Matsue, Shimane / 国宝松江城
Matsue Castle (National Treasure)
One of the 12 castle keeps surviving in Japan, also called "Chidori Castle", designated a National Treasure in July 2015. From the top-floor lookout you see the city of Matsue and Lake Shinji. Inside, you climb the paulownia-wood stairs that date from the castle's construction; there are no elevators. The wooden shachihoko (about 2 m) is the largest in Japan. The castle is lit up every night.
Last official check
26 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
25 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Train / Bus
- Admission
- Paid (see the price below)
- Closing days
- Open every day (check the notes below)
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
8:30-18:00 April-September, 8:30-17:00 October-March (admission until 30 minutes before closing).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Closed
Open every day.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Admission
Keep entry: adults 1,200 yen, elementary and junior high free. Buy tickets at the Shiroyama management office window (not sold at the keep).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Getting there
About 10 minutes by Lake Line bus from JR Matsue Station to Kokuho Matsue-jo (Otemae), then 2 minutes on foot; by car, right by the Otemae car park.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Matsue, Shimane (Japanese address: 島根県松江市殿町1-5)
Official site: https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/kankou/desc/?cat=%E8%A6%B3%E5%85%89%E6%96%BD%E8%A8%AD&spot=27622
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetKounkakuShimaneLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetMatsue History MuseumShimaneLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetMatsue Horan Enya DenshokanShimaneLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetSamurai Residence (Buke Yashiki)ShimaneLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetShiomi NawateShimaneLess than 1 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Light-up every night: 17:00-22:00 October-March, 18:00-22:00 April-September.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Verification log
- 26 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/kankou/desc/?cat=%E8%A6%B3%E5%85%89%E6%96%BD%E8%A8%AD&spot=27622Hours, closing days, fees, access, seasons, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.