The two-site and three-site passes do not simply add one more attraction to the same bundle. Decide whether you want the History Museum basic exhibition or the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and Samurai Residence.
Photo: KishujiRapid / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons 1280px derivative; no retouch; display may crop
Who this guide is for: Travellers choosing which Matsue Castle area facilities to visit
Choose castle-only admission for the keep; compare the pair for the History Museum basic exhibition. The web-only three-site pass does not include History Museum admission.
Compare at a glance
| Option | Best fit | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Keep only · ¥1,200 | Keep interiors | October–March entry ends 16:30 |
| Two-site · ¥1,520 | Keep + History Museum basic exhibition | Ten-day validity; museum closure days |
| Three-site web · ¥1,760 | Keep + Hearn Memorial + Samurai Residence | Web only; History Museum admission excluded |
Use the revised admission price
Following the 1 July 2026 revision, individual adult keep admission is ¥1,200. Elementary and junior-high pupils enter free. Paid keep admission is separate from free Honmaru access; check discount eligibility and proof before paying.
The two-site pass includes the History Museum
The ¥1,520 adult pair covers the keep and Matsue History Museum basic exhibition; elementary and junior-high pupils are free. The museum confirms sales at both facility counters. For an ordinary nonresident adult, separate admission is ¥1,200 + ¥700 = ¥1,900. Compare this only when you will visit both. Do not assume all temporary exhibitions are included.
The three-site bundle covers different places
The official homepage lists the keep, Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and Samurai Residence for the web-only three-site pass: adults ¥1,760, elementary/junior-high pupils ¥400. Participating facility counters do not sell it. The History Museum appears as a discount benefit, not included admission. Hearn’s former residence is also distinct from the memorial museum.
Fit separate closures into ten-day validity
The castle fee page gives both combined passes ten days including the purchase date. The History Museum opens 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30, and closes Mondays (next weekday after a public holiday) and 29 December–1 January;2 November 2026 is a stated exception. The castle advertises year-round opening, subject to event changes. Check electronic-ticket cancellation, refund and usage terms on the purchase screen; ten-day validity does not promise unlimited repeat entry.
Allow for shoes, stairs and the cutoff
In October–March the keep opens 08:30–17:00, reception ends 16:30. Free Honmaru access runs 08:00–17:30 separately. Remove shoes and carry them in a shoe bag on entering the keep. There is no lift or toilet inside, stairs are steep, and wheelchair viewing inside is unavailable. The official 40–50-minute estimate is for the Otemae-to-keep round trip, not a multi-museum itinerary.
Separate planned repairs from current restrictions
The operator schedules major repairs for June 2027–December 2030; that is not evidence of a complete keep closure in 2026. Separate notices cover partial park restrictions after the 2026 earthquake and heavy snow, including the north gate–Mizunote gate area. The Tsubakidani restriction is reported lifted. Consult the current restriction map rather than assuming every path is closed.
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Before you book
- Exact included facilities
- School-age fares and proof
- Ten-day window and separate closures
- 16:30 cutoff, shoes and stairs
- Repair plans and current path restrictions
Common questions
Does the three-site pass include the History Museum?
The official bundle lists the keep, Hearn Memorial Museum and Samurai Residence. A History Museum discount is different from included entry.
Does the photograph show current access?
It shows the keep exterior on 17 June 2023, not the 2026 restrictions or current ticketing arrangements.
Sources and booking conditions
- www.matsue-castle.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.matsue-castle.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.matsue-castle.jp — operator, destination or property information
- matsu-reki.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.matsue-castle.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.matsue-castle.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.matsue-castle.jp — operator, destination or property information
English edition published 2026-10-15. Source review date inherited from the original guide: 2026-10-15. Editorial recommendations are not firsthand reviews or live quotes. Check current prices, availability and conditions before purchase.