Top Shimane Prefecture Bus Tours

Step into his world, married into a samurai family and transformed Japan’s ghost stories into literature to the world. Explore his former residence and the places he cherished, from samurai districts to Gessho-ji Temple at your pace. Background: When Lafcadio Hearn arrived in Japan in 1890—during the country's rapid rush toward modernization—he set out to explore the vanishing spirit of Japan. In Matsue, he encountered the everyday lives of ordinary people upholding age-old customs, and with a deep sense of reverence for the unseen, he captured these experiences in his writings. Schedule: 13:20 Meeting at the lobby of Matsue New Urban Hotel 13:30 Depart - tour begins 13:45 Matsue Castle — Otemon Gate area 13:55 Matsue Jozan Inari Shrine 14:45 Lafcadio Hearn Museum & Former Residence 15:46 Taking the Lake Line Bus 15:51 Gesshoji Temple 16:20 Dispersal at the site or Matsue New Urban Hotel

Make the most of your time in Eastern Shimane with a private day tour of Matsue and the surrounding area. Skip the rigid itineraries of group tours and customizable your tour by choosing 3–4 attractions that appeal most to your interests. Check out Matsue Castle, the Izumo Grand Shrine, Inasa Beach, or other cultural and natural attractions.

- Explore Shimane with a private car with a comfortable air conditioned. - Places that are hard to reach by public transport are now easily accessible by private car. - You can also visit the sights that are not included in the day trip, Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art and Izumo Taisha Shrine. You can learn the history of Shimane deeper and immerse the culture and tradition with long history Izumo. - You can customize the itinerary based on this default schedule.

Matsue, a city rich in history and culture, awaits your exploration with the Discover Another Japan Pass (DAJP). This tour provides a 1-day pass that unlocks access to around 120 facilities in the San'in region. With a knowledgeable guide fluent in English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese by your side, you can navigate the city effortlessly and tailor your own itinerary. The pass allows for flexibility in your journey, ensuring you experience the best of Matsue and even includes guidance at locations not covered by the DAJP. - Access to approximately 120 facilities with DAJP - Explore at your own pace and create a personalized itinerary - English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese-speaking guide available - Flexible tour design with guidance for non-DAJP locations

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. Flourishing from the 16th century to 20th century, its silver was exported globally, and it is said it produced one-third of the world's silver in the 17th century. This significantly boosted the cultural and economical development in East Asia. This area still preserves its historical townscapes of the middle ages, and shows the coexistence of human industrial activities and nature.

In the 17th century, Izumo washi was used not only for writing but also to wrap and protect precious tea utensils. Discover how this tradition was revived by Abe Eishiro, a papermaker celebrated by the Mingei folk craft movement and later named a Living National Treasure. Then, guided by his grandson, scoop, shake and decorate your very own sheet of handmade washi to take home. Schedule: 09:00　Meeting at the lobby of Matsue New Urban Hotel, briefing on Fumai and washi 09:40　Abe Eishiro Memorial Museum — video and exhibition 10:10　Hands-on washi papermaking with the craftsman 10:40　Visit to Abe Eishiro's former workshop while your washi dries 11:20　Receive your washi (free time in Yakumo if time allows) 12:00　Arrival at Matsue New Urban Hotel

On the volcanic island of Daikonshima, Yuushien garden recreates the mountains, rivers and lakes of the Izumo region in miniature. Stroll through it with one of its gardeners and discover the daily care behind every pine and patch of moss. Then learn how Matsudaira Fumai, lord of Matsue, turned ginseng grown here into a treasure that rescued the domain's finances, and taste it for yourself as tea. Schedule: 09:30　Meeting at the lobby of Matsue New Urban Hotel 10:00　Yuushien — garden tour with a gardener 11:00　The story of Fumai and Daikonshima, ginseng tea tasting 11:40　Free time in the garden 12:30　Arrival at Matsue New Urban Hotel

Discover tatara, the ancient Japanese ironmaking method that brought prosperity to the region in the time of Matsudaira Fumai, Matsue's tea-loving lord. Stroll through the historic iron village of Yoshida, step inside Sugaya Tatara Sannai, the only surviving tatara furnace building in Japan, then heat, hammer and shape a simple nail into your very own paper knife, guided by a local blacksmith. Schedule: 13:00　Meeting at the lobby of Matsue New Urban Hotel, briefing on Fumai and tatara 14:15　Yoshida Village — Tanabe family storehouses and old streets 15:00　Sugaya Tatara Sannai — tatara furnace building 15:30　Hands-on paper knife forging at the blacksmith's workshop 16:30　Departure for Matsue 17:30　Arrival at Matsue New Urban Hotel

Explore the coastal legends of the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki (733) at Kaga-no-Kukedo and experience shrine traditions at Sada Shrine through a tamagushi offering and a performance of Sada Shin Noh. At Mitsu Fishing Port, learn directly from a local fisherman as you try ikejime and fish filleting. A local guide and an immersive audio guide share the stories behind the places you visit. This tour is ideal for travelers interested in Japanese mythology, local seafood culture, and hands-on experiences with local people. Schedule: 09:00 Meet at Matsue New Urban Hotel; Fudoki introduction 09:30 Depart by private vehicle 10:20 Kaga-no-Kukedo – sea cave cruise 11:45 Mitsu Fishing Port – ikejime, filleting and lunch 14:00 Sada Shrine – happi coats, tamagushi offering, Sada Shin Noh and priest-led tour 16:05 Etomo Shrine – sacred rocks 16:35 Kōura Observation Deck – Fudoki coast views 17:15 Return to Matsue New Urban Hotel

Completed in 733, the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki is Japan's only nearly intact ancient provincial record. Explore its legendary sites with a local guide and immersive audio guide. Experience a sacred Shinto ceremony, meet local people, enjoy wild boar cuisine, and ride an electric Striemo through historic landscapes.