“Matsue Winter Campaign – An Evening of Giant Serpent and Ghost Stories” will be held on December 12 (Fri.) and 13 (Sat.), 2025, at Matsue Castle and Karakoro Art Studio. It will include nighttime entry into Matsue Castle, a National Treasure; nighttime ghost storytelling in the castle tower; and the serving of local sake and San'in foods.
You can enjoy Iwami Kagura performances and a tea ceremony experience at Karakoro Art Studio and Horikawa Sightseeing Boat (winter kotatsu boat) nighttime ghost storytelling in Karakoro Square. They will be special nights when you will be able to enjoy foods and traditional culture unique to the San’in region in winter with all five senses.

Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle is a famous castle that was built by Horio Yoshiharu during the Edo period and never destroyed by fire, so it still retains its original appearance. It is one of the 12 surviving castle towers in Japan and is also called Chidori Castle (Plover Castle). In 2025, it celebrated its 10th anniversary since its designation as a National Treasure. You can enjoy panoramic views of the city of Matsue and Lake Shinji if you climb up to the top floor of the watchtower.

18：00〜20：00

Normally, you can only enter the castle tower of National Treasure Matsue Castle until 17:00 (October–March); however, special nighttime entry will be possible on these two days. Come enjoy the view from the castle tower on a quiet winter night.
*Purchase of a ticket is required. For details, please refer to the information below.

① 18：30〜18：45

② 19：10〜19：25

③ 19：45〜20：00

Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn) was a great literary figure who introduced Japanese folktales and legends to the world, and his ghost stories are known for their unique deep horror and mystery. Come experience the moments of horror and surprise.
*Purchase of a ticket is required. For details, please refer to the information below.

18：00〜20：00

Since ancient times, large drums have been called “do” in the Izumo area. Matsue City holds its Matsue Festival Dogyoretsu drum parade (in which two do are laid on their sides, placed on floats with wheels and a roof, and beat by people as they are paraded around) on the third Sunday of October every year. Visitors can experience the beating of the do drums.
*Free

Reception time:17:00–19:30
(tickets redeemable until 20:00)

[Crab soup, Izumo buckwheat noodles, and zenzai (sweet red bean soup)]
A full array of delicacies unique to the San’in region! Enjoy winter delicacies at warm food stalls and appreciate the food culture of San’in as you are drawn in by the appetizing smells of crab soup, Izumo buckwheat noodles, and other foods.
*Purchase of a ticket is required. For details, please refer to the information below.

Reception time:17:00–19:30
(tickets redeemable until 20:00)

You can enjoy carefully selected local sake from Shimane.
*People under the age of 20 and those who will be driving may not purchase or redeem tickets for sake.
*Purchase of a ticket is required. For details, please refer to the information below.

Karakoro Art Studio
(formerly the Matsue Branch of the Bank of Japan)

Karakoro Art Studio
(formerly the Matsue Branch of the Bank of Japan)

Karakoro Art Studio has long been popular with residents as a symbol of Matsue and as a complex where people can enjoy food, culture, and art. It features a lineup of various genres of restaurants in the San’in region's first food hall, and you can have fun spending time with your companions on its open-air garden terrace, where you can feel the winds of the season.

Location: Terrace on the first floor

① 17：00〜17：40

② 18：10〜18：50

The Matsue-based Iwami Kagura group “Matsue Shinbukai” will make an appearance. They will perform the popular play “Orochi" (giant serpent) with dynamic drumbeats and brilliant dance. Please come enjoy the world of the mythology, passed down from ancient times, through this powerful dance performance.
*In the event of severe weather, the special performance may be modified or canceled.
*Free

Location: Gallery 2 on basement floor 1

① 16：30〜17：10

② 17：40〜18：20

Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn) was a great literary figure who introduced Japanese folktales and legends to the world, and his ghost stories are known for their unique deep horror and mystery. Come experience the moments of horror and surprise.
*In the event that the performer is unable to appear on stage due to sudden illness or other reason, the performance will be cancelled.
*Free
*Seating is limited.

Location: Tea room on the third floor and other places

16：00〜20：00

Experience a tea ceremony in Matsue, one of the three major cities for Japanese sweets. Enjoy a cup of tea to the fullest extent with a Japanese sweet that reflects the skill of a long-established shop. Come enjoy an elegant, relaxing time on a winter evening.
*Purchase of an advance ticket is required. For details, please refer to the information below.

Horikawa Sightseeing Boat - Special Nighttime Service

A special round-trip cruise from Kyomise Karakoro Square to Sujikai Bridge will be running during the two days of the event. Enjoy a ghost story by Koizumi Yakumo told by a storyteller in a winter kotatsu boat as it gently rocks.

［Boarding point］	Karakoro Square
［Operating hours］	17：00~20：00

*Please pay the fare at the boarding point on the day of the event.
*The service may be canceled depending on the weather.
*Please note that due to navigational reasons, it may take some time to guide you to the ship.
*The passenger capacity is limited.
*Cruise time: approx. 25 min

Fare Adults 1,500 yen Elementary school students 1,000 yen Preschoolers Free

December 12 and 13 (same schedule on both days)

*The schedule may be changed suddenly due to circumstances.

Advance Tickets

San'in Food (crab soup, Izumo buckwheat noodles, zenzai) Local Sake of Shimane Tasting Tea Ceremony Experience Special Entry into Matsue Castle Tower	Advance ticket 2,000yen
Please purchase tickets via Lawson TicketL code: 64193 Click here for advance tickets

*Crab soup, Izumo buckwheat noodles, and zenzai are each one bowl per person.
*Local sake is 60 ml x 5 cups (can be exchanged for soft drinks)

●About advance ticket sales
・Sales period for advance tickets: October 16 (Thu.) 12:00 to December 12 (Sat.) and 13 (Sun.) *Until 12:00 on both days
・Inquiry: TSK San'in Chuo Television Operations Department (0852-20-8888; weekdays 10:00–17:00)
・Please exchange your advance tickets for the specific tickets at the Matsue Castle and Karakoro Art Studio information counters on the day of the event.