Visiting Matsue

While Matsue has made considerable efforts to make any international travellers’ stay here an enjoyable one, there are many establishments that cannot serve you in English. However, for the most part, the local people and shop or restaurant/hotel workers are friendly, and will try to communicate with you if you approach them.

Some establishments have point-and-speak guidebooks, which help with overcome the language barrier to communicate specific points, such as allergy concerns. This has both English/Japanese expressions and picture menus.

For useful Japanese phrases, refer to the Dan-dan map available in a number of locations in Matsue. The Dan-dan map can also be downloaded further below.

For any enquiries you may have, we recommend that you contact the International Tourism Information Office outside JR Matsue Station’s north exit.

In the event of a disaster, you can charge smartphones/tablets at the International Tourism Information Office.

Matsue International Tourism Information Office
Phone	0852-21-4034
E-mail
Brochures/Leaflets	Available in English, French, Chinese and Korean.
Wi-Fi	Available Internet
PC	Available

Matsue has a varied selection of local products including handmade craftwork and foods which make great souvenirs. See our Culture and Specialities sections for more details. The following is a list of popular items characteristic of Matsue:

Edibles:

• Izumo Soba (Buckwheat Noodles)
• Shijimi Clams from Lake Shinji
• Japanese confectionary such as wakakusa, natane-no-sato, and yamakawa
• Agonoyaki (Flying fish grilled sausage)
• Hoshi-gaki (Dried persimmons)
• Local Sake

Other Items:

• Agate Jewelry, especially Magatama (comma-shaped bead charms)
• Yakumo Lacquerware
• Fujina, Sodeshi, and Rakuzan Pottery
• Washi Temari (colourful thread-decorated balls)
• Matsue Anesama Ningyo paper doll
• Handmade paper

You can find a large selection with items available to suit almost all needs at the following locations.
(Click here to open Lake Line Bus Map PDF)

* Shimane Local Products Centre (“Shimane Bussan/Furusato-kan”)
Location: Across the road from the car park at the entrance to Matsue Castle.
Lake Line Bus stop 8 (Otemae Horikawa Sightseeing Boat Pier).
Open: 9:00-18:00.
Website: http://www.shimane-bussan.or.jp/ (Japanese)

* Matsue Horikawa Microbrewery (“Jibiiru-kan”)
Location: 10 mins walk east from the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum end of Shiomi Nawate. One of the three Horikawa Sightseeing Boat piers is also located there, as well as the Fureai Hiroba Square.
Lake Line Bus stop 11 (Main Horikawa Sightseeing Boarding Pier)
Open: 9:00-17:30 (17:00 during the winter months).
Website: http://www.ichibata.co.jp/jibeer/ (Japanese)

* Shijimi Clam Centre (“Shijimi-kan”)
Location: 5 mins walk southwest from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station.
Lake Line Bus stop 18 (Chidori-cho) or 20 (Chidori Minami Koen Park).
Open: 8:40 - 17:30 (Mar-Nov), 9:00 - 17:00 (Dec-Feb).
Website: http://www.shijimikan.com/ (Japanese)

*The Matsue Goodwill Guide are a voluntary group who offer guided tours in English of Matsue Castle, the surrounding area, and even Izumo Taisha and Iwami Silver Mines. These guides are free of charge, except where transportation costs are incurred. For tours of the castle, there is always a guide present inside the castle grounds (March to November) on weekends from 10:00 to 16:00, but in order to ensure the guides availability, please make a reservation. Guides of other areas also require advance reservations.

Please make your reservation by e-mail, or if you need phone support, please call the Matsue International Tourism Information Office.

Phone  0852-21-4034  (Matsue International Tourism Information Office)
Japanese website  https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/machiaruki/course 

*Shimane Interpreter-Guide Association (SIGA) offer guided tours at ¥4,000 per hour. Make reservations by telephone at 0852-61-1081, or e-mail to .

*For a guided tour in the Yakumo Tatsu Fudoki-no-Oka area (south of Matsue), contact the Resource Centre at 0852-23-2485 to make a reservation.