The Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is the loveliest way to experience Matsue. A small covered boat, poled and steered by a boatman who often sings, makes a slow circuit of the canals and the original moat that still rings Matsue Castle, a route unchanged for four centuries. It passes willow-lined banks, old samurai residences, stone walls and quiet backwaters, and at several points the roof of the boat has to be lowered so it can pass beneath very low historic bridges — passengers duck down with it. In winter the boats are heated with a kotatsu-style table.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Matsue, Shimane |
| Hours | ~9:00–17:00 (seasonal) |
| Admission | ~¥1,600 (hop-on-hop-off day pass) |
| Time needed | About 50 minutes for the loop |
| Best time | Year-round; heated boats in winter |
What to See
- A slow circuit of the original castle moat and canals.
- Ducking under very low historic bridges.
- Willow banks, samurai houses and old stone walls.
- Heated kotatsu boats in winter.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Matsue Castle at the moat’s heart.
- Pair with the Lafcadio Hearn Museum on the route.
- Read our Shimane overview .
Getting There
- Boarding points: several around the castle, including near the Lakeline bus stops.
- Day pass: hop on and off at any of the jetties.
Tips
Buy the hop-on-hop-off day pass, which lets you break the loop to visit the castle and the samurai district and rejoin later at another jetty. Be ready to duck right down when the boatman lowers the roof under the low bridges, which is part of the fun, and in winter take the heated kotatsu boat, which turns a cold day into a cosy one.
