Major city · Japan
Gotsu江津市
Skip Gotsu unless you have a car and a specific interest in Sesshu's garden or a quiet coastal hike: half a day is enough, and the town has no bike rental.
Gotsu is a small coastal city in western Shimane, best known for the Ogawa Residence garden designed by painter-poet Sesshu and the star-topped Mt. Hoshitaka. It sits on the Sanin Railway line between Hamada and Matsue, but without a car you are limited to walking from the station. Most travellers pass through en route to Izumo or Tsuwano.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, some snow)
- Airports
- IZO · HIJ
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gotsu110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gotsu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the main risks are summer heat and the lack of street lighting on Mt.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIZO Izumo Enmusubi Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited flights from Tokyo (Haneda) and Osaka (Itami).).
- Getting aroundNo bike rental; walking from the station covers the Honmachi district and the Ogawa Residence.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (ramen or soba)¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9)
- Beerdraught at a bar / can at a convenience store¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM.¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
- Museum or sight ticketOgawa Residence entry¥500 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedHostel or minshuku bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥22,000 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IZO Izumo Enmusubi Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited flights from Tokyo (Haneda) and Osaka (Itami).) · HIJ Hiroshima Airport (About 2 h by car via the Chugoku Expressway; more domestic and international connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Aug (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gotsu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No bike rental; walking from the station covers the Honmachi district and the Ogawa Residence. For Mt. Hoshitaka or the coast, a car or taxi is needed. Taxis queue at Gotsu Station; ask the driver for a card.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hamada
goDoor to door: About 40 min
JR Sanin Line, about 30 min
Coastal city with a fish market and the Hamada Castle ruins.
Izumo
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
JR Sanin Line, about 1 h 10 min
Izumo Taisha shrine and the historic Inasa beach area.
Tsuwano
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
JR Sanin Line to Tsuwano Station, about 1 h 20 min
Well-preserved samurai town with a castle ruin and carp-filled canals.
Matsue
goDoor to door: About 1.75 h
JR Sanin Line, about 1 h 30 min
Matsue Castle, the Lafcadio Hearn residence, and the Horikawa canal boat ride.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near Gotsu Station
A few business hotels and minshuku; walking distance to the station and the Honmachi district.
Coastal area
Ryokan and small inns along the coast; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–10,000 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥16,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥12,000 | ¥12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥24,000 |
| JR Sanin Line Gotsu → Hamada, one way2 × ¥580 · check | ¥1,160 |
| Taxi Gotsu Station → Mt. Hoshitaka trailhead1 × ¥2,000 · check | ¥2,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,420 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,290 per person per day, bed included | ¥48,580≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Noodle soup (ramen or soba) | ¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer: draught at a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM. | ¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17) |
| JR Sanin Line Gotsu → Hamada, one way | ¥580 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| Ogawa Residence entry | ¥500 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No bike rental in town; plan for walking or a car.
- The Ogawa Residence garden may close on short notice: check the official site before visiting.
- Mt. Hoshitaka trail can be overgrown in summer; wear long trousers and bring water.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Gotsu江津市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gotsu Station → Hamada, JR Sanin Line: about ¥580 (≈ US$4), about 30 min (check)
- Taxi Gotsu Station → Mt. Hoshitaka: about ¥2,000 (≈ US$14)
- Taxi Gotsu Station → Ogawa Residence: about ¥1,000 (≈ US$7)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Cash is essential; many places do not accept cards.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gotsu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, some snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Ogawa Residence, Mt. Hoshitaka, Honmachi Iraka Kaido with verified opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages with last orders and cash-only warnings.
- Car-rental anchor in Hamada and Hiroshima with drop-off in Gotsu.
- Taxi company phone numbers and fare estimates from Gotsu Station.
Sources
Ask about Gotsu
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