Matsumoto Castle

The Story

The original fortress on this site dates to 1504, but the main tower was built between 1593 and 1594 during Japan's feudal Sengoku period of warring states. It passed through several feudal lords before the Meiji period ended feudalism — at which point it was nearly demolished for scrap before a local preservation campaign saved it in 1876. That early conservation effort made Matsumoto one of Japan's best-preserved original castles. The addition of a Moon-Viewing Tower for aesthetic rather than military purposes reveals the refined sensibility of its later lords.

What Awaits You

Architecture: Six-story flatland castle (hirajiro) with distinctive black lacquered exterior — one of Japan's twelve original castles with surviving ancient wooden interiors
Cultural significance: Built in 1593; designated a National Treasure of Japan — one of the country's oldest surviving castles
Landscape / setting: On the flat basin of Matsumoto city, reflected in its wide moat, with the Japanese Alps visible behind on clear days
Unique feature: The Moon-Viewing Tower (Tsukimi Yagura) — a pavilion added for aesthetic pleasure rather than military purpose, with no arrow slits or defensive features