Matsue is renowned for its famous sightseeing spots, including Matsue Castle, Samurai Houses, and Horikawa Pleasure Boats. Yet, the city’s true charm lies in its residents’ daily lives.
Sezaki, a typical small fishing hamlet on the Shimane Peninsula, captivates visitors with its breathtaking scenery. Every summer, the writer finds himself drawn to this picturesque village. The serene landscape sometimes creates the illusion of being on the Mediterranean coast, while the traditional Japanese houses evoke nostalgic memories of Japan’s past.
Few residents realize the hidden allure of Sezaki, making it a well-kept secret.
The writer highly recommends driving along the Shimane Peninsula, known locally as ura, especially during the summer months, to appreciate its stunning coastlines fully.
How to get to Sezaki
Route 1: Flying and renting a car
By plane:
Fly from Haneda Airport to Izumo-Enmochi Airport.
Flight time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
From Izumo-Enmochi Airport by rental car.
Rent a car at the airport and drive to Sezaki.
The journey from Izumo-Enmatsu Airport to Shimane-cho Sezaki takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (60 km).
Route 2: By Shinkansen and limited express trains, bus or taxi
By Shinkansen
From Tokyo Station to Okayama Station by Shinkansen.
Take the Nozomi or Hikari trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, which take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
From Okayama Station to Matsue Station by limited express Yakumo: take the limited express Yakumo.
Change to the Yakumo limited express train, which takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.
From Matsue Station to Shimane Town, Sezaki: Travel by bus or taxi from Matsue Station.
From Matsue Station, take a bus or taxi
By bus: from Matsue Station, take a bus bound for Shimane-cho Sezaki, which takes approximately 1 hour. However, as the number of buses is limited, it is recommended to check the timetable in advance.
By taxi, the journey from Matsue Station to Shimane-cho Sezaki takes approximately 30 minutes.
Recommended route.
The most comfortable and convenient route is Route 1, which involves flying and renting a car. Flying from Tokyo to Izumo Airport is convenient, and renting a car on arrival provides direct access to Shimane-cho Sezaki.
Notes.
Airline reservations: early booking is recommended, especially during peak season.
Rental car reservations: Making car rental reservations at Izumo Airport in advance is also helpful.
Check bus timetables: If you are using a bus, check the timetable in advance and consider taking a taxi if necessary.