Destinations · 島根県 · Chugoku
Shimane
Shimane (島根県) is a prefecture in the Chugoku region of Japan; its capital is Matsue (松江市).
Last checked · Sources
Shimane in numbers
In 2025 about 58,000 foreign visitors came to Shimane — 47th of the 47 prefectures. They spent an average of 39,000 yen each in the prefecture and stayed 3.7 nights there on average.
Foreign guests accounted for 3.3% of all guest nights booked in Shimane in 2025, up 36.5% on 2024 and +9.8% against 2019.
Visitors from France are the most likely to include Shimane in a trip (0.9% did in 2025), followed by Germany (0.5%) and Taiwan (0.3%).
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Foreign visitors in 2025 | 58,000 (rank 47 of 47) |
| Average spend per visitor in the prefecture | 39,000 yen |
| Total spend by foreign visitors | 2.3 billion yen |
| Average nights spent in the prefecture | 3.7 |
| Foreign guest nights in 2025 (hotels, ryokan and other lodging) | 114,300 |
| Share of all guest nights that were foreign | 3.3% |
| Foreign guest nights vs 2024 | +36.5% |
| Foreign guest nights vs 2019 | +9.8% |
| Share of surveyed visitors who went to Shimane | 0.1% |
| Nationalities most likely to visit | France 0.9%, Germany 0.5%, Taiwan 0.3% |
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final), summary report (regional survey) (都道府県別 訪問者数・消費単価・旅行消費額・平均泊数（地域調査）). Period: 2025-01 to 2025-12. Unit: visitors_10k = 10,000 persons; spend_per_person_10k_yen = 10,000 yen; spend_100m_yen = 100 million yen; nights = average nights.
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 annual (final) (都道府県別 延べ宿泊者数（外国人・全体）、2024年・2019年は同調査の各年確定値). Period: 2025-01 to 2025-12. Unit: guest nights (person-nights).
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final) (表6-1 都道府県別訪問率（全目的）). Period: 2025-01 to 2025-12. Unit: percent of respondents.
Climate in Shimane, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snowfall | Sun hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 2°C (35°F) | 153 mm (6.0 in) | 28 cm | 67 |
| Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 1°C (34°F) | 118 mm (4.7 in) | 25 cm | 89 |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 4°C (38°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 6 cm | 140 |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 8°C (47°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 0 cm | 182 |
| May | 23°C (74°F) | 14°C (56°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 0 cm | 206 |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 18°C (65°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 0 cm | 157 |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 0 cm | 169 |
| Aug | 32°C (89°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 0 cm | 201 |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 20°C (67°F) | 204 mm (8.0 in) | 0 cm | 146 |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 13°C (56°F) | 126 mm (5.0 in) | 0 cm | 154 |
| Nov | 16°C (62°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 0 cm | 114 |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 4°C (38°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 11 cm | 79 |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, climatological normals (1991–2020) (station page). Snowfall is the monthly total of fresh snow.
Nearby prefectures
- Tottori Chugoku region · capital Tottori
- Hiroshima Chugoku region · capital Hiroshima
- Yamaguchi Chugoku region · capital Yamaguchi
Sources
Official and primary sources used for this page. Checked October 8, 2026.
- Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final), summary report (regional survey) – 都道府県別 訪問者数・消費単価・旅行消費額・平均泊数（地域調査） — 2025-01 to 2025-12
- Japan Tourism Agency, Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 annual (final) – 都道府県別 延べ宿泊者数（外国人・全体）、2024年・2019年は同調査の各年確定値 — 2025-01 to 2025-12
- Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final) – 表6-1 都道府県別訪問率（全目的） — 2025-01 to 2025-12
- Japan Meteorological Agency, climatological normals (1991–2020) — monthly climatological normals 1991–2020
To cite or link to this page: Shimane — Japan Pocket Guide, https://japanpocketguide.com/prefectures/shimane/