Private Tour
Matsue/Izumo Taisha Shrine Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
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.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Matsue Castle
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!
Izumo Grand Shrine
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.
Options
Matsue/Izumo Taisha Shrine Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bringing its samurai heritage to life!
FarTooFrequentFlyer,
May 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We lucked in and were in town not only at the peak of cherry blossoms, but also for the annual Matsue Musha Gyoretsu Warrior Parade (first Saturday in April, every year), making our visit to Matsue Castle even more rewarding. Our guide, Katsumi Nagata, helped us with arrangements even before we arrived – taking pains to seek out a vegetarian restaurant at our request – and he took great pride in showing us his city and explaining its samurai history. We enjoyed learning about Lafcadio Hearn – the British-Greek-Irish man who introduced Japanese culture and literature to the West. Matsue is well worth the visit, and Katsumi was the right person to show us the city.
Our visit to Matsue-Jo
288burtl,
Nov 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Etsuko, our guide was very professional and very knowledgeable about the places we wished to see. She was also very caring and considerate and did not set too fast s pace. She was also very cheerful and funny. We enjoyed her company while we learned about Matsue-Jo and Lefcadio Hearn and his life and career in Japan starting in Matsue.
Day Trip to Izumo Taisha and other Shrines
Bern Y,
Oct 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Katsumi Nagata did a great job and was very knowledgeable!! thank you He was accommodating to our every interest.
An informative day with Katsui in Matsue
MorganIsSoFluffy,
Sep 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We were taking a weeklong trip to Tour western Japan and ended up spending a day in Matsui. We hired an English-speaking guide to show us around. Katsumi Nagata was a wonderful guide who was knowledgeable, polite, kind, and flexible to our requests. He showed us the grand shrine, took us to a delicious lunch, and the Matsue castle, with some additional sites. In all, it was a lovely day where we learned a lot about Japanese culture, history, folklore, and importantly, the kind and generous nature of Katsumi.
Excellent local guide for English speakers
Tshiehnewton,
Sep 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Katsumi Nagata was a wonderful guide. He was super nice and explained the sites well with good English and gave interesting information and just the right amount. He took us to Izumo Shrine and Matsue Castle and arranged for a delicious lunch where we experienced local dish called Ta i meshi (rice with diced sea bream, egg whites, egg yolks, nori, and dashi broth). It was so good! Katsumi taught history and social science for 40 years and did a short study abroad stint in Illinois, US. We highly recommend Katsumi for your local trip, We will be recommending him to our friends and using him again the next time we are back in the Matsue area.
Great experience with Katsumi in Shimane!
feliceshieh,
Sep 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Katsumi was attentive and knowledgeable. He took us to Izumo Shrine and Matsue Castle. He explained details and nuances. We went to a great restaurant of his choice in Matsue called Fujina Tei. We had a great time that was tailored to our tastes.
Hatsumode ni Zefu
usurin,
Jan 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00I knew it was good. I'm not sure if it's because I'm going to be involved in the year of the zodiac sign this year, especially when I'm involved in various back-to-back marriages. There's a little bit of parking, there's a little bit of traffic, but I think it's worth it because you can visit the main shrine, which you don't normally get in.
Related Experiences
Operated by Japan Guide Agency