Exploring Matsue
Onsen Culture
Discover “Authentic Japan” Living Side by Side
with the Gods—A Three-Day,
Two-Night Journey
Matsue—A City Where “Authentic Japan” Still Breathes
90 minutes by air from Haneda Airport in Tokyo, 60 minutes from Itami Airport in Osaka.
Shimane—the stage of mythology, the land where gods from across Japan gather. Its prefectural capital, called “the Chief City of the Province of the Gods” by Lafcadio Hearn, is Matsue.
Matsue, a Water City blessed with lake, river, and sea—amid the scenery of the national treasure Matsue Castle, the small boats of the moat, and the breathtaking sunsets sinking into Lake Shinji, the city quietly holds the fragrance of ghost stories and literature beloved by Hearn, and the culture of tea ceremony and delicate Japanese sweets cultivated by Lord Fumai.
Without flashiness, yet deepening in richness the more you walk, the more you eat, the more seasons you experience here—this is a refined, understated castle town.
For those who wish to savor the atmosphere of authentic Japan, untouched by mass tourism, quietly and deeply, Matsue offers an experience that surpasses even Kyoto.
In this city, you will encounter the lesser-known face of Japan.
Now is the time to discover “Authentic Japan MATSUE.”
FEATURE
Two Hot Springs
Rising in the Land of the Gods
Matsue is home to two hot springs of contrasting character—a mountain spring and a lakeside spring.
Tamatsukuri Onsen, renowned as the “Water of the Gods,” trails wisps of steam along a mountain stream valley, soothing travelers for 1,300 years. Its silky alkaline waters, celebrated for their skin-beautifying properties, wrap the heart and body in the most gentle embrace.
Along the riverbank stretches an atmospheric hot spring town, with shrines and temples known for granting heartfelt wishes.
Soak in the water of the gods, converse with the deities, and receive their blessings—here you can experience the everyday life of Matsue’s people, who live alongside the gods.
Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen unfolds along the shores of Lake Shinji. At dusk you can soak in the bath while gazing at the lake surface burning crimson; in the morning, you can watch the ethereal mist hanging over the water from close range—a moment of luxury rarely found elsewhere. Close to the center of Matsue and easy to combine with a stroll through the castle town, this hot spring welcomes everyone with a barrier-free universal design.
The mountain spring, where you feel the breath of ancient gods, and the lakeside spring, where you sense the atmosphere of Matsue the Water City through your skin—though each has its own distinct character, both will ease the fatigue of your journey and quietly let the depth of Matsue’s nature and history seep into your body.
Contact a Concierge
for Enquiries
HIGHLIGHT
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHT
A Retreat at Tamatsukuri Onsen—
the “Water of the Gods” Since the Age of Myth
Tamatsukuri Onsen, the “Water of the Gods” with 1,300 years of history, is a hot spring town rich in atmosphere and fragrant with steam.
Offer your prayers at sacred shrines and temples, then soak in the waters to cleanse heart and body.
In the light wavering on the night river, beyond the shimmering steam—you may suddenly sense the presence of the gods nearby—
A special time to feel the local everyday life where the gods are always close.
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHT
Strolling Matsue’s Castle Town,
then Healing Time at the Lakeside Hot Spring
Explore the streets of Matsue—the “Chief City of the Province of the Gods” beloved by Hearn—on foot and by boat, to your heart’s content.
Visit the national treasure Matsue Castle, the Shiomi Nawate samurai residences, and Lafcadio Hearn’s former home, then experience the tea ceremony culture that Lord Fumai left behind, which the people of Matsue have continued in their daily lives.
In the long-established confectionery shops throughout the city—still hand-making sweets in the style Lord Fumai loved—you will encounter distinctive and beautiful Japanese confections that could be called small works of art.
As evening falls, soak away the day’s fatigue at Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen, gazing at Lake Shinji as its expression shifts moment by moment.
DAY 3 HIGHLIGHT
Craft Tourism Encountering the Skill and Spirit of Artisans,
then Closing the Journey with a Prayer for Enmusubi
Wake in the morning to the ink-wash landscape of small shijimi-fishing boats floating on the mist-covered lake, then set out today on a journey to discover “handcraft.” Visit the workshops where craft objects are created as skill and spirit are passed from parent to child, from master to apprentice.
Feel the world of accumulated “making” with all your senses, or search for your favorite in a select shop, or try creating something yourself through a hands-on experience. May you find a treasure that is uniquely yours.
After lunch in Yuushien—celebrated for its peonies and Japanese garden floating on Lake Nakaumi—close your journey at Yaegaki Shrine, the “god of enmusubi.” Give thanks for the encounters this trip has brought, and offer a prayer for the bonds yet to come.
The “enmusubi” tied by the gods will bring the next encounter your way.
As evening falls, soak away the day’s fatigue at Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen, gazing at Lake Shinji as its expression shifts moment by moment.
Into
Matsue
TOUR PLAN
Facility Information
Yuyakushi Plaza
Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 699-0201, Japan
Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine
508 Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 699-0201, Japan
TEL:0852-62-0006
Seigan-ji Temple
530 Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 699-0201, Japan
TEL:0852-62-0516
14:00
Arrive at Tamatsukuri Onsen — Stroll the Hot Spring Town
Wander at leisure through the atmospheric hot spring town lining the Tamayu River.
Relax with a foot bath while listening to the murmur of the stream.
At Yuyakushi Plaza (tub bath), fill a spray bottle with spring water to take home.
Visit the gods and Buddhas who have protected this land since ancient times:
· Make your own personal amulet with the “wishing stone” and “granting stone” at Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine
· Pray for beautiful skin at the “Oshiroi Jizo” of Seigan-ji Temple
Facility Information
Tamatsukuri Grand Hotel Choseikaku
331 Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 699-0201, Japan
TEL:0852-62-0711
17:00
Hotel Check-in — Wellness Time
Tamatsukuri Grand Hotel Choseikaku
Unwind in the gentle hot‑spring waters of Tamatsukuri Onsen, including a large bath lined with the region’s colorful agate stones and an open‑air bath overlooking the garden.
In the guest room Izumo, you can enjoy a private agate‑stone bath at your own pace.
Facility Information
Tamatsukuri Grand Hotel Choseikaku
331 Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 699-0201, Japan
TEL:0852-62-0711
19:00
Dinner — Flavors of Shimane’s Sea and Mountains
Enjoy a refined Japanese kaiseki dinner overseen by one of Japan’s leading chefs, Kihachi Kumagai, and prepared by Executive Chef Hitoshi Sasagawa, a certified Hōshō Shihan—a prestigious qualification awarded to masters of Japanese cuisine.
Facility Information
09:00
Matsue’s Symbol — National Treasure Matsue Castle & Kounkaku
Facility Information
Horikawa Sightseeing Boat
193 Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0887, Japan
TEL:0852-27-0417
11:00
A Full Loop of the Moat by Sightseeing Boat — Experience the Water City
The fun “roof-lowering” mechanism that lowers the boat’s roof when passing under low bridges
Facility Information
Izumo Soba Yakumoan
308 Kitabori-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0888, Japan
TEL:0852-22-2400
12:00
Savor the Famous Izumo Soba (Warigo Soba) at Yakumoan, Overlooking the Bamboo Grove and Garden
Facility Information
Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Museum
322 Okuya-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0872, Japan
TEL:0852-21-2147
Lafcadio Hearn’s Former Residence
315 Kitabori-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0888, Japan
TEL:0852-21-2147
13:00
Following in the Footsteps of Lafcadio Hearn
Shiomi Nawate Street → Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Museum → Lafcadio Hearn’s Former Residence → Jozan Inari Shrine
Facility Information
Saiundo
124 Tenjin-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0064, Japan
TEL:0852-21-2727
Furyudo
151 Tera-machi, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0063, Japan
TEL:0852-21-3241
Saneido
47 Tera-machi, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0063, Japan
TEL:0852-31-0122
Keigetsudo
97 Tenjin-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0064, Japan
TEL:0852-21-2622
Ichirikido
53 Suetsugu Honmachi, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0843, Japan
TEL:0852-28-5300
15:00
Tea Ceremony Experience at Meimeian — Lord Fumai’s Favorite Retreat
· Hop between long-established confectionery shops in town — find your favorites from a colorful array of Japanese sweets
Facility Information
17:00
Check in to Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen
Minamikan
Enjoy the hot spring at this traditional inn visited by many literary and artistic figures, gazing at the sunset over Lake Shinji
Facility Information
19:00
Sea, Lake & Mountain — A Kaiseki Dinner Crafted from the Bounty of San’in, Finished with Minamikan’s Time-Honored Technique Passed Down Through Generations.
· Recommended dish: Minamikan’s signature family recipe “Tai-meshi” (sea bream rice)
~Please savor this flavor where history lives on.
※ In the evening, you can head out into the city to izakayas and local cuisine restaurants, encountering the deep appeal of Matsue through Lake Shinji shijimi clams, nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), local sake and craft beer, and connections with the local people.
07:00
Morning Walk Along the Misty Shores of Lake Shinji
~ The scene of shijimi fishing boats gliding across the morning-mist-wrapped Lake Shinji is a world of ethereal beauty like an ink-wash painting
Facility Information
Yumachi-gama
965-1 Yumachi, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 699-0202, Japan
TEL:0852-62-0726
Sodeshi-gama
803-13 Saiwai-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0049, Japan
TEL:0852-21-3974
Fujina-yaki Unzen-gama
428-11 Fushina, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 699-0203, Japan
TEL:0852-62-0738
Yakumonuri Honpo Yamamoto
45 Suetsugu Honmachi, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0843, Japan
TEL:0852-23-2525
Izumo Mingei-shi Workshop
1733 Higashiiwasaka, Yakumo-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-2102, Japan
TEL:0852-54-0303
09:00
Visit City Kilns and Select Shops
· Treasure-hunt through Yumachi-gama, Sodeshi-gama, Unzen-gama, Yakumo-nuri lacquerware, and Izumo Mingei washi paper, surrounded by the legacy of Lord Fumai and the fragrance of mingei craftsmanship
Facility Information
Yuushien
1260-2 Naminyu, Yatsuka-cho, Matsue City, Shimane 690-1404, Japan
TEL:0852-76-2255
12:00
An Elegant Lunch at Yuushien — Famous for Its Peonies, Floating on Lake Nakaumi — While Gazing at the Japanese Garden
After lunch, enjoy the Japanese garden designed to evoke the Izumo region, and the spectacular, resplendent peony blooms
Facility Information
Izumo Oyashiro (Grand Shrine)
195 Kizuki-higashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane 699-0701, Japan
TEL:0853-53-3100
Adachi Museum of Art
320 Furukawa-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane 692-0064, Japan
TEL:0854-28-7111
14:00
Enmusubi Prayer and Fortune-Telling at Yaegaki Shrine
~ Give thanks for the “encounters” that made this journey possible, pray for the bonds yet to come, and head to the next destination
※ Nearby are popular attractions including Izumo Oyashiro (Grand Shrine)—where gods from across Japan gather, famous for enmusubi—and the Adachi Museum of Art, whose Japanese garden has been ranked No. 1 in Japan by an American magazine for over 20 consecutive years
17:00
Depart for Your Next Destination
[Concierge Enquiries]
· Experiences and budget can be arranged to match your preferences.
· For those who wish to discuss a specific 3-day, 2-night bespoke tour in detail, please feel free to contact our concierge via the form below.
Contact a Concierge
for Enquiries