Photo By: Laura Payne
Region
Chugoku
Island
Honshu
Largest City
Matsue
Population
761,499

Matsue Castle

One of the best places in Shimane to enjoy cherry blossoms or take in views of Lake Shinji.

By Laura Payne

Matsue Castle is the only remaining castle in Shimane Prefecture and one of only 12 in Japan that preserves its original centuries-old tower.

Built atop a hill that overlooks the city, this is one of the best places in Shimane to enjoy cherry blossoms or take in views of Lake Shinji. Moreover, the castle is a must-see for fans of Japanese tea culture because Matsudaira Fumai, the seventh lord of Matsue and founder of the Fumai-ryu tea ceremony, once made his home here.

A designated national treasure

Matsue Castle in Shimane, Japan.

Photo by: iStock/ itasun A beautifully well-preserved castle offering 360-degree views of the city and surrounding nature.

From 1638 until Japan’s modernization period in the 19th century, Matsue Castle was controlled by the Matsudaira clan–relatives of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Modern-day visitors who ascend the castle’s six floors can walk in the footsteps of these lords and discover displays of feudal armor, weapons and tools of daily life. Original structure features such as gunports, windows for dropping stones on attackers and a basement well are also preserved. Upon reaching the castle’s top floor, a 360-degree view of Matsue city and its surrounding nature awaits.

The castle grounds contain other historical treasures as well. The kounkaku (a Western-style mansion) that served as a guesthouse for Japan’s crown prince, sits slightly lower on the hill. It is free to enter and houses a small cafe on the first floor.

At the base of Matsue Castle, the Horikawa sightseeing boats take visitors on a ride through the castle moat and a network of canals that have remained for over 400 years. Be ready to duck on this tour. The boats pass under low bridges, and their roofs are designed to lower to fit underneath.

Celebrating tea culture

Photo by: iStock/ oluolu3 Matsue city annually honors Fumai’s legacy by hosting a Grand Tea Ceremony on the castle grounds.

Matsue is considered a major tea ceremony culture city thanks to the influence of Lord Matsudaira Harusato, better known by his tea practitioner name Fumai. In addition to founding his own style of tea ceremony, which is still practiced today, he patronized the local production of wagashi (tea sweets). He elevated them to the status of regional specialty.

Matsue city annually honors Fumai’s legacy by hosting a Grand Tea Ceremony on the castle grounds. Here, practitioners of matcha, black tea and green tea ceremonies invite visitors to sample their craft’s delicious and elegant artistry. This event is one of the best places for connoisseurs and newcomers to experience the breadth of Japan’s tea culture.

Things To Know

Castle Hours

The castle tower is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from April through September. The tower is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through March. General admission for adults is  ¥680.

Matsue Castle and the Horikawa Sightseeing Boats offer discounted admission tickets to international residents and travelers. Please present your passport or residence card at the ticket window to claim this discount. Currently, Matsue Castle’s tower is only accessible by stairs.

The base of the castle grounds are wheelchair and stroller accessible, but reaching the higher areas of the castle grounds may be difficult.

Grand Tea Ceremony

The Grand Tea Ceremony is typically held during the last weekend of October, but it is advisable to double-check this ahead of time as the dates may change slightly. In case of bad weather, the tea ceremony venue may change from the castle grounds to nearby historical sites, museums, and other indoor spaces.

How To Get There

Address

By train

If traveling from Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo bullet train to Okayama station and transfer to the Yakumo express train. This train will reach Matsue station in about three hours, and the castle is accessible from there by bus or on foot.

By bus

Take the Lakeline Bus from Matsue station and get off at Matsue Castle Ote-mae.

By foot

Matsue Castle is about a 30-minute walk from Matsue station.

Where To Stay

Matsueshinjiko Onsen Matsue New Urban Hotel
  • 40-1 Nishichamachi, Matsue-shi, Shimane, 690-0845 Japan
  • ¥7,000 - ¥14,000
  • 4.19/5 (3,530 reviews)
  • 0.8 km
Matsueshinjiko Onsen Ohashikan
  • 40 Suetsuguhommachi, Matsue-shi, Shimane, 690-0843 Japan
  • ¥12,710 - ¥19,070
  • 4.08/5 (441 reviews)
  • 0.9 km
Onyado Nono Matsue
  • 2-35 Higashihommachi, Matsue-shi, Shimane, 690-0842 Japan
  • ¥21,819 - ¥29,040
  • 4.63/5 (528 reviews)
  • 0.9 km
Hotel Route-Inn Matsue
  • 2-22 Higashihommachi, Matsue-shi, Shimane, 690-0842 Japan
  • ¥9,500 - ¥10,500
  • 4.12/5 (1,194 reviews)
  • 0.9 km
Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Hotel Ichibata
  • 30 Chidoricho, Matsue-shi, Shimane, 690-0852 Japan
  • ¥11,880 - ¥24,970
  • 4.33/5 (2,376 reviews)
  • 1.2 km

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