Matsue – Where to Stay

URBAN HOTEL/NEW URBAN HOTEL

The Urban Hotel Group has two hotels in Matsue, one by the station and one by Lake Shinji.

Both hotels have two buildings of guest rooms. Urban Hotel is conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the North exit of Matsue Station. There is a restaurant and a breakfast buffet in the hotel, and many other places to eat and drink in the area.

New Urban Hotel is located on the northern shore of Lake Shinji, just near the Shinjiko Ohashi bridge. Their restaurant, which has a popular lunch buffet,  is located on an upper floor and has superb views across the lake. There is also a hot spring bath with lake views on the 3rd floor of one of the buildings, and a convenience store on the first floor of the other. It is within walking distance of Matsue’s main sightseeing spots, including Matsue Castle, the samurai houses and Lafcadio Hearn’s former residence.

Their informative English homepages are as follows:

http://new.matsue-urban.co.jp/en/

http://station.matsue-urban.co.jp/en/

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MINAMIKAN

Minamikan is one of Matsue’s oldest (1888) and most famous ryokans (Japanese inn), and their restaurant serves a variety of sets including the traditional Japanese full course Kaiseki. (See Matsue North Restaurants page). The ryokan overlooks the Ohashigawa River and Lake Shinji, and has a nice pine and white sand garden .

Getting There: Take the Lakeline Bus from stop no.7 at Matsue Station and get off at Karakoro-kobo. From there cross cross the river and enter Kyomise  – a cobbled area of restaurants and shops, turn left at the T-junction and it is set back on the right. (It overlooks Lake Shinji and the large Ohashigawa River.)

Take a look at thier homepage here

http://www.minami-g.co.jp/minamikan/toki/index.html

and for reservations in English –

http://www.japanican.com/hotels/shisetsudetail.aspx?st=7322004

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TERAZU-YA

This small ryokan opposite Shirakata Tenmangu Shrine is quite popular with overseas visitors.

See their English website for further details and reservations!

http://www.mable.ne.jp/~terazuya/english/index.html

Getting There: Turn left out of the north exit of Matsue Station and follow the railway tracks until you come to a roundabout with the shrine opposite. Terazu-ya is to the left of the shrine next to the river.

 

OHASHIKAN (Ryokan)

English: Ohashikan is run by James, a native speaker of English so you will have no language problems here!

Built in 1879, Ohashikan is the oldest ryokan (Japanese style inn) in Matsue, and is famous as being the first place where Lafacido Hearn stayed when he arrived in Matsue. It is on the north side of the Ohashi Bridge overlooking the river.

Ohashikan has an extensive English website and you can reserve rooms online.

Here is the link!

http://www.ohashikan.jp/english.html

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HOTEL ICHIBATA

Hotel Ichibata is located in the Lake Shinji Hot Spring area on the lake’s northern shore. The more expensive rooms have views of the lake. There are also indoor and outdoor hot springs.

There is a little English information on the home page (take a look here)

Single rooms start at around 9,000 yen. (Reserve a room from the Tourist Information Office).

http://www.ichibata.co.jp/hotel/stay/english.html

Take the Lakeline bus from stop no. 7 at the station to Chidori Minami Koen Park.

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TOYOKO INN MATSUE EKIMAE

A low priced chain hotel a few minutes walk from the North Exit of the station. Get on to the main road in front of you when you exit the station and head left. It’s on the right.

You can reserve a room in a variety of languages here

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00098/

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MATSUE TOKYU INN

A chain hotel in front of the station (North Exit), Here is their detailed English page where you can make reservations.

http://www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com/en/TI/TI_MATUE/index.html

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ICHIBATA COTTAGE TEMPLE LODGING

The cottages are located in the grounds of the mountian temple Ichibata Yakushi, which can be reached by Ichibata train (to Ichibata guchi) and then bus/taxi.

It is outside Matsue, but is the perfect place to relax and enjoy views across the lake and mountains. They have an English homepage and are very welcoming to tourists from overseas.

www.ichibata.org/cottage