Matsuyama Castle

▶ 21 Important Cultural Properties: A Must-See
The Aoi crest on the tiles and Japan's only turret
The main keep, rebuilt in 1602 during the Ansei era, is a three-story, one basement layer castle keep, representing the last complete castle architecture of the Edo period. The main keep, the small keep, and the corner turrets are interconnected, forming a typical series of castle structures known as a compound-style keep. Among the twelve existing keeps, it is the only one built by the Matsudaira clan, the allied family, which is evident from the "Aoi crest" found on tiles and other materials. Notably, the turret known as the Nohara turret, located north of the main courtyard, is Japan's only surviving two-story lookout turret, believed to be a prototype of the main keep, and it has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. If you want to make the most of your visit and learn more about Matsuyama Castle, it's recommended to have a volunteer guide show you around.

▶ Enjoy the Unique and Artistic Stone Walls
The "Climbing Stone Walls" connecting the main keep and the second bailey
There are rare "Climbing Stone Walls," which are particularly unique on a national level. Among the twelve existing keeps, Matsuyama Castle and Hikone Castle are the only ones that feature these walls. They connect the second bailey at the foot of the mountain to the main keep at the summit using two stone walls that ascend the slope. The stone walls here are longer than those at Hikone Castle, measuring over 230 meters in total. The southern side is almost perfectly preserved, and you can see it from the San-no-maru (Horinouchi Park) or the castle access road behind the prefectural office. Additionally, there are impressive stone walls over 14 meters tall, showcasing a folding screen design and elegant curves like a fan. The grand views created by the stone walls, the castle, and the surrounding trees are definitely worth seeing.

▶ Viewing the Castle and the Surroundings
The Night Illumination is Stunning
Matsuyama Castle, standing majestically on a mountain in the center of Matsuyama City, offers fantastic views from the keep. The panoramic view from the top floor of the keep, situated at an altitude of 161 meters, is a must-see. To the west, you can see the Seto Inland Sea, and to the south, the distant Ishizuchi Mountain Range can be observed. The main courtyard is open until 9 PM, making it a popular spot for night views. On special evening opening days, you can also enjoy night views from the keep, so be sure to check for those dates! For a distant view of the castle, the recommended viewpoint is from the San-no-maru Park looking up from the west side of Horinouchi Park towards the keep. Other popular viewing spots include areas around Matsuyama City Hall and the Matsuyama Comprehensive Park, which are a little further away. The keep is illuminated until 11 PM.

▶ Enjoy Seasonal Nature and Events
A Popular Spot for Cherry Blossom Viewing and Bird Watching
Matsuyama Castle and the sprawling Shiroyama Park at its foot are famous for cherry blossoms, attracting a large number of visitors during the blooming period of the Somei Yoshino cherry trees. In addition to Somei Yoshino, various other types of cherry trees such as Kawazuzakura, Yoshinozakura, Edohigan Sakura, and Ooshima Sakura are also planted. Flowers such as plums, quince, fragrant olive, and azaleas, along with the fall foliage, provide seasonal enjoyment for visitors. Additionally, the area is known as a bird-watching spot, where you can encounter various wild birds. Interesting events, such as "Castle Dance" held on specific dates in January, August, and October, and "Stories from Old Tales" at the Kakimon Zukuri turret on Saturdays, are also conducted regularly.

▶ Easy Access via Ropeway and Lift
Ascend to the 8th Station via Air Route
There are four walking routes to the main courtyard of Matsuyama Castle, but all of them present quite steep slopes, even for physically fit individuals. If you want to experience a genuine ascent to the castle, you should definitely walk; however, for visitors, using the ropeway or lift route is popular. The ropeway takes about 3 minutes, while the lift takes about 6 minutes to reach the Chojakeira at the 8th station. From there, it's about a 10-minute walk to the main keep. If you choose to use the castle approach path, it will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.