Shimane lies on Japan’s Sea of Japan coast, quietly rich in culture and landscape, and still blissfully off the Golden Route. It can feel far on a map, but in practice it is straightforward to reach once you know the main gateways.
As we wrote in Beyond Numbers, the key is choosing the right balance of speed and scenery. Flying from Tokyo Haneda to Izumo takes about 90 minutes. Rail travel via Okayama takes more than six hours. Highway buses from Osaka to Matsue or Izumo take around four to five hours.
Quick picks
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Fastest Fly to Izumo or Yonago, then take an airport shuttle bus to Matsue or Izumo
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Most scenic Travel by rail via Okayama, then take the Limited Express Yakumo into the San’in region
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Most budget-friendly Take a highway bus from Kansai or Hiroshima
Getting to Shimane in three ways
By air
Shimane’s two practical airports are Izumo Enmusubi Airport and Yonago Kitaro Airport. Both connect well to major cities. Yonago also offers international service on certain days and in certain seasons.
Typical flight times
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Tokyo Haneda to Izumo about 1 hour 25 minutes
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Osaka Itami to Izumo about 50 minutes
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Tokyo Haneda to Yonago about 1 hour 20 minutes
From the airport into town
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Izumo Airport to JR Matsue Station about 30 minutes by shuttle bus
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Yonago Airport to JR Matsue Station about 45 minutes by shuttle bus
Timetables and fares change, so treat these as a guide and confirm before you travel.
By rail
For rail travel from eastern Japan and Kansai, the classic route is simple.
Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama, then Limited Express Yakumo to Matsue and Izumo.
Okayama to Matsue typically takes about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the service.
If you want an overnight option, the sleeper Limited Express Sunrise Izumo is often quoted at around 12 hours in total.
By bus
Highway buses can be excellent value, especially from Kansai and Hiroshima.
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Shin-Osaka to Matsue typically around 4 hours 40 minutes
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Hiroshima to Matsue typically about 3 hours 20 minutes
Overnight buses also run from Tokyo, which can work well if you want to sleep your way into the region.
From Tokyo and Osaka
From Tokyo
Fastest and simplest
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Fly Haneda to Izumo
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Take the airport shuttle bus to Matsue or Izumo
This is the cleanest route for a first trip and works well for short stays.
Alternative gateway
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Fly Haneda to Yonago, then take the shuttle bus to Matsue
Most scenic
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Take the Shinkansen to Okayama, then Limited Express Yakumo along the San’in corridor
From Osaka
Fastest
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Fly Itami to Izumo, then take the shuttle bus onward
Most flexible by rail
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Take the Shinkansen to Okayama, then Limited Express Yakumo
Good value
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Take a direct highway bus to Matsue, or a bus that continues on to Izumo
Getting around inside Shimane
Shimane is best enjoyed by combining rail, local buses, and the occasional taxi or rental car.
Good bases
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Matsue for Lake Shinji, the castle-town atmosphere, museums, and day trips
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Izumo for Izumo Taisha and the coastal landscapes of the Izumo plain
A local transport tip that saves time
If your plan focuses on Matsue and Izumo, consider local passes that bundle rail and bus services. The JNTO travel guide highlights the Enmusubi Perfect Ticket, which offers unlimited rides on key local lines and buses for several days, plus additional deals in the area. Matsue also has a visitor-friendly loop bus, often referred to as the Lake Line, for hopping between major sights.
Sample itineraries
1 night, 2 days
Day 1 Matsue
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Arrive and check in
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Castle-town walk, museum, or a canal boat ride
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Sunset by Lake Shinji
Day 2 Izumo
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Morning transfer to Izumo
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Izumo Taisha and the approach streets
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Return to Matsue, or head to the airport
2 nights, 3 days
Day 1 Matsue
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Settle in and enjoy the lake and the evening food scene
Day 2 Izumo
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A full day in Izumo for the shrine, coastline, and craft stops
Day 3 Choose one
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Iwami Ginzan for history and landscape
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Tsuwano for a different townscape and pace
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A slow morning in Matsue, then depart
Practical tips
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Reserve seats for Limited Express services. Some trains use reserved seating by default, so booking ahead can save stress.
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Check the last buses. Rural routes can end earlier than you expect.
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Carry a little cash. Not every local bus accepts cards consistently.
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Plan for winter weather. The Sea of Japan side can bring strong winds and winter conditions, so build in a buffer.
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Use luggage delivery for multi-stop trips. It makes temple towns and coastal days much easier.