- Matsumoto Castle Keep Highlights: 10 Must-See Attractions Inside the National Treasure
- Explore 10 must-see highlights inside Matsumoto Castle Keep—from steep stairways and a hidden floor to historic matchlock guns and sweeping views from the top.
A Fortress Hidden in Beauty: Firsthand Report from Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan’s twelve surviving original keeps, built in the late Sengoku period and known as the oldest five-story, six-floor keep still standing. Designated a National Treasure, its striking black-and-white contrast and imposing form continue to captivate visitors.
This article is based on my personal experience exploring the castle’s interior. I’ll share the atmosphere and impressions I felt while inside, alongside photos and details of exhibits. I hope this gives you a sense of Matsumoto Castle’s unique charm, which can only be understood by walking through it yourself.
For highlights of Matsumoto Castle’s keep, see the article below:
Read more about Highlights of Matsumoto Castle Keep
Entering Matsumoto Castle Keep
Now, let’s step inside the keep.
Shoes must be removed before entering. At the entrance, you’ll receive a bag to carry your shoes as you move through the castle.
Slippers are not provided. If you dislike walking on hard wooden floors or want to avoid cold feet in winter, thick socks or layered socks are recommended.
If you bring indoor footwear, avoid slippers or footwear that slips off easily, as the steep and crowded stairs make them dangerous. Should they come off, they could fall on people below. Instead, choose soft-soled shoes with heels that won’t slip off.
Immediately upon entering, you’ll see the interior of the Inui Small Keep.
From here begins a small time-travel journey through the castle’s interior. What lies ahead? With anticipation and a bit of tension, you step toward the first floor.
First Floor: Defensive Stronghold with Musha-bashiri and Stone Drop Windows
The first sight inside is a grid of neatly arranged pillars.
These pillars, spaced about 2 meters apart, support the keep’s immense weight. Layout traces suggest the floor was divided into rooms with a central corridor, likely serving as a storage area for food and ammunition.
Running along the outer corridor is the musha-bashiri, a narrow passage used by soldiers to move quickly during defense.
From the stone-drop windows along the walls, you can peer straight down. Arrow slits and gunports offer a view for firing at attackers. These preserved defense mechanisms let you experience the “real sense of battle” unique to surviving keeps.
Second Floor: Displays of Rare Firearms and Armor
Climbing to the second floor, the space transforms into a museum-like gallery. Here, actual firearms and armor used during the Sengoku period are displayed, bringing to life the warriors who once defended the castle.
Most firearms are matchlocks, varying in caliber and design, reflecting the evolution of weaponry in that era.
Armor is also showcased, conveying the intensity of real battle.
The chance to see these historic artifacts while standing in the space where warriors once stood is the true appeal of the second floor.
Third Floor: The Hidden Floor of Darkness, Kurayamishige
The third floor, called Kurayamishige, is a hidden floor invisible from outside. With no windows, it is dark even at midday, shrouded in silence and tension.
It may have been used to conceal soldiers or as a defensive surprise. There are no exhibits here—only darkness and the scent of wood.
Walking through this lightless space feels like stepping into the Sengoku period itself, an eerie experience unique to this keep.
Fourth Floor: Lord’s Chamber and the Steepest Staircase to the Fifth
From the dark third floor, the fourth floor opens up with brightness and spaciousness. A high ceiling and fewer pillars create a distinct sense of openness.
Planed beams and finished walls suggest it was a living space. With curtains or screens, the floor could be divided into two rooms, and it was likely the lord’s chamber in times of need.
The staircase to the fifth floor is the steepest in Matsumoto Castle—about 40 cm high per step. Simply looking up is intimidating. Climbing these stairs, built during the Sengoku era, is an experience unique to Matsumoto Castle.
The stairs are narrow, and with people ascending and descending, follow staff instructions carefully.
Fifth Floor: Warrior Windows and Strategy Chamber
From the bright fourth floor, the mood shifts again. The fifth floor has warrior windows on all four sides, allowing a panoramic view of the surroundings.
This floor was likely where senior retainers gathered during emergencies to plan strategies. Standing in this sunlit yet solemn space makes it easy to imagine the tension of wartime.
There are no displays—just wooden beams and windows. This silence itself reminds visitors that the castle was built as a fortress.
Sixth Floor: The Top Floor with Panoramic Views of the Northern Alps
The sixth floor is the highest level. From its windows, you can see Matsumoto’s castle town and the distant Northern Alps. On clear days, the mountain range is vividly visible, merging the grandeur of nature with this centuries-old fortress.
Unlike other castles, Matsumoto Castle does not have a balcony-like outer corridor at the top floor. The views are only from its windows, reflecting a practical design unique to surviving keeps.
As you gaze out, it’s easy to imagine the castle lord once seated here, overlooking the castle town with commanding presence.
Tatsumi Turret: Architectural Transition and Rare Exhibits
Descending from the sixth floor, you can enter the Tatsumi Turret.
Here you’ll find displays such as soldiers’ helmets (zōhyōgasa) and early telescopes.
Unlike the Sengoku-era keep, the Tatsumi Turret was an Edo-period addition. It has no stone-drop defenses, reflecting the peace of the Edo era, when functionality shifted from warfare to convenience.
Even window designs reflect the change of eras. The Tatsumi Turret features elegant katōmado windows seen in temple architecture, emphasizing beauty and prestige over practicality—true to the Edo spirit. The contrast between the war-focused keep and the peaceful turret illustrates Matsumoto Castle’s transition across centuries.
From here, the path leads to the Moon-Viewing Turret.
Moon-Viewing Turret: A Pavilion for Peaceful Nights
After passing through the Tatsumi Turret, you’ll reach the graceful Moon-Viewing Turret.
Built in 1633 by Lord Matsudaira Naomasa to welcome Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, the Moon-Viewing Turret remains a symbol of the peaceful Edo period. Though Iemitsu never came, the turret stands as a legacy of that era.
Three sides—north, east, and south—could be opened by removing sliding doors, creating a breezy, open atmosphere. With its vermilion railings and boat-shaped ceiling, the turret was used for moon-gazing and banquets, far from the wartime role of the keep.
Among Japan’s castles, only Matsumoto and Okayama still preserve moon-viewing turrets. Matsumoto is the only one where it is directly connected to the keep, making it a rare and must-see feature.
From Sengoku to Edo, and to Today: End of the Tour
From the Moon-Viewing Turret, the stairs lead you outside. This concludes the tour of the keep.
The shoe bag you received at the entrance should be returned at the collection box near the exit.
Matsumoto Castle Keep: 500 Years of History
The six-story keep and its two turrets take about 45 minutes to explore.
Though famous for its exterior beauty, walking inside reveals the ingenious defenses and architectural innovations designed centuries ago. Steep staircases, pitch-black hidden floors, displays of armor and matchlock guns, and breathtaking views of the Northern Alps—each experience is unique to an original surviving keep.
The Edo-era Tatsumi and Moon-Viewing Turrets add elegance, reflecting the castle’s shift from fortress to cultural hub.
Nearly 500 years since its construction, Matsumoto Castle keep remains a precious witness of Japanese castle architecture. Be sure to visit and experience its timeless presence.
