Matsumoto Castle : Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture

Matsumoto Castle：マツモトジョウ＝まつもとじょう（松本城：長野県松本市）

Table Of Contents

• Matsumoto Castle location – 松本城 所在地
• A historical turning point for Matsumoto Castle – 松本城の歴史的な転換点
• Scenery of Matsumoto Castle – 松本城の風景
• Matsumoto Castle light-up – 松本城のライトアップ

Matsumoto Castle location – 松本城 所在地

A historical turning point for Matsumoto Castle -松本城の歴史的な転換点

Around 1504 (early 16th century)

It is said that the castle was first built by Shimadate Ukon Sadahisa, a descendant of the Ogasawara clan, the shugo (military governor) of Shinano Province.

Around 1550 (Tenbun era)

It is believed that Takeda Harunobu (Shingen) ruled this area and renovated Fukashi Castle.

1582 (Tensho 10).

The castle was renovated by the Ishikawa clan in the early modern period, and later recaptured by Ogasawara Sadayoshi, who renamed it “Matsumoto Castle.”

1590 (Tensho 18)

Ishikawa Kazumasa and his son Yasunaga, who were appointed to the domain by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, constructed the modern castle structure and keep (Inui Small Keep and Connecting Turret) that form the foundation of the present-day Matsumoto Castle.

17th century to 19th century

During the Edo period’s development and after the Matsudaira and Toda eras, the castle was ruled by shogunate daimyo such as Matsudaira Naomasa, and the Tsukimi-yagura and Tatsumi-tsuki-yagura were added, fulfilling its role as a castle in a time of peace.

End Of 19th Century

The castle faced the threat of demolition due to the crisis of the Meiji Restoration and the citizens’ decree to preserve and abolish castles. However, local influential figures such as Ichikawa Ryozo worked tirelessly, and in 1872 (Meiji 5), they bought it back through a public auction, thus saving the castle.

Meiji to Showa eras (1868 to 1989, approximately 121 years)

After undergoing major repairs from the Meiji to Showa periods, it was designated a National Treasure (1952), and its current appearance has been preserved ever since.

From 1999 (Heisei 11)

The Taiko Gate was restored and remains in its current state.

Matsumoto Castle is a Japanese castle located in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture (formerly Chikuma County, Shinano Province).
Before it was called Matsumoto Castle, it was called Fukashi Castle（ふかしじょう=深志城）.
Matsumoto Castle was designated a national treasure in 1930 (Showa 11). (This designation was made based on the National Treasure Preservation Law, and it is also called the “former national treasure” to distinguish it from current national treasures.) It has not yet been registered as a World Heritage Site, but they are aiming to be registered as one.
It’s difficult to get a site registered as a World Heritage Site.
Matsumoto Castle is one of the five castles whose castle towers have been designated as national treasures (Japan’s Five National Treasure Castles).
The other four castles are Himeji Castle（姫路城）, Hikone Castle（彦根城）, Inuyama Castle（犬山城）, and Matsue Castle（松江城）.
I would like to visit the other four castles someday.

[Structure]

From the right, the Inui Small Castle Tower, the Large Castle Tower, the Tatsumitsuke Tower, and in front of them, the Tsukimi Tower. A typical flat castle in 2013 (Heisei 25). The Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru are all leveled and roughly square.
The Honmaru, with the castle tower in the southwest, is surrounded by the concave Ninomaru, which is missing its northern part, and this is then surrounded on all four sides by Sannomaru, creating a layout that combines a ladder-shaped layout with an outline style.
All of these are separated by moats.
It is said to be the only castle among the 12 surviving castle towers that is built on flat land.

National Treasure Matsumoto Castle – Official Website
https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/wp
[National Treasure Matsumoto Castle – Official website for enjoying Matsumoto Castle even more] 

I have business in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, so I would like to show you Matsumoto Castle, which I photographed when I went there in early March and early April.
However, I tried to go to the castle tower (entrance fee required) on both days, but it was so crowded I gave up.(;^ω^) If I go again, I’ll definitely go in again.

In early March, the cherry blossoms had not yet bloomed and there was still snow remaining.The cherry blossoms are at their best around April 10th, and I’ve included two photo collections, each with a different atmosphere and taken at different times, so the colors vary slightly.
I hope this will help you decide when to visit.
It gets quite crowded during the cherry blossom season.

※The admission fee for the castle tower of Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure, will increase from April 1, 2025. The adult admission fee will be 1,200 yen for an electronic ticket and 1,300 yen for a paper ticket. The admission fee for elementary and junior high school students will increase from 300 yen to 400 yen for both paper and electronic tickets.

Scenery of Matsumoto Castle – 松本城の風景

It seems that there are more foreign tourists than Japanese people, but there seem to be more Japanese people than in tourist spots in the Kanto region.
As one of Japan’s five national treasure castles, I think it’s definitely worth a visit even for Japanese people.
However, it’s quite far from the Kanto region.Even so, I noticed a surprisingly large number of foreign women waiting in line at the castle tower (admission fee required) on both days.
I once again realized that Matsumoto Castle is a very impressive building, and I’m glad to hear that foreigners are also impressed by it.

However, the building itself had a sad atmosphere.
This may have been due to my prior knowledge, but perhaps the fact that Matsumoto Castle was once ruled by military commanders from various clans, including the Ishikawa（石川）, Ogasawara（小笠原）, Toda（戸田）, and Matsudaira（松平） clans, made me feel that way.
There are family crest signs all around the castle, and you may enjoy your visit even more if you learn the meanings of the family crests（Kamon＝家紋）.
The autumn leaves are beautiful, and Matsumoto Castle would be very picturesque in the snow, so I thought I’d take some photos again if I went back in a different season.

Matsumoto Castle light-up – 松本城のライトアップ

Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure) – Official Website
https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp
[Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure) – Official website for enjoying Matsumoto Castle even more.] 

The twilight shadows before the lights came on created a wonderful atmosphere, Matsumoto Castle looked beautiful when lit up, and the park had a great ambiance.
I’d love to see Matsumoto Castle with projection mapping, but I’d also like to see it under a full moon with a sky full of stars, without any illuminations.

Even though Japan is generally safe, it is dangerous for women to walk alone in parks at night.

While Japan has a relatively low crime rate compared to other countries, it’s not zero. Walking alone at night, especially as a woman, is particularly dangerous, so please be extremely careful. Self-avoidance is important.

Thank you for watching.