Yushien Garden

What to know

Located on the tranquil Daikonshima Island in brackish Lake Nakaumi, just east of central Matsue, Yushien Garden (由志園, also romanized as Yuushien) is a sprawling Japanese garden celebrated for its peonies. Established in 1975 as a private garden, the 40,000-square-meter grounds feature classic landscape elements: a central pond, waterfalls, streams, stone lanterns, a rock garden, and a variety of seasonal flowers.

The garden's highlight is its carefully tended collection of 250 peony varieties. Through strategic planting, peonies bloom year-round in both indoor and outdoor displays. Spring is especially spectacular when peony patches burst into color across the grounds, and the annual Peony Festival runs from late April through May. Winter also offers charm, with traditional straw coverings protecting plants from snow.

After strolling the circuit path, visitors can relax at a cafe overlooking the central pond or explore the information center near the entrance. The center features exhibits on Daikonshima Island's history of peony and Korean ginseng cultivation. Locally produced ginseng tea and other products are available for purchase.

Yushien hosts occasional events and evening illuminations several times a year, especially in winter, when tens of thousands of LED lights create dazzling displays across the grounds.

Yushien Garden is about ten kilometers east of central Matsue on Daikonshima Island, connected to the mainland by a bridge. Take Matsue City Bus number 70 from Matsue Station (every 1-2 hours, 50-minute ride). The one-way fare is 700 yen, but a 2-day bus pass for Matsue costs only 1,050 yen and covers the trip. Get off at Yatsukacho Yushien-iriguchi (八束町・由志園入口), then walk five minutes. To return to Matsue, take bus number 10.