Matsue Vogel Park

A flower park complete with a large greenhouse, lakeside observation deck and resident birds.

By Laura Payne

Vogel Park is one of the stops on the Ichibata Electric Railway, a locally owned and operated train line along Lake Shinji’s northern shore. Those who disembark at this stop can discover an indoor flower park complete with a greenhouse that grows flowers all year long, an observation tower overlooking the lake and enclosures of birds from all over the world.

Most of the park is indoors, so Vogel Park welcomes visitors regardless of season or weather.

Flowers and photo opportunities

Photo by: WikiCommons/Tzu-hsun Hsu Flowers all year round.

When one first enters Vogel Park, they are greeted by a large greenhouse that raises several varieties of flowers, particularly begonia. Hanging baskets, water features and other structures artfully display the flowers and create a world of lush color.

This greenhouse is one of the most popular places in the park to take commemorative photos. Stands for smartphones and cameras are placed in front of unique flower arrangements, which include a heart made of hanging baskets and a bench seated in front of a wall of potted plants.

Restaurant Flora, one of the park’s two on-site eateries, is also here. Surrounded by flowers, guests can enjoy full meals or snacks served exclusively at Vogel Park, such as begonia soft-serve ice cream. The park’s other restaurant, Fumaian, is next to an outdoor pond and specializes in Izumo soba (whole grain buckwheat noodles that are a delicacy of Shimane Prefecture).

A bird’s eye view

Photo by: PIXTA/オフィスK A sweeping 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and Lake Shinji

Another prominent feature of Vogel Park is its observation tower. Located just outside the greenhouse, this tower lifts guests into the air and provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and Lake Shinji. Depending on the season and the time of day, the view from Vogel Park’s observation tower might include fishermen, the sunset or airplanes descending into Izumo Airport.

Outside of its flowers and lake views, Vogel Park is known for housing birds such as owls, Cape penguins, and toucans. Visitors can get to know the birds through educational exhibits or interactive shows held multiple times daily. Certain park areas also allow guests to feed the birds for a small fee.

Things To Know

Hours and fees

Official website: https://www.ichibata.co.jp/vogelpark/en/

From April to September, the park is open from 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (last entry at 4:45 P.M.). From October to March, the park is open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. (last admission at 4:15 P.M.).

Discounted admission is offered to international visitors. Please present your passport or residence card upon purchase. Discounts are also available for groups of more than 15 people and children up to 15 years of age. Children of kindergarten age or younger can enter for free.

Vogel Park is wheelchair and stroller-accessible. There are also free rentals of wheelchairs, strollers and walkers available at the main entrance.

To protect the health of the park’s birds, please use the hand sanitizer, or hand washing sinks provided between buildings.

How To Get There

Address

By train

If traveling from Matsue, take a train from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen station and alight at Vogel Park. If traveling from Izumo, take a train from Dentetsu Izumo station to Kawato station. Transfer to a train for Matsue here, then disembark at Vogel Park.

Please note that trains on the line to Vogel Park are privately run and are not covered by a JR Rail Pass. However, local transportation discount tickets are available in Matsue, Izumo or Yonago. More information can be found on Matsue city’s official travel website.