Matsumoto shiro, A Timeless Fortress Amidst Seasonal Beauty
4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken
4.5
Introduction
Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan's four national treasure castles, built in 1615. It is one of the oldest surviving castles and is known as the "Crow Castle" because of its black exterior. The main keep of the castle is one of the twelve surviving ones in Japan and, along with Himeji Castle, Inuyama Castle, Hikone Castle, and Matsue Castle, it is designated as a national treasure by the Japanese government. The main keep of Matsumoto Castle was built between 1593 and 1592, and it has five floors and six levels. The castle has faced the fate of reconstruction several times, but with the support and protection of the local citizens, it has been preserved for over 400 years. The castle is surrounded by a public park, where cherry blossoms bloom in spring, colorful foliage in autumn, and a thin layer of snow in winter, making it a pleasant sight in all seasons. Address 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken
Opening hours 8:30-17:00 (entrance closes at 16:30), closed from December 29th to January 3rd of the following year.
Transportation Walk for over 20 minutes from JR Matsumoto Station, or take bus 31, 32, or the city loop bus to "Matsumoto Castle / City Hall" and get off. The bus ride takes about 10 minutes.
A very scenic place
