Matsumoto Castle
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Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Japanese Castles > Matsumoto
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto Japan by Bengt Oberger (CC BY 3.0)
About
Matsumoto Castle by Gorgo (CC0 1.0)
Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's premier castles that stands in the city of Matsumoto Japan. "Premier" means that it is one of only three "Original" castles still standing in Japan, the other two being Himeji and Kumamoto. Before the castle was built a "fortress / stronghold" was built called "Fukashi Castle". No one quite knows what happened to that castle but later on another Daimyou (King) and his son started to build Matsumoto Castle. It is believed much of the castle was completed by 1593–94. The castle actually never saw any "action" or threats against it (probably because it is so massive and has excellent defenses) but throughout time various clans and their Daimyou ruled the Matsumoto area from within the great castle. The "Main Keep" (in Japanese: "tenshukaku") maintains its original wooden interiors and external stonework. Matsumoto Castle is a "flatland castle" (and not a "hill top" castle) because it is not built on a hilltop or amid rivers. It is listed as a National Treasure of Japan.
Matsumoto Castle by Solquente (CC BY-SA 4.0)
After the Meiji Restoration In 1872, most ALL of the castles were ordered to be destroyed (most sold at auction so that they could be destroyed and the land could be used for redevelopment). However, luckily for Matsumoto Caste, when news broke that the keep was going to be demolished, an influential figure from Matsumoto, Ichikawa Ryouzou, along with residents from Matsumoto, campaigned to save it and they did!
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Data
Name: Matsumoto Castle (松本城 - Matsumoto Jyou)
Original Year Built: Commenced 1590, completed Main Tower 1597
Type: Flatland Castle 平城
Class: Huge Castle
Main Tower Size: 6 Stories
Features: Main Tower (Tenshu), Towers (Turrets), Gates, Bridges, Water Moats, Stone Walls
Condition: Original
Founder: Ishikawa Kazumasa
Timeline
1504 - A smaller castle was built in this general location by the Ogasawara Clan, that castle was called Hayashi Castle. Soon after, a larger castle was built in front of Hayashi Castle (using parts from Hayashi Castle) and was called Fukashi Castle.
1550 - Takeda Shingen attacked and took control of Fukashi Castle.
1582 - The Ogasawara Clan retook the castle and renamed it to Matsumoto Castle.
1590 - The castle was expanded to become a major castle.
1597 - The Tenshu (Main Tower) was completed.
1871 - After the Meiji Restoration the castle was decommissioned.
1872 - The castle was abandoned and as per the Meiji Restoration orders, many structures of the castle were torn down but the main Tenshu survived.
1903 - Restoration of the Main Tower took place as it was on the verge of collapse.
1913 - Restoration of the Main Tower completed.
1960-now - Restoration of other features of the castle continued and are continuing.
Access
Closest Train Station: Matsumoto
Marunouchi 4-1
Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873 Japan
Tel: 263-32-2902
From Matsumoto Station:
- Walk: 15 - 25 min.
- Town Sneaker bus loop: Take the "Northern Course" from JR Matsumoto Station, ride about 5 min.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Matsumoto Castle.
Hours & Fees
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: December 29 to 31
Cost: Adult (18+): 700 yen, 12-17: 300 yen, Elementary and under no charge.
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Matsumoto Castle Homepage
