Looking for a guesthouse in Matsue that offers more than just a place to sleep? Yohaku blends tradition, coffee, and community in a beautifully renovated Japanese home near Mefu Shrine. In the heart of Matsue, a former barista now running a guesthouse is redefining hospitality. By blending tradition, coffee, and a community spirit, Yohaku isn’t just a place to stay—it’s where cultures meet and memories begin.
What Makes Guesthouse Yohaku Special?
In recent years, small-scale accommodation has surged in popularity across Japan, particularly among Generation Z. Many young people have become proprietors in the wake of the pandemic, which hit the restaurant and hotel sectors hard.
Sensing a shift in the air, Kohei Aoyama returned home with a quiet ambition: transforming a timeworn Japanese house into a haven where tradition, coffee, and community could gently flourish. That vision became Yohaku.
Tucked away in Wadami, a quiet neighbourhood in central Matsue, Yohaku sits just steps from Mefu Shrine. Its restored wooden beams and sliding doors whisper stories of the past. The name ‘Yohaku’ refers to the quiet margin at the edge of a page, where new stories gently take shape.
Stay and Space
The ground floor, painted white like a blank canvas, features a natural wood kitchen and handmade furnishings. Upstairs, two tatami-style rooms overlook the historic rooftops of the castle town. A twin room costs ¥12,000 and can be booked via Booking.com or Airbnb.
Guest Reviews and Cultural Events
Yet Yohaku is far more than a bed for the night—it’s a crossroads of cultures, where art, flavour, and heartfelt conversation weave the fabric of shared experience. Nearly 30% of its visitors come from abroad, drawn by the chance to experience life in a heritage Japanese home while engaging with the spirit of local life in Matsue.
For those travelling from Tokyo, Yohaku is more accessible than you might think. Whether you fly to Izumo, take the scenic Sunrise Izumo sleeper train, or ride the Shinkansen and connect to a limited express, the journey itself becomes part of the story.
Kohei calls Yohaku his chill community base—a promise echoed in the scent of fresh local bread at brunch and the quiet presence of handcrafted art that lines the walls.
He officially opened Yohaku on 1st January 2025 after four years of barista training in Isemiya, a lively district of Matsue. In the café inside the house, he brews each cup of coffee by hand and serves carefully crafted sandwiches.
Camille from France, one of Yohaku’s international guests, reflected on her stay: ‘ Kohei-san was immediately very welcoming and responsive. His presence in the café in the morning brought a sense of calm and comfort to the accommodation. He made us feel at home and was always attentive and considerate.
The accommodation is very comfortable, carefully renovated, and perfectly clean. You can feel the attention the host has put into it.
Kohei-san is very curious about learning about other cultures and meeting new people. Thanks to his recommendations about the area and his company, we had an enjoyable four-day stay.
We were sad to leave and can’t wait to come back! Thank you for everything,’ said Camille from France (translated from French to English).
A graduate in English literature from Shimane University, Kohei began his career as an apprentice at a regional Ichibata Electric Railway before moving into the food and drink sector in Tokyo and Matsue.
‘I became interested in guesthouses as spaces for communication after staying at one in Tokyo,’ he recalls.
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One of Yohaku’s most distinctive features is its deep connection with the local area. It regularly hosts cultural events, such as exhibitions by local artists, book clubs, and bilingual language exchange meet-ups. These gatherings are particularly popular among Kohei’s Japanese and international peers, providing a space where creativity, culture and connection truly thrive.
‘Here I can have fun and improve my English skills,’ said Rico Nishimura, a participant in the language exchange programme.
‘Watching people connect made me want to build a place like that in Matsue. But keeping the dream going still requires some financial fine-tuning, so I’m trying out different ideas to make it sustainable, ’Kohei adds.
(Words by Takashi Saito)
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Morning (Fri–Mon): 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Café Time (Thu–Mon): 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Business Days
Open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays (subject to change).
For the latest updates, please check Instagram.
Parking
No on-site parking. Please use the nearby paid parking lots.
Getting to Matsue from Tokyo
🛫 By Plane + Bus (Fastest: approx. 3.5–4 hours)
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Fly from Haneda Airport (Tokyo) to Izumo Airport (about 2 hours)
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Take a bus from Izumo Airport to JR Matsue Station (approx. 30–40 minutes)
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From Matsue Station, take a local bus to Tenjin-machi (approx. 10 minutes)
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Walk a few minutes to Guesthouse Yohaku
🚆 By Sleeper Train (Scenic & Relaxed: approx. 12 hours)
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Take the Sunrise Izumo sleeper train from Tokyo Station (overnight, approx. 12 hours)
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Arrive at JR Matsue Station
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Take a local bus to Tenjin-machi, then walk to Yohaku
🚄 By Shinkansen + Limited Express (Balanced: approx. 5–6 hours)
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Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama Station (approx. 3.5 hours)
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Transfer to the Limited Express Yakumo to Matsue Station (approx. 2.5 hours)
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Take a local bus to Tenjin-machi, then walk to Yohaku