---
name: "Matsue Castle"
lat: 35.47311
lng: 133.05062
official_url: "https://www.matsue-castle.jp/"
fee: "Going up the keep costs ¥1,200 for adults; primary and junior high school pupils go free. Groups of 30 or more pay ¥960. Holders of a disability or rehabilitation certificate and one carer go free. The prices changed on 1 July 2026, when the children's rate became free, to help fund the major repair of the keep. The Honmaru grounds themselves are free to enter. A three-site web ticket covering the castle, the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and the samurai residence is ¥1,760 for adults and ¥400 for children; a two-site ticket is ¥1,520 with children free. Both are valid for ten days including the day of purchase."
last_verified: "2026-08-15"
---

# Matsue Castle

Twelve Edo-period castle keeps still stand in Japan, and five of them, including this one, are National Treasures. From the Otemon gate the ground rises through Ninomaru to Honmaru, where the keep stands at the top. Inside, the stairs are steep, and there is no lift and no toilet. The stamp for the 100 Famous Castles rally sits by the reception counter, and on Saturdays a guide in samurai costume leads set tours. After dark the keep is lit up.

- Area: shimane
- Type: sightseeing
- Average stay: 50 min
- Hours: Two sets of hours. The keep is open 8:30-18:00 from 1 April to 30 September (last admission 17:30) and 8:30-17:00 from 1 October to 31 March (last admission 16:30), every day of the year, though events can change the times. The Honmaru gates, free to enter, open 8:00-18:30 from April to September and 8:00-17:30 from October to March. The keep is lit up 18:00-22:00 from April to September and 17:00-22:00 from October to March.
- Last verified: 2026-08-15

## Family facts (value + conditions + source + verified date)

| Feature | Value | Conditions | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing space | Yes | A small room at the Buratto Matsue tourist information office, in the lower level of Ninomaru — ask a member of staff. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/faq/index) |
| Diaper changing table | Yes | A baby bed in the toilets near the Ninomon gate, on the upper level of Ninomaru. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/faq/index) |
| Family restroom | Yes (4) | Wheelchair-accessible toilets at four places in the grounds: beside the tourist information office, near the Ninomon gate on the upper level of Ninomaru, at Koun-kaku, and at the Karamete gate. There are none inside the keep. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/faq/index) |
| Elevator | No | There is no lift and no toilet inside the keep — it is an Edo-period building, one of only twelve left in Japan. The stairs inside are steep. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/faq/index) |
| Steps & slope caution | Many steps | Wheelchairs can reach the upper level of Ninomaru by a gravel detour, which is unpaved and shakes a lot; from there to Honmaru it is stairs, so pushing yourself up is hard and a companion is needed. Wheelchair viewing inside the keep is not possible. Two wheelchairs are lent at the Buratto Matsue tourist information office and one at Koun-kaku, and can be reserved. Shoes come off at the keep entrance and go into a shoe bag. Carriers on casters and large carriers are refused inside the keep to protect the building. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/faq/index) |
| Indoor / outdoor | Indoor & outdoor | The grounds are outdoors and free to walk; the keep is the indoor part you pay for. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/userguide/index) |
| Best-fit ages (guide) | Yes | Primary and junior high school pupils go up the keep free since 1 July 2026. The stamp for the 100 Famous Castles rally sits to the left of the reception counter inside the keep, and on Saturdays guides in samurai costume lead set courses at 10:00 and 13:30. The keep itself has steep stairs, no lift and no toilet, and shoes come off at the entrance. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/faq/index) |
| Stroller access notes | Yes | The Lakeline bus stops at Kokuho Matsue-jo (Otemae). From the Kencho-mae or Kenmin Kaikan-mae stops near Otemae it is 10 minutes to Matsue Station. The main car parks are Otemae and Shiroyama-nishi, both paid; the prefectural office car park opens free at weekends and on public holidays. Coin lockers are in front of the toilets behind the tourist information office, which also holds luggage for a fee. Moat cruise boarding points are beside the Otemae car park, behind the beer hall and at Karakoro Square. Except for guide dogs, pets must be inside a fully closed carrier to enter the keep. | 2026-08-15 (web) | [source](https://www.matsue-castle.jp/faq/index) |
| Stroller friendly | Not checked yet |  |  |  |
| Diaper disposal bin | Not checked yet |  |  |  |
| Kids' toilet seat & step stool | Not checked yet |  |  |  |
| English support | Not checked yet |  |  |  |
| Outside food allowed | Not checked yet |  |  |  |