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Perched atop the 132-meter-high Katsuyama Hill in the heart of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama Castle commands attention with its majestic presence. Renowned for its stunning architecture and panoramic views of the cityscape from its main keep, it stands as a symbol of Ehime’s rich heritage.
Within the castle’s main enclosure lies a collection of invaluable keeps dating back to the Edo period (1603–1867), earning Matsuyama Castle a place among Japan’s twelve surviving original castles.
This article delves into the “Main Keep” area of Matsuyama Castle, accessible with an admission fee, highlighting its unique features and must-see attractions.
Before embarking on your journey, it’s helpful to grasp the overall structure of Matsuyama Castle.
Excluding the gardens at the base, the castle can be broadly divided into three main sections: the “Main Enclosure,” the “Main Keep,” and the “Tenshu” (central tower).
The summit area, accessible via ropeways, lifts, or hiking trails, is known as the “Main Enclosure.”
Located on the northern side of the Main Enclosure, the “Main Keep” encompasses a cluster of interconnected towers, including the central Tenshu. This area features a complex layout designed to delay enemy advances, serving as the castle’s final line of defense.
At the heart of the Main Keep stands the “Tenshu,” the tallest structure symbolizing the castle’s authority and serving as a watchtower.
The Main Enclosure also houses a spacious plaza offering scenic views, souvenir shops, and spots for rest and dining.
Visitors can enter the Main Keep area by paying an admission fee. This article focuses on exploring this specific section of Matsuyama Castle.
Matsuyama Castle is distinguished as one of Japan’s twelve original castles, known as the “Twelve Original Keeps.” These castles, constructed before the Edo period, have remarkably survived through the Meiji era’s castle abolishment orders and wartime destruction, preserving their original structures.
Among these twelve, castles like Himeji and Matsumoto are designated national treasures, each reflecting unique characteristics. Himeji Castle boasts a grand, white-plastered appearance, while Matsumoto Castle features a black exterior on flat terrain. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle stands as a mountain fortress at a high elevation.
Matsuyama Castle uniquely combines mountain-top construction with a multi-tower complex, maintaining a rare architectural balance. Its interconnected towers and corridors form a cohesive defensive system, allowing visitors to experience the castle’s intricate design firsthand.
The hallmark of Matsuyama Castle is its “multi-tower” configuration, where several turrets and connecting corridors integrate seamlessly around the central Tenshu.
This design entails multiple turrets and corridors linked to the main tower, creating a unified, fortress-like structure. Each component functions in harmony, facilitating coordinated defense strategies—a testament to the practical military architecture of the Sengoku period.
From the central Tenshu, smaller towers such as the southern and northern corner turrets and the western turret extend outward, forming a formidable stronghold atop stone walls. Each element serves a strategic purpose, meticulously crafted to enhance defense mechanisms.
Beyond its imposing exterior, the castle’s design intricately complicates enemy infiltration routes, enabling defense from multiple angles. This practical, combat-ready structure exemplifies the ingenuity of multi-tower architecture.
Walking through Matsuyama Castle reveals a three-dimensional path from corner turrets to the main Tenshu, offering an immersive experience of historical castle design.
The preservation of such a complex structure is extraordinary, making it a highlight for any visitor.
Within the Main Keep area, a designated route guides visitors from corner turrets through smaller towers, culminating at the central Tenshu. Each structure offers unique insights into the castle’s architectural brilliance and defensive strategies.
The journey begins at the corner turrets and connecting corridors, featuring exhibits on Kato Yoshiaki, the castle’s founder, alongside displays of armor, weaponry, and construction models. This section provides foundational knowledge of the castle’s origins and historical context.
The architecture itself captivates with thick beams, steep staircases, and earthen walls, reflecting Edo-period construction techniques and immersing visitors in the castle’s ambiance.
Proceeding through the corner turrets and corridors leads to the small tower, adjacent to the main Tenshu. Though modest in exhibits, its second-floor observation area offers expansive views of the Ninomaru Historical Garden, the Sannomaru area, and Matsuyama City.
This vantage point also provides a clear perspective of the multi-tower layout and the main Tenshu, highlighting the castle’s defensive design and aesthetic harmony.
The final destination is the main Tenshu. Its first and second floors are unadorned, showcasing the wooden framework and exuding a solemn dignity.
Ascending to the top floor unveils a breathtaking panorama of Matsuyama City and the Seto Inland Sea. This climactic viewpoint rewards visitors with a sense of accomplishment and awe.
Matsuyama Castle’s keeps incorporate practical defensive features. “Sama,” or arrow slits in the walls, vary in shape—circular, triangular—each serving specific tactical purposes.
Protruding structures known as “ishi-otoshi” allowed defenders to drop stones on enemies attempting to scale the walls. These authentic features underscore the castle’s role as a genuine fortress.
The multi-tower configuration, with its intricate network of turrets and corridors, was designed to confuse invaders and strengthen defensive lines.
The castle’s commanding presence is a major attraction. Its expansive silhouette, centered around the main Tenshu, exudes a unique gravitas unmatched by other surviving castles.
The contrast between white plaster walls and black tiles, along with elegantly curved roofs featuring “chidori-hafu” and “karahafu” gables, adds to its visual appeal. The stone walls’ angles and curves contribute to the castle’s artistic essence.
These decorative elements exemplify “functional beauty,” harmonizing defense capabilities with aesthetic considerations.
The interplay of white plaster and black tiles, gently sloping roofs, and gracefully curved stone walls create picturesque scenes ideal for photography.
Construction of Matsuyama Castle commenced in 1602 under Kato Yoshiaki, appointed as the first lord of Iyo-Matsuyama Domain following his achievements at the Battle of Sekigahara. Strategically built atop Katsuyama Hill, the castle leveraged the surrounding sea and mountainous terrain for defense.
Yoshiaki emphasized a robust design incorporating the latest fortification techniques, resulting in a fortress that served as the domain’s administrative center throughout the peaceful Edo period.
After Yoshiaki’s transfer, the Gamo and later the Matsudaira (Hisamatsu) clans assumed control, maintaining and restoring the castle structures. The Matsudaira clan governed until the Meiji Restoration, playing a significant role in preserving the castle’s legacy.
Matsuyama Castle evolved beyond a military stronghold, becoming a hub for political and cultural activities. Its enduring history enhances its value in contemporary times.
Kato Yoshiaki, originally a naval commander, was well-versed in defensive tactics. This background influenced the castle’s sturdy hilltop construction, multi-layered defense via the multi-tower design, and carefully calculated curves and elevations of its stone walls.
Additionally, the grand appearance of the interconnected keeps was a visual declaration of loyalty to the Tokugawa Shogunate, serving both as a deterrent and a display of authority within the domain.
| Construction begins under Kato Yoshiaki | |
| Kato Yoshiaki is transferred to Aizu; Gamo Tadatomo becomes lord | |
| Matsudaira (Hisamatsu) Sadayuki takes over, ruling until the Meiji Restoration | |
| Partial destruction by fire; reconstruction follows | |
| Castle is abolished under the Castle Abolition Act, but some buildings are preserved | |
| The castle’s keeps are designated as Important Cultural Properties | |
| Castle suffers minor damage during air raids | |
| Ongoing restoration and preservation efforts continue to the present |
To fully appreciate Matsuyama Castle, consider adjusting your walking pace to observe not just the displays, but also architectural details like the steep staircases. These features reflect defensive strategies that remain intact today—a unique privilege of visiting an original castle.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult | ¥520 |
| Child (Elementary Student) | ¥160 |
| Category | Round - trip | One - way |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | ¥520 | ¥270 |
| Child | ¥260 | ¥140 |
The interconnected keeps of Matsuyama Castle’s Main Keep form a “multi-tower structure” you can actually walk through—this is what makes visiting so special. As one of the twelve original castles, its rarity is undeniable. But even more valuable is how its three-dimensional layout reveals historical strategies and design choices as you explore on foot.
With its impressive exterior, serene interiors, and breathtaking views from the top floor, Matsuyama Castle offers something for everyone—history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and scenery seekers alike.
Stand atop the main Tenshu and take in the panoramic view of Matsuyama City with your own eyes. This is more than just a historic structure—it’s a testament to the wisdom, artistry, and strategic brilliance of the samurai era.
Among the twelve surviving original castles, Matsuyama stands out with its unique vertical layout that can only be fully appreciated by walking through it. Whether you’re fascinated by history, captivated by architecture, or simply seeking stunning vistas, Matsuyama Castle is a must-visit.
Experience the magic of Matsuyama Castle with all your senses.
