Lake Shinji, which spans across Matsue City and Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture, is the seventh largest lake in Japan. Lake Shinji is famous for its shijimi clams, but it is also renowned as a breathtaking spot where the sunset is beautiful.
In particular, the sunset as viewed from the Shimane Art Museum has been selected as one of Japan’s “100 Best Sunsets” by the NPO Japan Archipelago Sunset and Sunrise Community Development Association.
Lake Shinji is very expansive, allowing you to view the sunset from various angles. In this article, we introduce the sunset spots around Lake Shinji and provide information on how to access Lake Shinji. And this time, we have also picked hotels and ryokan that are ideal for watching the sunset.
What is Lake Shinji?
Lake Shinji is the seventh largest lake in Japan and is a brackish water lake (a lake where freshwater and seawater mix). Shijimi clams and whitebait have become local specialties of this area.
Around Lake Shinji, there are many spots where the sunset is magnificent, such as the Shimane Art Museum, Kishi Park, Shirakata Park, and the Lake Shinji Bridge.
In addition, around Lake Shinji, there are hot springs such as Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen and Tamatsukuri Onsen, where you can stay while watching the sunset.
Lake Shinji Sunset Spot “Shimane Art Museum” (※Closed until May 2022)
The Shimane Art Museum is an art museum that houses works by Gauguin and Monet. As an art museum, it beautifully incorporates the sunset into its art. And the sunset viewed from its glass wall, which was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Sunsets, is simply breathtaking.
※ As of June 2021, due to extensive renovation work, it is closed until May 2022.
Name: Shimane Art Museum
Address: 1-5 Sodeshi-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Official/Related Website URL: https://www.shimane-art-museum.jp/
※ Closed until May 2022
Lake Shinji Sunset Spots “Kishi Park” and “Shirakata Park”
“Kishi Park” in front of the Shimane Art Museum and “Shirakata Park” to its north are, of course, also stunning sunset spots. At Kishi Park, you can gaze at the ever-changing sunset in a park covered with lawn.
Shirakata Park is a Japanese-style park with a pine grove ambiance. It is a place for the citizens of Matsue to relax, whether walking their dogs or for a casual date with a loved one.
Name: Kishi Park
Address: 4-1 Sodeshi-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Name: Shirakata Park
Address: 233-1 Nadamachi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Lake Shinji Sunset Spot “Sanin Goudou Bank Main Branch Observation Floor”
Due to operating hours, it is available only in winter, but you can view the sunset from the tallest building in the Sanin region. With a height of 75 m, the observation floor on the 14th floor is open to the public.
Name: Sanin Goudou Bank Main Branch Building
Address: 10 Uomachi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Operating Hours: 10:00–18:00 from April to October, 9:30–17:30 from November to March
Lake Shinji Sunset Spot “Torupa”
“Torupa” is a photo spot equipped with a parking lot for cars in their 40s, developed by Matsue City for those who wish to photograph the sunset. It is designed so that the sunset is easy to see. There are step benches installed, allowing you to sit and enjoy the sunset.
Name: Torupa (Lake Shinji Sunset Spot)
Address: 12 Sodeshi-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Lake Shinji Sightseeing Cruise “Hakuchou” Sunset Cruise
If you want to enjoy the sunset in a more dynamic way, the sunset cruise on the Lake Shinji sightseeing boat “Hakuchou” is recommended. During the summer season, it departs from 18:10 to 18:40. The departure time varies by season, so please check the official website.
There are two boarding locations; if you are using a car, the First Ferry Terminal is convenient, and if you are using JR Matsue Station, the North Exit of Izumo is convenient.
Name: Lake Shinji Sightseeing Boat “Hakuchou”
Address: 150-7 Higashi Asahimachi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Official/Related Website URL: http://hakuchougo.jp/
Adult: 1500 yen (Child: 750 yen, Disabled: 1000 yen)
How to Access Lake Shinji
There are several means of transportation to access the beautiful sunset at Lake Shinji: train, airplane, and highway bus. Let’s take a look at each mode of access.
▼ Access by Train
The “Sunrise Izumo,” an overnight train that provides direct access from Tokyo to Matsue Station, Shinji Station, or Izumo City Station, is recommended.
It departs from Tokyo Station at 21:50 and arrives at Matsue Station at 9:31 and Izumo City Station at 9:58 the next morning (as of June 2021).
You can even make a quick weekend trip to the Sanin region after a Friday’s workday.
The image shows a twin private compartment for two people. You can enjoy a calm journey to Izumo Road.
During the daytime, if you use the Sanyo Shinkansen, you will transfer to the limited express “Yakumo” at Okayama Station.
▼ Access by Airplane
The nearest airport to Lake Shinji is Izumo Airport (Izumo Enmusubi Airport). It is connected to Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka (Itami), Nagoya (Komaki), Sendai, and other cities by FDA and JAL.
From Izumo Airport, a connecting bus links to Matsue Station, Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen, and Izumo City.
▼ Highway Bus
If you want to travel as inexpensively as possible, a highway bus is also an option. Skyticket offers highway buses from Busta Shinjuku in Tokyo to Matsue Station, Izumo City Station North Exit, and Izumo Taisha.
◎ Summary of Lake Shinji
If you watch the sunset sinking into Lake Shinji at the end of the day, you will be moved by an indescribable emotion. For someone somewhere on Earth, even an ordinary day is irreplaceable. So, let’s hope that tomorrow will be an even better day than today. Perhaps it is a kind of luxury to indulge in such contemplative thoughts while watching the sinking sunset.
Be sure to experience the best sunset at Lake Shinji.