This is a historic walking and boat tour around Matsue Castle, one of the only 12 original castles existing in Japan.
Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of castle town. I'm sure you feel as if you are time traveling to the old days.
A sightseeing boat tour around the castle at any season will give you special moment. I will tell you about the history of Matsue and how people live here cherishing their local heritage.
JR Matsue Station or at your hotel in Matsue
You can go inside the castle. Enjoy the 360 degree view of Matsue City from the top floor.
I will explain the feature of the castle and how it was built with elaborate architectual techique, and how it has survived to be designated as a national treasure.
Enjoy different views of Matuse caslte from a boat. Riding a small boat should be a lot of fun. A friendly boat man or woman will entertain you.
Have lunch near the castle (choose from local food, Japanese food or others)
We vist Samurai Residence, Lafcadio Hearn Memoria Hall & Residence and the tea house, where you experience matcha green tea with a Japanese confectionary made by local artisans.
Our distinctive tea culture is one of the rich inheritances we received from the castle lords. You will be having excellent matcha green tea with original Japanese confectionery at the old tea house designed by a feudal lord of Matsue.
Lafcadio Hearn was a Greece-born journalist, world traveler, great author, and English teacher. He is best known for introducing Japan to the world more than 100 years ago through his excellent works. Matsue is the place he lived for his first year in Japan. He was very inspired by Japanese culture and contributed a lot to what Matsue is today... Let me continue in the tour.
JR Matsue Station or at your hotel in Matsue
guide fee, guide's transportation fee to/from meeting/ending spots
*Transportation fee (you and guide) from JR Matsue Station or your hotel to Matsue Castle
*Entrance fee (you and guide):
Matsue Castle 470 JPY/person,
Samurai Residence 210 JPY/person
Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Hall 280/person
*Cruise fee (you and guide): about 1200 JPY/person
(All of the above is discounted price with a passport)
*Green tea set : about 1000 JPY/person
Please inquire my exact availability.
*You can arrange the schedule according to your interest.
*By customizing your tour, I can arrange a cultural workshop you can participate in. (making Japanese sweets, Japanese calligraphy or others)
I enjoyed two and a half days of customized tours with Ritsuko visiting multiple temples, shrines, caves, rivers coastline and waterfalls around the Izumo and Matsue regions. The days were very well organized and more than fulfilled my wishes to visit sacred places in Shimane. I’m grateful to Ritsuko for her easy and informative companionship and for ensuring a very happy few days stay.
Dear Mark, I'm so happy with your nice review.Thank you so much again for visiting here. You inspired me a lot with profound understanding and respect for different cultures. Each spot was memorable for me too but I will always remember the freshness and coldness of the water you got from the waterfalls. It was a great pleasure to be able to complete the year 2019 with an amazing guest. I hope you keep exploring Japan I'd like to share your views and ideas again. Ritsuko
I was a Lucky man today in Sakaiminato to have found a nice, informative , and flexible guide. Perfect English. I was shown some of the most beautiful sights. A day to remember. Thank you again Ritsuko and the Big boss man. Most highly recommend.
Alan, Thank you so much for the great review. We were so glad to have you in Tottori and Shimane area on a day with nice weather. Each spot has become even more impressive for us by accompanying you. I will remember your kindness and smiles you gave us and other people during the tour. I hope your upcoming journey will be wonderful as well. Ritsuko
We arranged a day tour with Ritsuko from Azamara Quest docked in Sakaimenato. Ritsuko arranged a wonderful trip for us with our own car and driver to the Adachi Museum of Art with its stunning garden. Then we went on to visit the beautiful castle at Matsue, followed a boat ride around the moat. The boat has a roof that comes right down as you go under the low bridges - great fun! We also went to the fascinating Lafcadio Hearn Museum and his home. Lafcadio was the first European to gain real insight into Japan and write about it for the European market. An amazing man! Also fitted in a quick visit to the Samarai House. Had a delicious Japanese lunch too. Ritsuko was a superb guide, who arranged a great day for us. She Is a very knowledgeable, fully qualified guide who speaks excellent English as well as being a pleasure to be with. It was very easy to communicate with her beforehand via Triplelights to arrange exactly the itinerary we wanted - a very packed day! Book a tour with Ritsuko and you should have a great day.
Mary, It was great for me to guide you and your husband in Matsue. I am very glad to know you had a great fun there. I was so happy we arranged the tour together as you like not only on the web, but also on the day. You chose Lafcadio Hearn Museum and his home instead of matcha green tea, that you had already experienced. I was inspired by your deep interest in our culture. Thank you for trying the pleasure boat around the moat of the castle even on the chilly day. It was good they provided us a blanket! Take, the taxi driver, let me know he sent you off at the port without a problem. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity. I was so happy to have such nice and considerate guests like you. Ritsuko