1
Izumo Taisha Shrine

Dignified and beautiful. Cherry blossoms viewed in the solemn atmosphere of Izumo Taisha Shrine.

The shrine is famous as a powerful power spot. The shrine grounds, which are also famous for cherry blossoms, are lush with trees and surrounded by a sacred atmosphere. The shrine garden, located next to the approach lined with pine trees past the main gate, "Seidamari no Otorii," is a lush natural setting surrounded by greenery and chirping birds. About 200 Someiyoshino cherry trees are planted along the Sogagawa River, which runs through the shrine garden, and when the cherry trees are in full bloom, the solemn atmosphere is filled with the color of light red. Visitors can enjoy the solemn cherry blossoms in a quiet and tranquil atmosphere.
Before enjoying the cherry blossoms, it is good manners to pay your respects to the main shrine (a national treasure). On the way back to Izumo, it is recommended to enjoy Zenzai or Izumo soba noodles on "Shinmon Street," a 700-m-long approach to the shrine from the Otorii Gate of Seitame.

Flowering season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Type of cherry tree: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)

Izumo Grand Shrine

• 195 Kinezukigashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• 5 min. walk from Izumo Taisha-mae Sta. on the Ichibata Line
• From JR Izumo City Station, take the Ichibata Bus (bound for Izumo Taisha or Himizakizaki) and get off at the "Shomon-mae" stop. There is a direct connection bus from Izumo Airport to Izumo Taisha Shrine (2 buses a day).
• Prayer 6:00-19:00, Amulet Office 6:00-19:00, Treasure House 8:30-16:30
• No holidays
• Free of charge
• 0853-53-3100(8:30-16:30)
• Free of charge
• From 16:30, for security reasons, it is not possible to go north from the Jyukusha.

2
Ichinotani Park

Observatory overlooking the city and abundant playground equipment. Family-friendly hanami spot.

This 16.6-hectare park is located west of the Hii River, which flows through Izumo City. Located on top of a small hill at an elevation of 51 m, the park's observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city and the Kitayama mountain range of the Shimane Peninsula.
In spring, approximately 800 Someiyoshino cherry trees bloom throughout the park, including a plaza with a slide, swings, and other playground equipment, making it one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture. Visitors can lay out leisure sheets under the cherry blossoms and enjoy a picnic lunch or a drink while relaxing. With children's play properties as well as tennis courts, the park can be enjoyed by the whole family all day long after cherry blossom viewing.

Flowering season: Usually from late March to mid-April.
Usually from early to mid-April.
Cherry blossom type: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)

Ichinotani Park

• 2010-1 Imaichi-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• 10 min. walk from Izumo Science Museum Park Town-mae Station on the Ichibata Line.
• 0853-22-9442
• Free of charge

3
Hikawa Park

A cherry blossom and azalea viewing spot where you can enjoy cherry blossoms twice in spring.

Izumo citizens are familiar with this comprehensive park with tennis courts, a multipurpose plaza, a Japanese garden, etc. In spring, approximately 1,000 cherry trees, including Someiyoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees, bloom in this vast 11.3 hectare site. When in full bloom, a pink tunnel appears along the rows of cherry trees leading from the main entrance. It is a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
After the cherry blossom season, from late April to early May, approximately 20,000 azaleas will be in bloom. The view of the azaleas covering the lawn, the small hill on the lawn, and other areas in the park is spectacular. It is a must-see cherry blossom viewing spot to visit twice during the spring season.

Cherry blossoms: Early to mid-April, azaleas: Late April to mid-May
Cherry blossoms: usually early April, azaleas: usually early May
Flower types】Someiyoshino, weeping cherry, Kirishimatsutsuji, etc.

Hikawa Park

• 3864-2 Naoe, Hikawa-cho, Izumo City, Shimane MAP
• Approx. 20 min. walk from JR Naoie Station
• 0853-72-3837
• Free of charge

4
Matsue Jozan Park

Cherry blossoms competing with the national treasure "Matsue Castle" are well worth seeing.

The famous castle is one of the 12 existing castle keepers in Japan and is designated as a national treasure. The 28-meter-high plateau around the castle is open to the public as "Matsue Castle Park. About 200 cherry trees, including someiyoshino, yaezakura, and shidare-zakura, are planted in the park, and the park has been selected as one of the "100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.
The "Matsue Castle Castle Festival," a national treasure, is usually held from late March to mid-April, and in addition to lighting up the cherry blossoms at night, various events such as the Matsue Samurai Parade are also held. Visitors can also enjoy sakura mochi (cherry blossom cakes) from Domyo-ji Temple at hanami teahouses that open mainly during the festival period. Visitors can relax and enjoy the sight of the castle tower and cherry blossoms.

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Someiyoshino, Yaezakura, Shidarezakura (weeping cherry)

Matsue Castle Castle Festival 2025
Schedule: March 26 (Wed) - April 9 (Wed), 2025
Remarks: https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/event_calendar/desc/?event=110629

Matsue Jozan Park

• 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• 17-minute walk from Matsue Shinjiko Hot Spring Station on the Ichibata Line
• From JR Matsue Station, take a bus to Matsue Castle (Ote-mae), a national treasure. 5 min. walk from Matsue Castle (Ote-mae) stop.
• Ascending the mountain: April-September: 8:30-18:00 (last admission at 17:30)
    October - March: 8:30 - 17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  　　8:30-17:00 (last admission at 16:30) until 2025/3/31
  
  Open from April to September: 8:00-18:30
      October - March: 8:00-17:30
  　　8:30-17:00 until 2025/3/31
• No holidays
• Entrance fee: Free
  Entrance fee: Adults 800 yen, Elementary/junior high school students 400 yen
  　　　Admission: Adults 680 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students 290 yen until 3/31/2025
• 0852-21-4030（Shiroyama Park Management Office)
• Charged

5
Tamayu River bank

Gorgeous cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of Tamayu River

Tamatsukuri Hot Spring is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan and a representative of Shimane Prefecture. The bank along the Tamayu River that runs through the city is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Matsue City. When the cherry blossom season arrives, approximately 400 Someiyoshino cherry trees bloom along a 2-km stretch of both banks of the river.
In addition, the cherry blossoms are illuminated with spotlights and paper streamers from sundown, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night. A popular spot for viewing the cherry blossoms is a footbath with hot spring water poured into it along the riverbank. Visitors can soak in the warm water and watch the cherry blossoms illuminated. This is a rare spot where you can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms while feeling the atmosphere of an emotional hot spring town.

Flowering season: Usually from late March to mid-April.
Usually from early to mid-April.
Cherry blossom type: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)

Tamayu River Embankment

• Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• 5 minutes drive from JR Tamatsukuri hot spring station
• Take a bus from JR Tamatsukuri hot spring station and get off at "Himegami Plaza".
• 0852-62-0634（Tamatsukuri Hot Spring Ryokan Cooperative Association)
• Free of charge

6
Yushien

30,000 peonies floating on the pond in the Japanese garden

Daikonjima Island, located in the Nakaumi Sea, a lake in the eastern part of Matsue City, is a sacred place for peonies, producing about 800,000 peony seedlings annually, the largest number in Japan. This is a sightseeing Property where peonies can be exhibited and observed throughout the year.
Of particular note is the "30,000-ring pond peony" event held every year during the G.W. period. About 30,000 peonies float in the pond of the approximately 12,000 tsubo pond garden. The contrast between the elegant Japanese-style garden and the pond filled with red, white, and pink peonies is breathtaking. It is a spectacular sight that must be seen at least once. In addition, on the last day of the event, the "Golden Pond Peony" will be held using a rare yellow species, "Oukan" (yellow crown). The garden glowing yellow is a rare sight that can only be seen on this day.
Visitors can also enjoy sweet treats such as green tea anmitsu (sweet bean paste) while admiring the garden from the park's tea house, "Ippou.

▼30,000-flower pond peony
Schedule: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 - Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Yushien

• 1260-2 Namiiri, Yatsukacho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 16 minutes from JR Sakaiminato Station by car, or approximately 25 minutes from JR Matsue Station by car.
• Take a bus from JR Sakaiminato Station or Matsue Station, get off at "Yushien" and walk shortly.
• 10:00-17:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
  Opening hours may change depending on the season and events. Please check the website for details.
• December 30 and 31
• General admission: 800-1,400 yen, half price for elementary, junior high and high school students
  Prices vary depending on the season, blooming conditions, and special exhibitions. Please check the website for details.
• 0852-76-2255
• Free of charge

7
Hakuta Tulip Field

Rural landscape with approximately 600,000 tulips in bloom

The tulip field in Yasugi City, next to Matsue City, has about 600,000 tulips planted in a 1.5 hectare field. The flowers usually begin to bloom in early April, and the sight of approximately 100 different varieties of red, yellow, pink, orange, and other tulips in full bloom is so impressive that the flowers do not fit in the field of view.
The Hakuta Tulip Fair is usually held in mid-April. On the day of the fair, visitors can purchase their favorite cut tulips, such as "Timeless," a classic single flower with a red and white edge, and "Huis Ten Bosch," a fringed flower (from 70 yen per flower). Other attractions include the sale of local specialties, a flea market, and a photo booth planned jointly by local students and growers.
The day after the fair, the tulips will be harvested to allow the bulbs to store nutrients and bloom beautifully the following year. The day after the fair, the tulip bulbs are harvested to store nutrients for the next year's beautiful blooms.

Flowering time: Usually from early to mid-April.

Hakuta Tulip Fair
Date: Monday, April 7 - Sunday, April 13, 2025

Hakuta Tulip Field

• 580 Higashimozato, Houta-cho, Yasugi-shi, Shimane MAP
• Approx. 20 min. by car from JR Yasugi Stn.
• From JR Yasugi Station or Yonago Station, take a bus. 5 min. walk from Houta Town Hall bus stop.
• 0854-23-3303（Yasugi City Tourist Association, Houta Branch)
• Free of charge