Location: Matsue
Top Things to do in Matsue
What to do and see in Matsue, Chugoku: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Matsue (松江市, Matsue-shi) is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture located in Chūgoku region of the main island of Honshu. As of March, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 205,402, following its most recent merging with the town of Higashiizumo (from Yatsuka District).
Restaurants in Matsue
1. Matsue Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,499 reviews
Matsue symbol Matsue Castle is said to be one of the national treasures and one of the only orthodox towers among the 12 towers that exist throughout the country. Matsue Castle can be proud, please enjoy.
Reviewed By jeffreygalino - Hiroshima, Japan
If you are into history and culture, you should visit this castle. The structure is still in its original form. It looks unique compared to other Japanese castles for its black color. Discounted ticket price is given to foreigners. A panoramic view of Matsue City is seen from top.
2. Shimane Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 286 reviews
The museum on the shores of Lake Shinji, which is designated as "100 Japanese Sunsets in Japan," is the largest museum in San-in. Collect excellent works of each field such as paintings, sculptures, crafts, photographs as permanent exhibitions. It is also acclaimed that a large number of paintings with the theme of “water” will be exhibited.
Reviewed By delphine95 - Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
First the architecture of the museum in front of the lac is amazing. Inside permanent exhibition has very important western and japanese master piece as an enormous sculpture Victor Hugo by Rodin. You will find a gallery with great suite and black pictures from the artiste Teiko Shiotani. Twilight temporary exhibition gathers paintings from Impressionist european painters and japanese painters of the same century very beautifull and interesting to see the connexion between these two cultures. What ever the kind of art you like i really recommend to take 90 minutes to enjoy Shimane museum.
3. Matsue Vogel Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By 719karenj - Colorado Springs, United States
You know about those YouTube/Facebook videos of penguins dressed up and walking around? THIS IS THE PLACE! Six years ago, we visited Matsue Vogel Park just as they were closing. We ran through it and thought it was amazing. They greet you with near floor to ceiling flowers! This time, we admired their new building, used our passports to get a discount, and made sure to have lots of time. You start with the most amazing really, really long and steep slidewalk. Our friends helped us to get to almost every "show" and I got to (pay to) have a bird of prey fly to my arm and get lots of photos together, find the koi with the happy face on it's head, take lots of pictures of dressed up penguins, (pay to) hold a penguin (because who knew it was on my bucket list), (pay to) get a bird to pick a fortune for my husband (it was good), and (pay to) feed turacos, toucans, and whatever that other bird was. The free bird shows were great. There were lots of flowers and animals to look at. At the end, we stopped for some soft cream (soft serve in many flavors). What an amazing day!
4. Yaegaki Shrine
5. Kamosu Shrine
6. Mihonoseki
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By pratiwitriutami - Higashihiroshima, Japan
It was very interesting. visiting Mihonosekicho drag me into some places in Japan animation movie which I had ever watched. The old design of the town is great. It was wonderful even we can see the sea. I like this place.
7. Matsue Castle Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By GaryH990 - Bloomington, United States
A stroll around the castle moat will take you to a collection of rather old houses, done in the early style but updated for convenience. Several are now tea houses or soba noodle shops, all set in very pleasant surroundings.
8. Kumano Taisha Shrine
9. Matsue Horikawa Pleasure Boat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 314 reviews
Matsue retains a canal system and townscape with 400-year-old character, and this 50-minute boat tour is the quintessential way to see them. The boatmen will tell you about the local history and culture while you enjoy the natural scenery that changes with the seasons. The tour is open all year long with boats departing roughly every 15 minutes from three convenient locations surrounding the castle. You will remove your shoes and relax on board, enjoying the cool breeze in summer or the warm kotatsu (heated blanket) in winter. The roof provides shelter from the rain and sun, but watch your head! One of the characteristic features of the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is that the roof lowers to fit under a few of the 17 bridges around the course.
10. Yuushien Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
Reviewed By delphine95 - Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
A wonderfull garden specialized in peonies. It feels very relaxing to walk in these alleys and to enjoy this amazing and big zen garden so well maintened. You can spend easily between 30minutes and one hour to admirate ponds, pine trees, lanterns... and the room of peonies with flowers all year long.
