A Tapestry of Gold and Light: The Evening Transformation of Yuushien

🍁A Tapestry of Light: Wandering Yuushien’s Illuminated Fall Foliage #japantravel #eveningvibes (YouTube link)

Yuushien (由志園) welcomes visitors with the quiet elegance of a traditional water‑themed stroll garden, its centerpiece a broad, mirror‑still pond framed by landscapes inspired by the natural beauty of the Izumo region. While the garden is celebrated for its spectacular spring Peony Festival—when tens of thousands of blossoms drift across the water—its dedicated greenhouse ensures that peonies can be enjoyed in bloom throughout the year.

From November to January, Yuushien takes on a different kind of magic with its evening illumination. A free shuttle connects Matsue Station to the garden during this season, operating on weekend and holiday evenings. Travelers are encouraged to check the latest schedule at the station’s information center before setting out.

A Front-Row Seat to the Unkai 雲海: Yuushien’s Evening Magic (YouTube link)

Photo Gallery

On November 9, 2025, we stepped into Yuushien just as its autumn illumination began to glow. The garden’s winding paths led us past waterfalls, stone bridges, Zen Garden (or Karesansui 枯山水), and quiet streams, each corner revealing a new pocket of calm in the fading light. The images that follow capture those gentle moments suspended in the evening.

Enchanting Zen Garden Aglow in Red

Autumn Colors Reflected in a Mirror‑Still Pond

How to Access

Here is the 2025–2026 free shuttle bus service between Matsue Station and Yuushien. It’s best to confirm the latest schedule and the boarding location (at the corner of the Matsue Universal Hotel main building) at the information center outside Matsue Station before you go.

Service Overview

• Route: Matsue Station ↔ Yuushien
• Operating Status: Nighttime service only during light-up and illumination event periods.
• Note: Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted, and you may not be able to board if the bus is full.

Service Dates

The shuttle operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays during the following periods:

• 2025 Period: November 8 (Sat) – December 26 (Fri)
• 2026 Period: January 2 (Fri) – January 12 (Mon/Holiday)
• Special Weekday Service Dates: December 24, 25, 26, and January 2.

Specific Operating Days (Highlighted in Image)

• November 2025: 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30
• December 2025: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26
• January 2026: 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12