Matsue: Horikawa Pleasure Boat Cruise & National Treasure Matsue Castle - City of Water Cruise

This full-day course lets you explore Matsue, the City of Water, by boat. The star attraction is the "Matsue Horikawa Meguri" (ぐるっと松江堀川めぐり)—a complete circuit of the moat surrounding the National Treasure Matsue Castle. As your boat approaches low bridges, the roof lowers automatically, and passengers must crouch together to pass through—a unique bridge-ducking experience that thrills transportation enthusiasts. After disembarking, climb the castle's national treasure tower to take in sweeping views of Lake Shinji and the castle town below, enjoy Izumo soba lunch along the pine-lined Shiomi Nawate, and stroll through the samurai residence district. In the afternoon, explore the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum to immerse yourself in the world of "Tales of the Strange" and literature, before finishing at a samurai residence where you can observe how Edo-period warriors lived. This is the definitive castle-town cruise—compact enough to complete by boat and on foot alone, yet full of charm.