Shinjiko Onsen & Kyomise Area

The "Temple of Moonlight" is the family temple of the Matsudaira clan, Matsue’s longest reigning family, from 1638 to 1871. Each of the gates and graves of the nine generations of the Matsudaira clan represent a different period in the progression of Edo era architectural craftsmanship. You will also find a large stone sculpture of a tortoise bearing an even larger stone column on its back. The tortoise was rumoured to take nightly strolls about the town wreaking havoc, and therefore the large stone pillar was placed on his back to bring a halt to his nightly rampages. Gessho-ji is also renowned for its beautiful hydrangea blossoms in June.

Admission fee	Individuals   Adult (16 & over): ¥700 Child (6 - 15): ¥500 Pre-school Child: Free Optional: Matcha: ¥600 Groups Adult (16 & over): ¥600 Child (6 - 15): ¥500 Pre-school Child: Free (Cannot be combined with other discounts) Optional: Matcha: ¥600 Matcha for Child (6 - 15): ¥500
Hours	10:00 - 16:00 (tea is served from 10:30 - 15:30) However, in the month of June open hours are 8:30 - 17:30 (tea is served from 10:00 - 16:00). *Entry ends 30 minutes before closing time.
URL	https://www.gesshoji-matsue.com (Japanese)
Tel	0852-21-6056
Access	Located one kilometer west of Matsue Castle, north of Shinjiko Onsen Station. Lakeline bus from Matsue Station to Gessho-ji-mae stop (approx. 20 min.).

Kyomise Shopping District refers to the red-bricked street and nearby shops located to the north of Ohashi Bridge. There is a selection of restaurants and cafes in this area, along with souvenir shops, clothing shops, and magatama (comma shaped stone) speciality stores. There are two lucky heart shapes in the street paving to keep an eye out for, and the street is clearly marked by signs with relief carvings of Lafcadio Hearn’s on them. Near the centre, there is a square area (beside the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat boarding pier) with a giant red umbrella and yet another relief carving of Lafcadio Hearn. This carving is of Hearn, luggage in hand, departing for Japan. This area is ideal meeting spot or place to take a rest!

Access	You can reach it by foot, by bus from the station (Lake Line Bus stop 6), or by the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat by getting off at Karakoro Hiroba pier.

There is a natural hot spring source (onsen) on the northern shore of Lake Shinji. Because of this, there are also hotels and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) with onsen located on this northern shore. At Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station you can help yourself to the free foot bath (ashiyu) located conveniently outside the station, perfect for travellers to rest their weary soles.

Matsue Shinjiko Onsen station is served by city buses and the Ichibata railway. This train is featured in the film ‘Railways’, and provides easy access to Matsue English Garden, Matsue Vogel Park, and Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine.

There is a boardwalk stretching from Shinji-ko Ohashi Bridge along the northern shore of the lake, ideal for taking a walk, and often frequented by joggers. On a clear day, Mount Daisen (the Mt. Fuji of the San-in region) is visible.

There is another free foot bath located further along the lakeshore, just outside the Shijimi Clam Centre.