Izumo and Matsue driving guide: Izumo Taisha, Hinomisaki and Lake Shinji sunsets

The Izumo and Matsue area lies in eastern Shimane Prefecture. Izumo sits west of Lake Shinji and Matsue to the east, while Yasugi faces Lake Nakaumi. From Hinomisaki at the western tip, the drive descends to Izumo Taisha and runs east on Route 431 along the north shore of Lake Shinji to Matsue Castle and the lake's sunsets. Further east are Adachi Museum of Art and Mihonoseki at the end of the Shimane Peninsula.

This guide follows a day from Hinomisaki via Izumo Taisha to Matsue, with roads and places to stop listed below.

Map of Izumo and Matsue

The line follows the route under "First visit: one day from Hinomisaki via Izumo Taisha to Matsue" below. Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Hinomisaki via Izumo Taisha to Matsue

From Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse and Hinomisaki Shrine, follow Prefectural Route 29 down the coast, pass Inasa Beach and stop at Izumo Taisha and the Museum of Ancient Izumo. From Michi-no-Eki Taisha Goen Hiroba, a roadside station, take Route 431 east along the north shore of Lake Shinji. Pass Michi-no-Eki Aika Nagisa Koen, visit Matsue Castle and watch the sunset at the Lake Shinji sunset spot, Torupa.

The route is about 54 km, with around one hour of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic. The route uses ordinary roads only, with no tolls.

Part of Route 29 to Hinomisaki has alternating one-way traffic. On 15 November, sunset in Matsue is at 17:02.

Izumo Taisha in Kamiarizuki

The 2026 Kamiari Festival runs from the evening of 18 November to the evening of 25 November. Traffic controls apply around Izumo Taisha from 08:00 to 16:00 on 19 and 21–23 November. On 21–23 November, a free shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes between Izumo Cultural Heritage Museum and Michi-no-Eki Taisha Goen Hiroba. On traffic-control days you cannot turn left into the main car park from the Inasa junction direction.

Adachi Museum of Art and Mihonoseki

Adachi Museum of Art is about 10 minutes from Yasugi IC on the San'in Expressway. Parking for 400 ordinary cars is free, and adult admission is ¥2,500.

Mihonoseki is about 40 minutes from Kawatsu IC in Matsue via Route 431 and Prefectural Route 2.

Roads you can drive

During San'in Expressway night closures, detour between Matsue-Tamatsukuri IC and Izumo IC on Route 9 and Prefectural Route 337, about 37 km and 49 minutes.

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

On 15 November, sunset in Matsue is at 17:02.

Busy places and times

• The Izumo Taisha area is very busy on 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23 November. It is also busy on other November days, especially weekends and holidays.
• Otemae car park at Matsue Castle gets crowded, so the city directs drivers to nearby car parks.
• People gather at Torupa to watch the sunset on fine evenings.

Roads and restrictions checked on 2 November 2026

• San'in Expressway Matsue-Tamatsukuri IC–Izumo IC and Matsue Expressway Mitoya-Kisuki IC–Shinji Junction close 20:00–06:00 on weeknights until the morning of 12 November (reserve dates to the morning of 14 November).
• Part of Prefectural Route 29, the Taisha–Hinomisaki Line, has alternating one-way traffic.
• Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse is closed to visitors from 12:00 to 13:00.

Getting there and fuel

Every roadside station has EV charging. Refuel in Izumo or Matsue before heading to the capes at Hinomisaki or Mihonoseki.

In winter, snow can fall in the Chugoku Mountains from mid-November at the earliest. On the Matsue Expressway approach from Hiroshima, cars often get stuck around Yoshida in Unnan, so winter tyres are needed. Driving on snow or ice without anti-slip equipment is against the law.

If you don't have a car

Use the Shimane rental-car listings to find a pickup location. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I drive with one day in Izumo and Matsue?

From Hinomisaki Lighthouse, pass Inasa Beach, stop at Izumo Taisha and head east along the north shore of Lake Shinji to Matsue Castle and the Lake Shinji sunset. The route is about 54 km, with about one hour of driving and no tolls.

How much is parking at Izumo Taisha?

The main car park has 385 spaces and is free. On busy days the second car park (360 spaces) also opens.

When is Kamiarizuki busiest?

In 2026, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23 November are very busy. Traffic controls apply around Izumo Taisha from 08:00 to 16:00 on 19 and 21–23 November.

Is the San'in Expressway free?

Higashi-Izumo IC–Matsue-Tamatsukuri IC (Matsue Road) is free. Yonago-Nishi IC–Higashi-Izumo IC and Matsue-Tamatsukuri IC–Izumo IC are tolled.

Can I drive here in winter?

Izumo and Matsue get relatively little snow on the plains. Snow falls on the Matsue Expressway approach from Hiroshima, so winter tyres are needed.

Nearby areas and guides

• Shimane driving and travel guide