HIROSHIMA ⇄ SHIMANE

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Matsue
Izumo
Matsue
Izumo

Quieter Japan,
just 3 hours by bus
from Hiroshima

Ride direct to Izumo,
home of Japan's myths, and Matsue,
the City of Water.
No transfers, no hassle.
Just sit back and
watch the countryside go by.

View Model Routes
Book an Express Bus

Hirosima → Matsue
3 hours

Hirosima → Izumo
3 hours 20 minutes

From Hiroshima to another side of Japan

  • Mythology

    Izumo Taisha,
    the setting of Japan's myths    

  • History

    Castle town and samurai residences

  • Hot Springs

    Relax and unwind in hot springs

  • Local Food

    A rich food culture

Learn More About Shimane

MATSUE or IZUMO

MATSUE

MATSUEThe City of Water and a historic castle town

Enjoy Matsue Castle (a National Treasure), Lake Shinji, and hot springs

Discover Matsue

IZUMO

IZUMOA town of myths and meaningful connections

Visit Izumo Taisha and places linked to Japan's myths

Discover Izumo

MODEL ROUTES Recommended Day-Trip Model Routes

01

Izumo Taisha & Local Food: The Land of Myths

Head to Izumo, the land of Japan's myths!
Enjoy Izumo Taisha and local specialties

  • Shrines

  • Food / Food Walk

02

Matsue Castle & Lake Shinji

Explore Matsue, the City of Water

  • Castle / History

  • Lake Shinji

  • Art Museum

03

Vogel Park & Hot Springs

A trip of flowers, birds, and hot springs

  • Flowers & Birds

  • Hot Springs

  • Train Ride

  • Japanese Sweets

04

Explore Izumo Taisha and Momen-Kaido Street!

Enjoy history and nostalgic old streetscapes

  • Shrines

  • Retro buildings

  • Japanese gardens

  • Japanese Sweets

STAY ONE NIGHT
IN SHIMANE Why not stay one more night and enjoy Shimane at a slower pace?

Matsue Area

Enjoy views of the castle town and the lake

Matsue Area

Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Area

A relaxing stay at lakeside hot springs

Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Area

Izumo Area

Stay in a region rich in history and tradition, known as the home of Japan's myths

Izumo Area

Find a Place to Stay

PLACES TO VISIT

Top Spots in Matsue

Matsue Vogel Park

Matsue Vogel Park

Yuushien Garden

Yuushien Garden

Horikawa Pleasure Boat

Horikawa Pleasure Boat

Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle

Matsue Shinjiko Onsen

Matsue Shinjiko Onsen

See All Spots in Matsue

Top Spots in Izumo

Inasa Beach

Inasa Beach

Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse

Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse

Susa Shrine

Susa Shrine

Momen-Kaido Street

Momen-Kaido Street

Hinomisaki Shrine

Hinomisaki Shrine

See All Spots in Izumo

TASTE SHIMANE

Izumo Soba

Izumo Soba

Nodoguro (Blackthroat Seaperch)

Nodoguro (Blackthroat Seaperch)

Lake Shinji Shijimi Clams

Lake Shinji Shijimi Clams

Matsue Tea & Japanese Sweets

Matsue Tea & Japanese Sweets

Izumo Zenzai (Sweet Red Bean Soup)

Izumo Zenzai (Sweet Red Bean Soup)

See All Local Food

ACCESS FROM HIROSHIMA

Hiroshima → Matsue Route

Hiroshima Bus Center → Matsue Station

Approx.
3 hours

  • Travel time: Approx. 3 hours
  • Fare: ¥3,400-¥4,800(adult, one way)
  • 11 departures daily (12 on weekends and public holidays)
  • Restroom
Book Now

※Japan Bus Lines website

Book Now

Hiroshima → Izumo Route

Hiroshima Bus Center → Izumo-shi Station

Approx.
3 hours 20 minutes

  • Travel time: Approx. 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Fare: ¥4,000-¥4,400(adult, one way)
  • 14 departures daily
  • Restroom
Book Now

※Japan Bus Lines website

Book Now

① Looking for Love? Japan Has a Shrine for That.

Head to Izumo, the land of Japan's myths!
Enjoy Izumo Taisha and local specialties

From 7:15 | Depart Hiroshima Bus Center for Izumo

  • 7:15 Depart Hiroshima Bus Center (express bus)
  • 10:22 Arrive at Izumo-shi Station
From 11:00 | Taste Warigo Soba, an Izumo specialty

From 11:00 | Taste Warigo Soba, an Izumo specialty

  • 11:00 Depart Izumo-shi Station (local bus: Taisha Line via AEON MALL / Takamatsu)
  • 11:22 Arrive at Dentetsu Taisha Station
  • Lunch on Warigo Soba, Izumo's signature buckwheat noodles served in stacked round bowls
From 13:00 | Visit Izumo Taisha, a sacred place for finding love and good connections

From 13:00 | Visit Izumo Taisha, a sacred place for finding love and good connections

  • Learn about the history of Izumo Taisha and its tradition of matchmaking blessings
  • Explore the main highlights of the shrine grounds
  • Enjoy street food along Shinmon-dori Street
  • Take a short walk to the Former Taisha Station

From 15:20 | Head to Izumo-shi Station

  • 15:20 Depart Izumo Taisha-mae Station (Ichibata Railway, bound for Matsue Shinjiko Onsen)
  • 15:51 Arrive at Izumo-shi Station

From 16:00 | Return to Izumo Station and take the 17:00 express bus to Hiroshima

  • 17:00 Board the Matsue–Hiroshima express bus at Matsue Station for Hiroshima
  • 20:19 Arrive at Hiroshima Bus Center

② A 400-Year-Old Castle Still Standing in Japan?

From Matsue Castle, a National Treasure, to Lake Shinji!
Explore Matsue, the City of Water

From 7:25 | Take the express bus from Hiroshima to Matsue

  • 7:25 Depart Hiroshima Bus Center
  • 10:23 Arrive at Matsue Station
From 10:35 | Enjoy Matsue, the City of Water, with Matsue Castle and a Horikawa moat boat tour

From 10:35 | Enjoy Matsue, the City of Water, with Matsue Castle and a Horikawa moat boat tour

  • 10:35 Take local bus No. 96 (Hokki Loop, counterclockwise) from Matsue Station to Matsue Castle
  • 10:42 Arrive at Kokuho Matsuejo Kenchomae bus stop
    Introduction to the history and features of Matsue Castle
  • Board the Gurutto Matsue Horikawa Meguri pleasure boat (approx. 50 minutes per loop)
  • For lunch, try Tai-meshi (sea bream rice), a Matsue specialty, at Teien Saryo Minami
From 14:00 | View Lake Shinji from the Shimane Art Museum

From 14:00 | View Lake Shinji from the Shimane Art Museum

  • Walk about 16 minutes from Teien Saryo Minami to the Shimane Art Museum
  • Introduction to the Shimane Art Museum
  • You can also watch the sun set over Lake Shinji from inside the museum
    *Depending on the season, sunset may be after 19:00, so you may not be able to see the sunset on this route
  • The museum holds a collection of about 3,000 ukiyo-e prints
    *Admission is charged for the collection galleries

From 17:30 | Return to Matsue Station and take the 19:00 express bus to Hiroshima

  • 17:40 Take the Lake Line bus (regular route, bound for Matsue Station) from the Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae stop
  • 17:48 Arrive at Matsue Station
  • 19:00 Board the Matsue–Hiroshima express bus at Matsue Station for Hiroshima
  • 22:04 Arrive at Hiroshima Bus Center

③ Birds, Flowers, and a Japanese Onsen—all in One Day?

From a paradise of flowers and birds to a hot spring town!
A uniquely Japanese experience in Matsue

From 7:25 | From Hiroshima Bus Center to Matsue

  • 7:25 Depart Hiroshima Bus Center (Hiroshima–Matsue express bus)
  • 10:23 Arrive at Matsue Station
  • 10:40 Depart Matsue Station (bus No. 31, bound for Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station)
  • 10:57 Arrive at Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station
From 11:00 | Take the Ichibata Railway to Matsue Vogel Park

From 11:00 | Take the Ichibata Railway to Matsue Vogel Park

  • 11:26 Depart Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station
  • 11:43 Arrive at Matsue Vogel Park Station
  • Walk from the station to Matsue Vogel Park
  • Explore the park, themed around flowers and birds
  • Have lunch inside the park
  • Plan to spend about 2 to 3 hours
  • Matsue Vogel Park is currently open from 9:00 to 17:00

Around 15:00 | Take the Ichibata Railway to Matsue Shinjiko Onsen

  • 15:10 Depart Matsue Vogel Park Station
  • 15:26 Arrive at Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station
  • Vogel Park and the hot springs are both on the Ichibata Railway Kita-Matsue Line, so it is easy to get around by public transportation alone
Around 15:30 | Unwind at Matsue Shinjiko Onsen, or treat yourself to Japanese sweets!

Around 15:30 | Unwind at Matsue Shinjiko Onsen, or treat yourself to Japanese sweets!

  • Stroll around the hot spring town and sample Japanese sweets
  • Take a bath at a facility that welcomes day visitors

Around 18:00 | Head to Matsue Station

  • 17:36 Depart Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station (bus No. 31, bound for Yakumo Shako)
  • 18:05 Arrive at Matsue Station
  • Shop for souvenirs and have dinner around Matsue Station

From 19:00 | Take the express bus to Hiroshima

  • 19:00 Depart Matsue Station (Matsue–Hiroshima express bus)
  • 22:04 Arrive at Hiroshima Bus Center

④ Step Back in Time on Cotton Road and Beyond

Explore Izumo Taisha and Momen-Kaido Street!
Enjoy history and nostalgic old streetscapes

From 7:15 | From Hiroshima Bus Center to Izumo

  • 7:15 Depart Hiroshima Bus Center (Mikoto express bus)
  • 10:22 Arrive at Izumo-shi Station
  • 10:46 Depart Dentetsu Izumo-shi Station (Ichibata Railway, bound for Matsue Shinjiko Onsen)
  • 11:00 Arrive at Unshu-Hirata Station
  • Walk about 10 minutes to Momen-Kaido Street
From 11:15 | Stroll along Momen-Kaido Street and its nostalgic old townscape

From 11:15 | Stroll along Momen-Kaido Street and its nostalgic old townscape

  • Mochida Shoyu (soy sauce shop): Take a break with mitarashi dango or soy sauce soft-serve ice cream
  • Sake Mochida Honten (Registered Tangible Cultural Property): Admire the retro exterior and check out local Izumo sake
  • Hon-Ishibashi Residence (Registered Tangible Cultural Property): See the inner tatami rooms and Japanese garden
  • Leave Momen-Kaido Street around 12:30 and return to Unshu-Hirata Station

From 12:44 | Take the Ichibata Railway to the Izumo Taisha area

  • 12:44 Depart Unshu-Hirata Station (Ichibata Railway, bound for Dentetsu Izumo-shi)
  • 12:53 Arrive at Kawato Station and transfer to the train bound for Izumo Taisha-mae on the opposite side of the platform
  • 12:55 Depart Kawato Station (Ichibata Railway, bound for Izumo Taisha-mae)
  • 13:06 Arrive at Izumo Taisha-mae Station
From 13:10 | Visit Izumo Taisha and explore the surrounding area

From 13:10 | Visit Izumo Taisha and explore the surrounding area

  • Izumo Taisha (approx. 60 min): Pray for good connections using the shrine's special etiquette of two bows, four claps, and one bow
  • Shinmon-dori Street (approx. 30 min): Enjoy Izumo soba and zenzai (sweet red bean soup) and look for souvenirs
  • Former Taisha Station (approx. 20 min): Visit this Important Cultural Property full of Taisho-era romance
  • It is about a 15-minute walk from the Former Taisha Station to Izumo Taisha-mae Station. Start walking to the station around 15:00

From 15:20 | Return to Izumo-shi Station

  • 15:20 Depart Izumo Taisha-mae Station (Ichibata Railway, bound for Matsue Shinjiko Onsen)
  • 15:31 Arrive at Kawato Station and transfer to the train bound for Dentetsu Izumo-shi on the opposite side of the platform
  • 15:42 Depart Kawato Station (Ichibata Railway, bound for Dentetsu Izumo-shi)
  • 15:51 Arrive at Dentetsu Izumo-shi Station

From 16:00 | Explore around Izumo-shi Station and head home

  • 16:00–16:50 Stroll and shop around Izumo-shi Station
  • 17:00 Depart Izumo-shi Station (Mikoto express bus bound for Hiroshima)
  • 20:19 Arrive at Hiroshima Bus Center