Matsumoto Castle, National Treasure castle in Marunouchi, Japan
The black and white wooden structure rises as a five-tiered, six-story fortress with three defensive turrets above a stone foundation and surrounding moat.
Built in 1504, the castle served as a military stronghold during the Sengoku period, featuring strategic defensive elements like narrow windows for archers and gunmen.
The castle hosts annual events including the Taiko Drum Festival and Takigi Noh performances, where traditional plays unfold by torchlight near the castle grounds.
Visitors can access the castle through a 15-minute walk from Matsumoto Station or take the Town Sneaker Bus to the Matsumotojo stop.
The wooden keep contains original steep stairs, low ceilings, and strategic windows that frame views of the Japanese Alps and Matsumoto City.
Location: Marunouchi
Inception: 1504
Floors above the ground: 5
Part of: 100 Fine Castles of Japan
Website: https://matsumoto-castle.jp
GPS coordinates: 36.23889,137.96917
Latest update: May 27, 2025 15:18
These castles are located away from the main tourist destinations and represent different periods of European and American architecture. From medieval fortresses to royal residences, each castle tells its own story. The buildings occupy distinctive locations: on islands, in mountain caves, or surrounded by vineyards. The collection includes structures from various centuries that have remained relatively unknown due to their remote locations or historical circumstances. Some of these castles served as defensive strongholds, while others functioned as aristocratic homes or administrative centers. These sites offer visitors the opportunity to experience historical architecture in quiet settings and learn about the regional characteristics of different countries and periods.
These castles represent significant architecture from medieval to modern times. The structures showcase military defenses, royal residences, and religious centers. From the Alhambra in Spain to Himeji in Japan, these fortresses document different architectural styles and historical periods.
Kaichi School
500 m
Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre
1 km
Kōbōyama Kofun
3.1 km
Matsumoto City Museum of Art
1 km
Matsumoto Baseball Stadium
2.8 km
Agata-no-mori Park
1.6 km
Fukashi Shrine
1.1 km
Naganoken-Gokoku-jinja
2.3 km
筑摩神社
1.8 km
長野縣松本文化會館
2.4 km
AlpsPark
2.8 km
Matsumoto City Museum
195 m
Matsumoto City Timepiece Museum
569 m
Igawa Castle
1.9 km
Former Kaichi School
471 m
伊和神社
2 km
Old Higher School Museum
1.5 km
Former Catholic Parsonage
501 m
Former Yamabe School Building
3.1 km
Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum
2.3 km
Matsumoto Scale Museum
630 m
Nakamachi Kurassic-kan
619 m
Watariyagura
38 m
Tsukimi Yagura
43 m
Dai-tenshu
45 m
Tatsumi Tsukeyagura
46 m
Inui Kotenshu
34 m
Former Kaichi School Building
470 mReviews
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