha and the city's other tourist attractions are located several kilometers north of the city center. Buses (25 minutes, 470-530 yen one way, 2 buses/hour) and Ichibata Railway (25 minutes, 500 yen one way, one connection/hour, one transfer along the way) connect Izumoshi Station with the shrine area.

Izumo Airport is located a few kilometers east of Izumo's city center and connected with Izumoshi Station by buses (30 minutes, 720 yen one way).