Top Shimane Prefecture Half-day Tours

Explore the timeless charm of Matsue Castle Town on a scenic moat cruise. Glide along tranquil waterways to the National Treasure Matsue Castle, step inside its historic keep, then wander through atmospheric streets lined with samurai residences and cultural landmarks. This immersive 4-hour journey invites you to see, walk, and truly feel the living history of Matsue.

Rather than spending the day stuck in traffic or searching for somewhere to park, opt for a more immersive experience of Tsuwano on an electric bike tour. You'll cover more ground than you could on foot without having to expend too much energy thanks to the motor of your e-bike. Plus, your guide leads the way so that you don't need to keep stopping to check the map.

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