Shimane is one of the most remote prefectures of Japan’s main Honshu island, though I’ve never seen that as a bad thing. Certainly, the lack of a Shinkansen connection makes the notion of “overtourism” (which I’ve always found dubious) even more absurd here.
Of course, the relative solitude in which you’ll find yourself as you explore Shimane-ken is not its only selling point. The array of attractions and experiences here its truly top-notch, from cities like Matsue and Izumo, to attractions like the Adachi Museum of Art.
My Shimane travel guide takes all of this—and so much more—into account. I hope you’ll stick with me as I talk you through the ins and outs.
Where to Stay in Shimane Prefecture
The majority of Shimane hotels are in Matsue, which makes sense: It’s the largest city in Shimane prefecture (though not by much—more on that in a second). Anyway, you’ll find a surprisingly large range of accommodations here, from business hotels like Daiwa Roynet Hotel Matsue Ekimae, to proper ryokan like Ohashikan, all of which are right in the heart of the city.
Now of course, you could base yourself in Izumo, which is only slightly less populous than Matsue (in spite of feeling much less so, in my experience). The thing is, Izumo is a great deal less convenient than Matsue, with its historical center around 15-20 minutes away from Izumoshi Station by bus and local rail. And so unless you simply fall in love with a particular lodging here (or if you rent a car), Matsue is simply a more convenient base.
How to Put Your Shimane Itinerary Together
Base yourself in Matsue or Izumo
As I referenced above, the only real places in Shimane it makes sense to base yourself are its two-largest cities. As I also alluded to, Matsue is probably my preference, both because of its convenience and because its top attractions (Matsue Castle; the Lake Shinji sunset spot) are slightly more compelling to me than those on offer in Izumo.
(And day trip to the other)
Which is not to say that many of the best things to do in Shimane aren’t in Izumo. Izumo Shrine alone, one of the most important sacred sites in Japan, justifies the journey for most people; picturesque Inasa Beach (which boasts its own rock-top torii) adds another notable accent to the cityscape.
Savor Adachi Museum of Art
Located in Yasugi just east of Matsue, the Adachi Museum of Art might not seem to be a worthy attraction on its own. Certainly, as someone who isn’t much of a museum person myself, I hesitated to include it in my own Shimane itinerary. However, its garden has actually been voted as the best one in Japan for many years running, and I have to say that is a deserved title.
Cool off in Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, on the other hand, is not nearly as often included on lists of what to do in Shimane. This makes sense, given how remote its namesake town is, never mind the less-than-easy logistics of getting there. Still, if you happen to be planning your visit for any warmer time of year, the cool air of the mines alone make them worth visiting.
Don’t forget the Oki Islands
Like the silver mine, the Oki Islands are not a place you can visit casually; they require a ride on a high-speed jetfoil ferry, or even a short flight. Because of this, however, they are quite literally off the beaten path, and are one of the least touristic destinations anywhere in Japan.
How Long Do I Need in Shimane?
Shimane, in spite of being relatively small in population, is relatively large in size. This is especially the case when you remember the lack of Shinkansen services, which makes distances feel greater than they might be elsewhere in Japan. Adding to this the fact that there’s just so much to see here (the five main attractions I’ve listed above are just the beginning), and it’s easy to see that Shimane-ken isn’t a destination you dip in and out of.
At its root, how many days in Shimane you spend depends on your pacing. If you don’t mind traveling quickly (and particularly if, as I mentioned above, you rent a car), then you could theoretically see everything in 2-3 days. By contrast, if you want to take your time exploring or you’re at the mercy of local trains and buses, it’s easy to see the prefecture requiring 3-5 days, or even up a week.
Other FAQ About Your Shimane Itinerary
How do I get from Tokyo to Shimane?
The quickest way to reach Shimane from Tokyo is to fly—either from Tokyo (HND) to Izumo (IZO) on Japan Airlines, or to Yonago (YGJ) on ANA. (Yes, I realize that Yonago is technically in Tottori, but since Matsue doesn’t have an airport, it’s actually the most direct way to the city!). You can also ride a Shinkansen to Okayama, and a Yakumo Limited Express train from there to Matsue or Izumo.
Which is better, Matsue or Izumo?
Izumo is an interesting and spiritual city, but I personally find Matsue to be a better base. The main part of the town is much closer to the train station, which makes exploring the rest of Shimane prefecture much easier. Additionally, Matsue feels much larger (and is without a doubt equipped with more creature comforts) than Izumo.
Is Shimane worth visiting?
Shimane is one of Japan’s most underrated prefectures, and is without a doubt worth visiting. Even if you only came for a couple of nights, and ticked off top-of-ticket attractions like Matsue Castle, Izumo Shrine and the Adachi Museum of Art, Shimane-ken would surprise and delight you.
The Bottom Line
I hope my Shimane travel guide has proven helpful. Some of you navigated here to establish a baseline—is Shimane-ken even someplace that I should consider visiting on my trip to Japan? In other instances, you were looking for something closer to a comprehensive Shimane itinerary, whether that meant a couple of nights in Matsue or Izumo (and day trips from wherever you chose to base yourself), or an expedition to the wild Oki Islands. Need personalized help figuring out whether (and, if it does, where) Shimane might fit into the bigger picture of your Japan trip? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
