The city
of water

For those who want to understand how Japan came to be: an original castle, the samurai quarter and the great shrines of the old Izumo Province.

1. Matsue CastleOne of only twelve castles in Japan with an original keep, completed in 1611, a National Treasure since 2015. You can climb all the way to the top.
2. Shiomi NawateStreet along the castle moat with old samurai houses and pine trees.
3. Kumano TaishaAlongside Izumo Taisha, the first-ranked shrine of the old Izumo Province, in the Yakumo district in the south of the city.
4. Miho ShrineHead shrine of Ebisu, god of good fortune, at the eastern tip of the peninsula in the port town of Mihonoseki.
5. Izumo Taisha (excursion)OptionalOne of the oldest and most important shrines in Japan, in the neighbouring city of Izumo.

For those who know Japan from books: in the footsteps of Lafcadio Hearn, who lived here and described Japan for the West.

1. Lafcadio Hearn Memorial MuseumMuseum dedicated to the writer who lived and wrote in Matsue as Koizumi Yakumo.
2. Hearn's former residenceThe samurai house where Hearn lived in 1891, with the garden he wrote about.
3. Gessho-jiFamily temple of the lords of Matsue. Hearn wrote about the giant stone turtle in its grounds.
4. Kaka no KukedoOptionalLarge sea cave on the north coast in Daisen-Oki National Park, reachable only by boat. Hearn visited and wrote about it.

For parents with children: short distances, a boat ride, a park for rainy days, a garden and the beach.

1. Horikawa boat tourAbout 50 minutes by small boat around the castle. Everyone ducks under the low bridges, and in winter there are kotatsu tables.
2. Matsue CastleOne of only twelve castles in Japan with an original keep, completed in 1611, a National Treasure since 2015. You can climb all the way to the top.
3. Matsue Vogel ParkBird and flower park on Lake Shinji, largely under glass, so good on rainy days too. "Vogel" is German for bird.
4. YuushienJapanese garden on Daikonshima island in Lake Nakaumi, famous for its peonies.
5. Koura BeachOptionalSandy beach on the north coast in the Kashima district.

For those who travel with a camera: castle, sea cave, one of Japan's most famous gardens and sunset over the lake.

1. Adachi Museum of ArtIts garden has been ranked the best in Japan 23 years running. In the neighbouring city of Yasugi.
2. Matsue CastleOne of only twelve castles in Japan with an original keep, completed in 1611, a National Treasure since 2015. You can climb all the way to the top.
3. Kaka no KukedoLarge sea cave on the north coast in Daisen-Oki National Park, reachable only by boat. Hearn visited and wrote about it.
4. Sunset at Lake ShinjiJizo statues on the shore with Yomegashima island behind. Locals come here in the evening too.
5. Mihonoseki LighthouseOptionalLighthouse at the eastern tip of the peninsula, overlooking the Sea of Japan.

For those who come to bathe: hot springs by the lake and in one of the oldest onsen towns in Japan.

1. Matsue Shinjiko OnsenHot springs right on the lakeshore in the middle of the city.
2. Tamatsukuri OnsenAlready mentioned in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki of 733. Ryokan along the river and a foot bath on the bank.
3. Tamatsukuriyu ShrineShrine in the onsen town with the "wishing stone" for your wishes.
4. Sunset at Lake ShinjiJizo statues on the shore with Yomegashima island behind. Locals come here in the evening too.

For travellers on a small budget: on foot, by bus and train, a volcanic island, a lava cave and a tent by the sea. The whole area is a geopark.

1. Matsue StationStarting point: trains, airport buses and budget hotels within walking distance.
2. Shiomi NawateStreet along the castle moat with old samurai houses and pine trees.
3. Ryukeido lava tubeLava cave on the volcanic island of Daikonshima, a natural monument. Guided tours by reservation only, mostly on summer weekends. I can check dates for you.
4. KatsurajimaSmall island by Kaka harbour with a swimming beach and campsite.
5. Miho ShrineOptionalHead shrine of Ebisu, god of good fortune, at the eastern tip of the peninsula in the port town of Mihonoseki.