Matsuyama Castle, Matsuyama

Name: Matsuyama Castle
Address: 1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama, Japan
Telephone: +81 89-921-4873

#1 among attractions in Matsuyama

Top attraction, Forts and castles, Historical place, View point

Gallery (15)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Masoud Akbari / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / kdewa / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Jyo81 (ja:User) / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Urashimataro / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / z tanuki / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Masoud Akbari / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 1.0 / Jyo81 / URL

Facts and practical information

Perched atop Katsuyama Hill in the city of Matsuyama, Japan, Matsuyama Castle stands as a testament to the country's rich feudal history. This well-preserved fortress, constructed between 1602 and 1628, is considered one of Japan's most significant castles and is a must-see for any visitor to the region.

Matsuyama Castle is unique in that it remains one of Japan's twelve original castles, having survived the tumultuous Meiji Restoration when many other castles were dismantled. The castle's main tower, or 'tenshu,' offers a panoramic view of Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea, making it a favorite spot for both history buffs and sightseers alike.

Visitors can reach the castle's hilltop location via a brisk hike or by taking a more modern route: a cable car or chairlift. Once at the summit, the castle's grounds and secondary citadels provide a glimpse into the life of a bygone era. The interiors have been meticulously maintained and now house a museum with artifacts and displays illustrating the castle's history and the daily lives of its samurai inhabitants.

The architecture of Matsuyama Castle is notable for its multi-layered defensive structures, including moats, gates, and turrets, which showcase the strategic military design of the period. The castle's black and white facade stands out against the backdrop of the city, offering numerous opportunities for stunning photographs, especially during the cherry blossom season when the surrounding gardens are in full bloom.

Local name: 松山城 Built: 1603 (421 years ago)Coordinates: 33°50'45"N, 132°45'58"E

Address

1 MarunouchiMatsuyama Japan

Contact

+81 89-921-4873

Website

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Matsuyama

Day trips

Matsuyama Castle – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: The Museum of Art, Dōgo Onsen, Yuzuki Castle, Shiki Memorial Museum.

0.4 miSW
Museum
The Museum of Art, Matsuyama
11 min walk • The Museum of Art, Ehime opened in the grounds of Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan in 1998, as the successor to the Ehime Prefectural Museum of Art, which opened in 1970.
1.2 miE
Nature, Hot springs, Historical place
Dōgo Onsen, Matsuyama
32 min walk • Dōgo Onsen is a hot spring in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan.
1.2 miE
Medieval castle ruins and excavation site
Yuzuki Castle, Matsuyama
31 min walk • Yuzuki-jō is a former Japanese castle near Dōgo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. The Kōno clan ruled Iyo Province from Yuzuki from the fourteenth century.
1.2 miE
Museum, History museum
Shiki Memorial Museum, Matsuyama
32 min walk • The Matsuyama City Shiki Memorial Museum is a museum devoted mainly to the life and work of Japanese writer Masaoka Shiki, who was born and raised in Matsuyama.
~1880 ftE
Aerial tramway
Matsuyamajō Ropeway, Matsuyama
10 min walk • The Matsuyamajō Ropeway is a Japanese aerial lift line in Matsuyama, Ehime, operated by the city government. Opened in 1955, the line goes to Matsuyama Castle on Mount Katsuyama. The former cabins were famous for being decorated like Edo period litter vehicles. There is also a chairlift line parallel to and beside the tramway.
1.2 miE
Museum
Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum, Matsuyama
32 min walk • Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum or Sakano-ueno-kumo Museum is a museum located in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, and inspired by the novel Saka no ue no kumo, written by Ryōtarō Shiba. Matsuyama City leads community development mainly with this museum. The museum was constructed by Tadao Ando.
0.5 miS
City hall, Tram
Matsuyama City Hall, Matsuyama
12 min walk • Matsuyama City Hall is the facility that houses the organization of Matsuyama City, a local government in Japan.
0.6 miW
Garden, Park
Kōshin-an, Matsuyama
17 min walk • Kōshin-an is a retreat including a Japanese garden and a house in Matsuyama, Ehime. This was once a villa or a humble cottage of Kurita Chodō, a haiku poet of the Edo period.
0.7 miS
33°50'9"N • 132°46'8"E
Yin tian jieGET, Matsuyama
19 min walk • Shopping, Shopping centre
0.9 miSW
Sport, Sport venue
Matsuyama City General Community Center, Matsuyama
24 min walk • Matsuyama City General Community Center is an arena in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan. It is the home arena of the Ehime Orange Vikings of the B.League, Japan's professional basketball league.
0.4 miNE
Science museum, Universities and schools
Ehime University, Matsuyama
11 min walk • Ehime University is a Japanese national university in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The university has one of the largest student populations in the Shikoku region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Matsuyama Castle open?

Matsuyama Castle is open:

Monday 9 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday 9 am - 4:30 pm
Friday 9 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday 9 am - 4:30 pm
Sunday 9 am - 4:30 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Matsuyama Castle?

Nearby attractions include Matsuyama University, Matsuyama (9 min walk), Matsuyamajō Ropeway, Matsuyama (10 min walk), Matsuyama Junior College, Matsuyama (10 min walk), Ehime University, Matsuyama (11 min walk).

How to get to Matsuyama Castle by public transport?

The nearest stations to Matsuyama Castle:

Tram

Shimizumachi • Lines: 1, 2 (7 min walk)
Teppocho • Lines: 1, 2 (7 min walk)

Bus

県庁前 • Lines: 92;[南] (9 min walk)
大街道 • Lines: 92;[南] (10 min walk)

Train

Komachi (17 min walk)
Otemachi (19 min walk)