Tour around Matsue Horikawa

Overview

Available languages

Korean

Japanese

English

Chinese (China)

50 minutes

Mobile ticket

[One-day boarding pass]

Purchase date is free during business hours and you can get on and off at any of the three piers.

You can see seasonal trees and flowers on the route. Wild birds and fish, insects and boatmen

Not only guide, but also fun to see with the eyes. If you are lucky, rays etc.

海 You can see the sea creatures.

コース It is a varied course where you can also feel the historic townscape of the castle town and the life of the citizens

I have

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

There is a slope. (Contact open space boarding place)

Cannot be combined with other discounts.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

All Fees and Taxes

What To Expect

Matsue Castle Town

A pleasure boat that takes you around the inner and outer moats surrounding Matsue Castle, a national treasure, in a small boat for about 50 minutes. The excavation that was built at the time of Matsue Castle's construction and remains today is rare in Japan, and there is only a pleasure boat that can go around the castle here. There are 17 bridges on the course, some low bridges that can only be passed through by lowering the roof of the ship, and popular attractions where you can experience the famous `` roofing '', from small children to elderly people You can enjoy it.

Admission Included

Options

Tour around Matsue Horikawa

Reviews

4.52

21 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

So Much Fun
ITRT,
Feb 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I booked a small group tour with Shannon of Dream Vacations Japan to Matsue, a city of canals located on a peninsula between two lakes. We started our tour with a canal river trip. Actually, it was a trip in the moat that surrounded the Matsue Castle built in 1611. The boat ride was so much fun from beginning to end. Picture in your mind a group of senior citizens crawling on their hands and knees to get into the boat after leaving our shoes at the entranceway. There were no seats. Instead, we sat on either side with our backs against the side of the boat and our legs stretched out in front of us. The boat’s roof protects from sun and rain but it’s important to watch your head. There were a few bridges we went under with some so low that we had to squash down so the canvas top could be lowered so we could pass under the bridge. Toward the end of the trip, the boatman sang a song in Japanese (I think wishing us well). The boat ride was about 50 minutes. Besides a boat full of laughter, we enjoyed some beautiful scenery. A truly memorable experience and highly recommend.
Good except the weather
J3437BI ,
Dec 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It was good to participate in the event with a view that could only be seen by boat. It was just the worst weather and it was cold, and it rained hail. Conversely, Kotatsu was saved. The boatman's explanation is well amused. She sang especially well in a good voice❗️
As a means of transportation within the city
PeterSam55,
May 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Although it was June, it was a humid day and I hesitated to walk around. I bought a ticket for the "Horikawa Meguri" tour, which takes you on a boat tour of the moat under Matsue Castle. There are many boarding points, so it's very convenient. Because the area is covered by the moat, you may have to make a long detour to get from your starting point to your destination. I chose to take the boat as a way to avoid that. Thanks to this, I was able to walk around the city without any stress.
It's okay if it rains
N3706SJ ,
Apr 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
I made a reservation during Golden Week, but it seemed like it would be okay to just show up. (Even with a reservation, there was a 1-hour wait, and I ate the lunch I brought with me while I waited.) On the way, the boat passed under a low bridge that required the roof of the sun and rain protection sheet to be lowered. I had a great time listening to the boatman's lively commentary.
The boatman's talk is informative
yokon634,
Apr 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I was a little tired, so I decided to get on board. The boatman explained about Matsue Castle, the townscape, and its history while we cruised in the sunken kotatsu. We had to duck down four times on the way to the lowest part of the bridge! That was fun too.
Lovely boat tour in Matsue - The City of Water
misslinda53,
Oct 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Thoroughly enjoyed this little cruise around the canals of Matsue which surround the Matsue Castle. Although I do not speak Japanese and couldn’t understand the guide, it was still quite enjoyable. On the tour you will pass under 17 bridges. Some of these are very low, but the boats are build so that the roof collapses so it can pass under the bridge. If you are unable to sit on the floor, or do not want to lean in when the roof collapses, this might not be for you.
Please come on board.
氏家良光,
Sep 20, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a Sunday, but it was raining lightly, so my husband and I had the boat to ourselves. There was no problem as the boat had a roof. When we went under a low bridge, the roof folded up and we had to lie down. It felt like we were on an attraction. It was fun! The boatman was a gentle man, and he showed us his impressive singing voice along the way, and showed us the surrounding scenery. In total, we were able to feel the atmosphere of Matsue in just under an hour. It was all over in a flash, and we were having so much fun that we forgot to take pictures. Thank you very much.
Great boat trip - you can turn up and get tickets on the day
877jacquif,
Sep 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Super little boats buzzing around on the Matsue canals. We joined a boat ride in August 2023 at a cost of 1200 Yen per adult and 600 per child. Most of the other passengers were Japanese and enjoyed the commentary from our fantastic tour guide and skipper. Occasionally, he also played little bits of recorded English commentary for us. It was a shame not to learn more about our skipper’s personal connection to the town and canals, though. He was very funny and made our fellow passengers laugh a lot. At one point, he sang a local song, which we all enjoyed. The canals themselves are beautiful. They are dotted with low bridges. Some are so low that the canopy of the boat has to be lowered, and all passengers must fold themselves close to the floor. An interesting experience! We saw herons, egrets, swallows, millions of dragonflies, and one solitary terrapin.
50 minutes is a little long.
OTOLI,
Jul 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
A 50-minute moat tour with commentary from the boatman. There are some interesting things, but I honestly think that 50 minutes is a bit boring.
Surprisingly fun.
ETflyer,
Jun 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Last time I visited Shimane, I didn't have time and this place was a skip, so I tried. When I asked the next departure time at the ticket office, they said, "Wait. I'll be right out.' I told him my name, and he didn't even wait for me. It was an unlimited one-day ride, but basically everyone was riding the whole course. I took my shoes off and brought them inside. We had practice bowing when we first dived under the bridge, but we actually encountered the spot later in the day. I was a little surprised at the end because it goes through a channel under a narrow bridge. The boatman's commentary was quite enjoyable. Matsue's recommendation. Got it.