Enjoy Matsue

On this page, you will find information about fun activities you can do in Matsue, like taking part in workshops or finding the perfect onsen to relax in.

Matsue is blessed with many onsen. Here is a list of Japanese inns (ryokan), hotels and other facilities where bathing without an overnight stay is offered (higaeri onsen). This list does not include the hotels and ryokan where you need to stay overnight or have a meal to enjoy and access the onsen. Please click on the links to find more details on each area, and be sure to be mindful of bathing etiquette when visiting the public baths. The information (price and time) is subject to change.

Located on the north-side of Matsue city center, Matsue Shinjiko Onsen is home to many hotels which provide their guests with hot, naturally mineral-rich baths, but only a few of them provide access for guests not staying the night. There are also two free foot baths (ashiyu) near the Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station on the Ichibata Railway line, and the Shijimi Clam Center. Enjoy a chat with the locals, but please refrain from eating while using the footbaths. Towels can be purchased in the nearby facilities.

Place (Japanese)	Fee	Hours
Suitenkaku (Japanese) 夕景湖畔すいてんかく	¥1,000	11:00~15:00
Matsue New Urban Hotel (Japanese) 松江ニューアーバンホテル	¥1,100 (or ¥150 if you have a meal there)	12:00~23:30

Located on the South side of Lake Shinji, the hot spring area of Tamatsukuri Onsen is home to several traditional ryokan, many ashiyu foot baths and a public facility called Tamatsukuri Onsen Yuuyu. Tamatsukuri International Hotel is near the shores of Lake Shinji and Tamatsukuri Onsen Station and also provides easy access to its onsen.

Place (Japanese)	Fee - Adult (Child)	Hours
Tamatsukuri Onsen Yuuyu (Japanese) 玉造温泉ゆ～ゆ	¥500	10:00~22:00 Closed on Mondays.
Hotel Gyokusen (Japanese) ホテル玉泉	¥1,600	11:00~15:00 ※Confirm availability at front desk
Kaisuien Minami 佳翠苑皆美	¥1,500	11:00~15:00 Only available on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays ※Confirm availability at front desk
Tamatsukuri International Hotel (Japanese) 玉造国際ホテル	¥500	12:00~20:00
Matsunoyu (Japanese) 松乃湯	¥1,200	11:30~21:00 ※Confirm availability at front desk ※Only access to large bath available

The district of Yakumo, in southeast Matsue, is home to Yuai Kumanokan Onsen, a lodging and bathing facility, and Hotland Yakumo (a swimming pool using onsen water), both located next to Kumano Taisha Shrine.

Place (Japanese)	Fee - Adult (Child)	Hours
Yuai Kumanokan Onsen (Japanese) ゆうあい熊野温泉	¥410	10:00~21:30. Closed every third Tuesday.

Located in northern Matsue, Kashima District is home to Kashima Taku-no-yu Onsen.

Place (Japanese)	Fee - Adult (Child)	Hours
Kashima Taku-no-Yu (Japanese) 鹿島多久の湯	¥410	10:00~21:30. Closed every third Tuesday.

• No photos
• Avoid taking baths after drinking alcohol, because alcohol makes you dizzy.
• First, wash your body and hair and rinse off completely before you soak in the bath water. Be careful not to splash on other bathers.
• Pour water over your body and get used to the temperature before entering the tub.
• Don't let your hair or towel get in the tub water. Keep long hair tied up.
• Don't swim.
• As your body warms up, take breaks by keeping your wrists or your torso out of the water. Soaking too long will make you dizzy.
• Wipe your body lightly with your hand towel before you going back to the changing room to avoid dripping water on the floor.
• After taking a bath, drink water.

Matsue provides many chances to experience traditional Japanese culture!

Matsue has a long history of producing Japanese confectioneries, and is considered one of the wagashi mecca in Japan [See our Culture page]. You can find many wagashi shops all around town, and also enjoy them with matcha (powdered green tea) in places like Gessho-ji Temple, Meimei-an Tea House, or Kangetsu-an Tea House in Fumon-in Temple. Don’t miss the wonderful Kiharu tea room of Matsue History Museum, where you can watch Mr. Tsugio Itami – one of Japan’s best wagashi craftsmen – perform his art in front of you. You can also learn how to make your own wagashi in Karakoro Art Studio.

Place	Fee and Hours
Gessho-ji Temple	Entrance fee with discount: ¥300 Tea and wagashi: ¥450 Apr - Oct, 8:30~17:30 Nov - Mar, 8:30~17:00
Meimei-an Tea House	Entrance fee (no discount): ¥410 Tea and wagashi: ¥410 Apr - Sep, 8:30~18:30 Oct - Mar, 8:30~17:00
Kangetsu-an Tea House (Japanese) (in Fumon-in Temple, near Matsue History Museum)	Entrance fee (no discount): ¥300 Tea and wagashi: ¥900 10:00~16:00 Closed on Tuedays and January~February
Kiharu Tea Room (in Matsue History Museum)	Free entrance. See the menu on Kiharu Tea Room Website (Japanese).

With a little help from the professionals, how about trying your hand at some traditional crafts, like carving Magatama jewels or making Washi (Japanese paper)?

Magatama (comma shaped beads) are thought to hold spiritual powers. The area of Tamatsukuri Onsen, in southern Matsue, is deeply linked to them. There, as well as in Matsue’s city center, you can find shops selling Magatama and workshops where you can make your own. More information in our articles, the land of Magatama and Karakoro Art Studio.

In southern Matsue, you can also try your hands at making Washi, traditional Japanese paper inside the Abe Eishiro Memorial Museum and all kinds of other crafts in the atelier of Izumo Kanbe-no-Sato.

What better way to immerse yourself in tradition and experience the historic castle town of Matsue than renting a kimono for the day?

Reservations can be made (in Japanese) at Kageyama Gofuku-ten at 0852-22-0529 (10:00-18:30). Closed on Wednesdays. Prices start at ¥3,300 (incl. tabi).

If you wish to make a reservation, but do not speak Japanese, please contact the International Tourist Information Centre in front of JR Matsue station, or by phone at 0852-21-4034, or e-mail to .

Another option for kimono rental is at Karakoro Art Studio. Prices start at ¥6,000, and reservation is required (0852-20-7000)

More info on rentals in Japanese here.