What to know
Lafcadio Hearn, one of the first Western writers to delve into Japanese culture, spent about a year living in Matsue. His former home is now open to visitors, alongside a museum next door dedicated to his life and works.
Born in Greece in 1850 to an Irish father and Greek mother, Hearn lived in several countries before arriving in Japan in 1890. He taught at various schools, married a Japanese woman, and became a naturalized citizen under the name Koizumi Yakumo. He died in Tokyo in 1904.
Hearn is famous for books like "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan" and "Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things," which introduced Japanese folklore to the West.
The residence sits in the samurai district north of Matsue Castle and is accessible via the Lakeline loop bus from Matsue's train stations.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October to March)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 600 yen (~$3.84) (museum only)
- English name
- Hearn Memorial Museum
- Original name
- Lafcadio Hearn’s Residence
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.