Matsumoto Castle

From Jcastle.info

Matsumoto1.jpg

History

Next to Himeji-jo, Matsumoto-jo is the next best extant castle main keep in Japan. Built by Ishikawa Kazumasa and his son Yasunaga in 1590, Matsumoto-jo is designated a National Treasure. After Hideyoshi took Odawara he stationed Ishikawa Kazumasa in Matsumoto to govern his eastern provinces. The history of Matsumoto-jo actually begins with a castle called Fukashi-jo which was built by Shimadachi Sadanaga in 1504. That castle was attacked and captured by Takeda Shingen in 1550.


Visit Notes

This was the first large castle and first original extant castle I ever visited. I was so impressed it sparked my future interest in castles.


Loading map...


Gallery


Castle Profile
English Name Matsumoto Castle
Japanese Name 松本城
Alternate Names Fukashijō (深志城)
Founder Ishikawa Kazumasa
Year Founded 1590
Castle Type Flatland
Castle Condition Original main keep
Designations Top 100 Castles, has National Treasures, National Historic Site
Historical Period Edo Period
Main Keep Structure 5 levels, 6 stories
Artifacts tenshu, Inui Kotenshu, Watariyagura, Tsukimi Yagura, Tatsumi Tsukiyagura
Features main keep, gates, turrets, samurai homes, water moats, stone walls, walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access Matsumoto Station, 15 minute walk
Visitor Information Open 8:30am-5:00pm; 700 yen; Closed Dec.29-31
Time Required 120 mins
Website http://welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/contents03+index.id+3.htm
Location Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 14' 19.10" N, 137° 58' 8.11" E
Loading map...
Admin
Added to Jcastle 1999
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 1992, 2002, 2009, 2015
Admin Visits August 1992; May 13, 2002; April 11, 2009; Oct 30, 2015
Friends of JCastle
Kojodan - Matsumoto-jo
Shirobito - Matsumoto-jo
Shirofan - Matsumoto-jo
Ken's Castle Storage - Matsumoto Castle
Malcolm Fairman Photography - Matsumoto Castle
4.86
(57 votes)
Add your comment
Jcastle.info welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.


avatar

ARTShogun

89 months ago
Score 1++
The beautiful multi-storey architecture of the Tenshu (main keep) is clearly the highlight of Matsumotojō and its size makes it the second greatest castle site after Himejijō. Collectively I probably spent about 6 hours at Matsumotojō, including walking around the moat to see the castle at night and waiting in a queue for an hour to enter the tenshukaku (castle tower)! Throughout the duration of my visit it rained a lot and it was most heavy whilst I was inside the tower. I took over an hour to see all of the tower and exhibitions within. Of five-tiers and six-storeys – one hidden floor, the Tenshu of Matsumotojō rises 30 meters on a tenshudai (platform) of Nozura-zumi (style) ishigaki (stonewalls). It is accessed via the Ōteguchi (main entrance) or Tsukimi-yagura (11m) (moon-viewing turret), which was a later extension of the tower. Two adjoining turrets give the tenshu its “L” shape: Inui-kotenshu (17m) in the northwest and Tatsumi-Tsukeyagura (15m). The hidden floor is the 3rd floor and is almost windowless, it is the safest place in the tower as it cannot be identified from outside. It is very dark. The top floor is the look-out and enshrines Nijūrokuya-shin, God of 26 Nights. On the night of January the 26th, 1618, a young soldier on duty saw the vision of a beautifully dressed woman approach. Handing over brocade bag, she said that if the Lord of the castle dedicated 500kg of rice to her on the 26th night of every month, she would protect the castle from all harm. Goddesses got to eat, I guess. Anyway, this tradition continues today. The castle tower, after all, has survived for over 400 years.The Tenshu was scheduled to be abolished after the Meiji Restoration but outcry from the public and influential figures saved it. By 1904 the tenshukaku was leaning dangerously at an angle, but was saved through a funding campaign which led to the “Meiji Restoration”… as in the restoration of the castle during the reign of Emperor Meiji, from 1903-1913. The Shōwa Restoration ran from 1950-1955. A smaller Heisei Restoration was carried out after earthquake damage in 2011. In 1990 Kuromon was reconstructed and in 2002 Taikomon followed. Apparently they want to expand the park by re-digging some of the old moats currently on residential land.
avatar

SnoworionGunshi

91 months ago
Score 0++
Visited on 14 October 2015. A magnificent specimen of a castle. I loved the interior of the castle and the views from atop the castle. From across the moat the castle looks beautiful and aside from Himeji, this has to be the next great site to visit for Japanese castle enthusiast looking for original specimens of the species.
avatar

ARTShogun

92 months ago
Score 0++
I spent collectively about 6 hours at this castle. Admittedly one of those was spent waiting in line just to enter the donjon!
avatar

Anonymous user #1

94 months ago
Score 0++
A very beautiful castle very impressive structure. I went April 2015 but the trees weren't blossomed so it wasn't as spectacular as It seems.
avatar

RaymondWDaimyo

103 months ago
Score 0++
I visited this beautiful castle again, except this time it was at the height of the Japanese O-Bon holiday in mid-August. There is a reason that I had avoided visiting Matsumoto Castle during this holiday season in my previous visits. My wife and I got to the castle at around 9:30 (after taking a very early train from Kofu where we had stayed the previous two days). We had to wait 40 minutes before we could get inside the castle keep. People who came afterwards had to wait up to 2 hours. They had set up white tents with benches for roughly the first 200 people waiting. People further back in the queue had to stand. Roughly every 7 to 8 minutes, the staff would let another group of about 50 people into the castle keep. It's a great castle to visit, but if you go during the O-Bon holiday, you have to be patient if you plan to visit the castle keep.
avatar

Anonymous user #1

104 months ago
Score 0++
Really beautiful and historical castle. I enjoyed walking through the castle and castle grounds. Both times I went they also had people dressed up in traditional costume you can take photos with.
avatar

FurinkazanDaimyo

119 months ago
Score 0++
Revisited this very beautiful site today. For me still the most beautiful castle of Japan. The works at the red bridge and at the eastern side of the honmaru are still being done. Otherwise the buildings are accessible. I made a tour with a english speaking guide. There were alot at the site and were really willing to make a tour. I had a great time with him and we learned some stuff from each other. My guide and the others were astonished by my knowledge of their history. They asked me if i could stay longer and be a guide for french- and dutch-speaking visitors, LOL. I asked about the goten. The city want to rebuild it, but like it was. On that purpose they asked people to provide them with photos and/or plans of the goten during the Edo-period. Unfortunately untill now nobody showed up.
avatar

DiegoDeManilaAshigaru

120 months ago
Score 0++

Visited 13 April 2013. Good timing as the sakura were still in bloom. As beautiful as I had hoped, although there was maintenance work in the vicinity of the famous red bridge which rather spoiled the view of the castle from that popular vantage point (the work's probably long done by now since my visit was last year, though I don't know for certain). I hope they eventually get around to restoring one or more of the palaces, perhaps starting with the Ninomaru Palace (just empty ground with the palace outline marked out so nothing to obstruct a rebuilding effort). I hope to return one day, hopefully with the moat clear and the red bridge all ready for a great shot with the castle behind.

http://withi...-april-2013/
avatar

Kiddus i2003Gunshi

121 months ago
Score 0++
My personal opinion , is that is the best castle in Japan. After seven trips to Japan I have visited it four times and I probably will get there this trip. Awe inspiring location.
avatar

BryanbaierPeasant

147 months ago
Score 0++
This was the first original castle I visited. It's tied with Matsue in my mind for first place.
avatar

Anonymous user #1

147 months ago
Score 0++
This is my favourite castle so far. Visiting at the start of Feb on a sunny winters day was great. No people, me and Kris had the place to ourselves.
avatar

Anonymous user #1

149 months ago
Score 0++
Black castle of Matsumoto
avatar

Frank T.Gunshi

152 months ago
Score 0++
The keep is very photogenic, but I prefer other sites with fewer visitors and more extensive moats and grounds. The park is very well maintained. There's just not so much to see compared to other sites.
avatar

RaymondWDaimyo

153 months ago
Score 0++
I made it to this castle again last week. This has to be one of the most photogenic castles that I have visited, but going in August is controlled madness particularly around the Obon period when many locals are on holiday. It’s a great castle to visit, and there are volunteer guides who speak English. Also, until 11 in the morning, they have a guy decked out in all the trappings of a samurai with whom you can take some photos. He had a couple of female helpers. I stayed at Toyoko Inn, so I was able to buy the discounted ticket for half price (300yen instead of 600yen). The Top 100 Castle stamp is in the little office next to the souvenir shop.
avatar

RonSAshigaru

153 months ago
Score 0++
Finally made it to Matsumoto after almost 30 years. The castle was worth the wait. The keep is truly magnificent. I must also add that we were greatly impressed by the staff and volunteers who were on hand to welcome, assist and inform visitors. We felt genuinely welcomed by them.
avatar

RebolforcesAshigaru

156 months ago
Score 0++
Fabulous looking castle. Got photo taken outside with guy in samurai amour and got to hold the swords. Also was interviewed by NHK for a castle special.
avatar

Anonymous user #1

160 months ago
Score 0++
This a one of the best castles I have seen so far, the original construction makes the castle even more beautiful and interesting. The insides of the castle is equally as glorious as the outside and truly amazing to see in its original state. It is a definite must to see if you are interested in Japanese history and castles. I am glad one castle managed to survive in its original state.
avatar

RaymondWDaimyo

162 months ago
Score 0++
This castle is spectacular in autumn with a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and yellow leaves intermingling with the evergreen stuff. My previous two visits to the castle were in the summer, so the foliage was nowhere near as beautiful. Also, work was being done on the Moon-Viewing Turret at the time of my last visit, so it was completely covered in white scaffolding. This time round, I got to see the whole castle in all its splendour. I stayed at the Toyoko Inn in Matsumoto. They have a special offer for guests where you can buy the castle ticket (castle and city museum) for half price, 300yen. The regular price is 600yen.
avatar

RaymondWDaimyo

176 months ago
Score 0++
Forgot to mention in my comment below that there is some renovation work going on at the Moon Viewing Tower right now, so that part of the castle keep is covered in scaffolding and some white covers. Just perfect for taking photos...
avatar

RaymondWDaimyo

176 months ago
Score 0++
This is a brilliant and photogenic castle to visit. It is definitely one of the most beautiful castles in Japan because of its location right next to the moat and beautifully kept gardens. However, Himeji Castle is more impressive because it has most of its original turrets, gates, and white walls intact. Inside the souvenir shop on the honmaru grounds (inner bailey), you can pick a 52 page book about the history and design of Matsumoto Castle for 1,500yen. It’s all in English which is a huge bonus for those of us not fluent in Japanese. I visited this castle both in the morning on a weekday and afternoon on the weekend in early September. The weekday is definitely better as you don’t have to deal with the crowds in the castle keep.
avatar

FurinkazanDaimyo

178 months ago
Score 0++
This is the most beautiful castle i've visited so long, even better than Himejijo. I was there in april and the sakura were in full bloom. It is a very beautiful site.