Matsue Things to Do

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Matsue's Buke Yashiki is a preserved samurai residence. Although you cannot walk inside the residence itself, they've opened it from the outside, so you can see what it looks like. It's not very big, but there are some artifacts to look at, and a small garden around it. It adds to the experience of visiting Matsue as a castle town.

Entrance is 300 yen but half off (150 yen) for non-Japanese.

Lafcadio Hearn, half Greek and half British, is famous throughout the world for his literature about Japan. His most famous work is probably Kwaidan, a book of Japanese ghost stories that is now also a movie. He lived in Matsue for only 15 months before moving to Kumamoto, but he is associated with Matsue, and this is where he met and married his wife. Beside the museum is his actual residence from 1890.

The museum has a variety of his personal possessions and some of his writings. For many outsiders, Lafcadio Hearn's writings were some of their first images of Japan, so it's worth a stop. Most of the buildings along this street are historical buildings, so it makes for a nice stroll.

Foreigners receive half off admission to the museum (normal admission 300 yen, foreigners pay 150 yen)but not to his actual residence (350 yen).

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Matsue Castle is one of only 12 original castles left in Japan, so it is well worth the visit. It has a rather unique look, as it is black, and much of the castle walls also remain intact. Inside the castle is an impressive collection of historical artifacts; much better than most Japanese castles. From the top, the view of Lake Shinji is also quite nice.

Foreigners can receive half off admission.

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If you like bird and flower, please visit this place. You do not only watch, but you can touch and feed some rare birds, such as Owl, Pelican, or Toucar.

Entrance fee is 1500 yen for adult (buy at the entrance gate), but including train ticket (pass ticket) is 4200 yen (train ticket itself is expensive, you can buy this pass ticket at the shinjiko onsen station).

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Matsue Castle is one of a dozen original castles in Japan; it means that the castle tower has survived over the wars, fires, earthquakes and anti-feudal activities of the post-feudal era (since 1868).
Closed to the castle there is a historical museum; it is free entrance fee. Just 10 min visit is enough.

This is the largest remaining samurai house in Matsue. The well preserved complex was originally built in 1730 and visitors wander around the outside looking into the various rooms. It gives an interesting idea of samurai lifestyle. I liked it here.

Opening Hours:
Apr-Sep 8.30-6.30
Oct-Mar 8.30-5

Lafcadio Hearn was one of the first westerners to live in Japan and write about his experiences. He actually only spent one year (1890-91) in Matsue, working as a school teacher But it was here that he fell in love with Japan and Japanese culture.
On display in the museum are many items that belonged to Hearn, including his unusal desk. He was blind in one eye and so had the desk custom built so it was closer to his good eye.
The museum is very near to his old house so both could be visited in an hour or so.

Opening hours:
Summer (April 1-September 30) 8.30-6.30
Winter (October 1-March 31) 8.30-5.00

This modern museum is situated next to the Shirakata Koen Park (see photo). Along the waterfront there is the perfect place to view the sunset over Lake Shinji. Unfortuantely the museum was closed when I wanted to visit because the usual closure day fell on a public holiday which was open, so then it's closed the next day.