Matsue 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.