Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Eastern Shimane!
Shimane Prefecture sits on the southwestern portion of Japan's main island of Honshu, and is the perfect spot to visit if you're looking for an off the beaten path travel experience. Often overlooked by visitors in favor of more well known destinations, the region has culture, nature and history by the bucketload – just without the massive crowds to battle!
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
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Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Matsue
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private transportation
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.
Matsue Castle, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan One of Shimane’s biggest drawcards has to be Matsue Castle. There are various beautiful castles scattered all across Japan, but many of those are restorations – the original structures were destroyed by fires or earthquakes, or demolished by the new Meiji government at the close of the feudal era. Matsue Castle dates back to the early 1600s, and is unique in that it still remains in its original form. For a small admission fee, you can climb up to the top level of the castle itself and get some fantastic views across the city – it's worth every yen! 60 minutes
Izumo Grand Shrine, Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan If you’re after a significant shrine to visit, you can’t look past Izumo Taisha. Known as one of the oldest and the most important shrines in Japan, it’s a spot that people come to pray for love and good fortune. You’ll hear people clapping four times instead of the usual two when they pray here – it’s for the purpose of clapping once for themselves, and once for their current (or hopeful!) partners. The shrine also sells goshuin, a type of book used to collect stamps from shrines, which makes for a perfect souvenir to carry along throughout your journeys in Japan. 60 minutes
Adachi Museum of Art, Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan The Adachi Museum of Art features so much more than just displays of pottery, paintings and hanging scrolls – there are some downright incredible gardens here as well. They’re so well regarded that they win prizes year after year for being the best gardens in all of Japan. In addition to the displays of beautiful artwork and breathtaking nature, there are two charming teahouses on site, where you can enjoy some matcha and Japanese sweets while taking in the surrounding views. 60 minutes
Shinji Lake, Shimane Prefecture, Japan Lake Shinji comes in at number 7 on the list of Japan’s largest lakes, and is the perfect spot to take in the sunset over Matsue. If you’d like to get out on the water itself to appreciate all of the natural beauty, there are several different boat companies that take passengers out for evening cruises. If you can't plan a visit to the lake to coincide with sunset, never fear – it's still a stunning sight to see no matter the time of day. 60 minutes
Matsue Vogel Park, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan In one of the world’s largest greenhouses, there’s a garden with several thousand types of begonias, and 800 unusual specimens representing approximately 80 species of the world’s birds. There are also programs in which you can see the birds up close and popular bird shows. 60 minutes
Matsue Castle Town, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan If you’re a history buff, checking out Matsue’s Samurai Residences needs to be added to your Shimane itinerary. The residences are situated in close proximity to Matsue Castle, and have been preserved to give you an idea of how some high ranking samurai families would have lived in times gone by. The residences have been under renovation for some time now, but are scheduled to reopen in August 2018. 60 minutes
Yuushien, 1260-2 Yatsukachō Hanyū, Matsue, Shimane 690-1404, Japan Touted as one of the best gardens in Japan is Yushien, which has something to enjoy no matter which season you plan to visit. They’re probably most well known for their beautiful springtime peonies, but the gardens are also revered as a spot to enjoy the changing leaves of autumn, known in Japan as koyo. As well as the beauty of nature to enjoy, the grounds also boast several restaurants where you can appreciate the views over a bite to eat. 60 minutes
2711 Taishachō Kizukikita, Izumo, Shimane 699-0702, Japan If you want to visit a beach with one of the most unique and beautiful shrines in Japan, heading to Inasanohama Beach is a must. Just a short distance away from Izumo Taisha Shrine, the beach here has a large rock pillar sitting in the water with a shrine atop it. The shrine here is said to be the home of a female sea deity, who keeps a watchful eye over sailors and ensures their safety. 60 minutes
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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