Parks and the outdoors in Matsue

11 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Matsue.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Floating lanterns on Lake Shinji
Held each year mid August at the end of the Obon festival. The sight of floating paper lanterns being placed on Lake Shinji, symbolizing the return of ancestor spirits to another realm, is quite breathtaking. In 2012 this event will be held on the 16th of August.
19:00
See
Kumano Grand Shrine
熊野大社 Kumano Taisha
Kumano Taisha (Kumano Grand Shrine) rests imposingly at the foot of Kumano Mountain across a bright red bridge at the headwaters of the Iu river. It has long been the region's Ichinomiya, or principal shrine, though today the nationally revered Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine ranks higher.
Free
See
Matsue Castle
松江城, Matsuejo
The castle keep is one of only twelve original castles left in Japan, dating back to 1611. Inside the castle you'll find an impressive array of original artifacts from the Matsudaira clan including original armor, swords, and helmets. The top of the castle offers a great view of Matsue City and Lake Shinji.
Closed · opens 8:30 amAdults ¥550, children ¥280. 50% discount for foreigners
See
Matsue Vogel Park
松江フォーゲルパーク
One of the largest greenhouses in the entire world, Vogel Park has an impressive variety of flowers and greenery. It is also an aviary housing many different species of birds, including a popular quartet of penguins.
Summer: 10:00-16:45, winter: 10:00-16:15¥1500, 30% discount for foreigners
Eat
Restaurant & Cafe Laut
レストラン＆カフェラウ, Resutoran Ando Kafe Rau
Situated in the back of Matsue English Garden, this trendy lounge style restaurant is a bit out of the way, but the views over Lake Shinji and atmosphere more than make up for it. Serves the largest pizzas in Matsue and bakes its own bread. English Garden is closed in the evening, so you'll have to walking along the path on the right side to the back English Garden to get to Laut. Laut is sometimes reserved by wedding parties, so it's a good idea to call ahead. Vegetarian friendly, consult with the waiter.
Wed-Mon 11:30-14:30, 18:00-21:00Lunch ¥1200, dinner ¥2500-7500
See
Shimane Art Museum
島根県立美術館 Shimane Kenristu Bijutsukan
Works by artists from Shimane prefecture as well as from other parts of Japan are on display. The museum also has a nice selection of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. There are often special exhibitions featuring Japanese and international artists. The museum has a lakeside sculpture park. When you encounter the statues of a line of hopping rabbits be sure to rub the head of the foremost rabbit as it is said that this brings good luck.
Wed-Mon 10:00-18:30Permanent exhibition ¥300, special exhibitions ¥1000. Foreigners get a 50% discount on special exhibitions
Do
Suigosai Fireworks
Massive fireworks display over Lake Shinji on two consecutive evenings, the second evening having the larger show. The Suigosai festival is held yearly late July or early August. Many locals like to lay down a plastic sheet the day before to reserve a top viewing spot, so don't be afraid to do the same. The northern bank of Lake Shinji will be host to a huge amount of food stalls.
First day: 20:00-20:30, second day: 20:00-21:00Free
See
Sunset over Lake Shinji
Among Japanese sunset connoisseurs the sunsets over Lake Shinji rank as number 2 on the national list (the number 1 spot being taken by the floating torii at Miyajima). A special sunset viewing platform (Yuuhi Spot) which has been constructed along the lakeside is the best place to see the sun go down behind Yomegashima island. Especially on the weekends dozens of photographers gather here to try to take the perfect shot of the sunset.
Depending on the season. Sunsets tend to be the most spectacular during late summerFree
Do
Tamatsukuri Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival
玉造温泉桜まつり
Held yearly from late March to mid April. The cherry blossom trees in Tamatsukuri Onsen hot springs town will be in full bloom, so it's a great spot to have a picnic and maybe afterwards have a long soak in one of Tamatsukuri's many hot springs. Lots of events are held on the weekends and the streets are lit until late, making it an ideal place for a romantic evening stroll along the river which runs through town.
Closed · opens 7 amFree
Eat
Yakumo-an
八雲庵
A picturesque restaurant in a former samurai residence, with central garden, teahouse and carp-filled pond, specializing in soba and udon noodles.
Closed · opens 9:30 amLunches for under ¥1000
See
Yuushien Garden
由志園 Yūshien
This garden is on nearby Daikonjima island and has been designed so that it shows different flowers in each season. Daikonjima is famous for its peonies and 250 different kinds are on display at Yuushien.
Closed · opens 8:30 am¥600

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Matsue (CC BY-SA 4.0).