Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasLookoutsCastles
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan's great mountain castles, proudly standing approximately 132 meters above sea level atop Mt. Katsuyama near the Matsuyama city center. Construction of the castle began in 1602 under the supervision of Kato Yoshiaki and took over 20 years to complete. The castle's main keep, towering at the summit, provides 360-degree panoramic views over Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea. Noteworthy features include the only surviving watchtower-style double turret in Japan and climbing stone walls. Almost all of Matsuyama Castle's grounds have been converted into Shiroyama Park, one of Matsuyama's main urban parks. In the Horinouchi area of Shiroyama Park, which was once the third bailey of Matsuyama Castle and housed the domain's offices and samurai residences, now features a number of open fields. Shiroyama Park has also been recognized as one of Japan's top 100 spots for cherry blossom viewing (1989) and one of Japan's top 100 historical parks (2006).
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
2,040 reviews
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847
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Russell C
Geelong, Australia120 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
This was one of the reasons I chose to stay in Matsuyama and it was a good choice. The castle is perched high on a hill overlooking the city with views out to the Seto Sea. The views alone are worth the visit. The castle is magnificent with a wealth of artifacts and information on display. Try some mandarin juiciest the gates before making the climb or you can take the chairlift - ropeline - to the top. However, I recommend walking at least one leg of the visit to see the various baileys and gates that encircle the main tower building.
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelFoodieForLife
Hyderabad, India10 contributions
Apr 2023
OUTSTANDING CASTLE !! My friend, who has lived in Japan for 40+ years and is a history teacher, said that he thought it was the best castle in Japan. Some nice historical records/objects/artifacts inside (including samurai swords) as well as outstanding views of Matsuyama. Very interesting set of defenses which are well explained!!
As we arrived in April... there was also some excellent Sakura action in the grounds outside the castle .. including a nice pink species we had not seen in most other places.
It is a (mostly) original castle unlike many others which are rebuilt.
You should be careful of the VERY steep stairs if you have mobility issues... but if I could manage them, the most people can.
Had some delciious 'Sakura flavored' ice cream from a small cafe outside the castle... there was also 'Mikan' ( a famous local variety of orange) ice cream and a few basic flavors as well.
It is an easy walk down so you can just buy a one way ticket uo if you like.
As we arrived in April... there was also some excellent Sakura action in the grounds outside the castle .. including a nice pink species we had not seen in most other places.
It is a (mostly) original castle unlike many others which are rebuilt.
You should be careful of the VERY steep stairs if you have mobility issues... but if I could manage them, the most people can.
Had some delciious 'Sakura flavored' ice cream from a small cafe outside the castle... there was also 'Mikan' ( a famous local variety of orange) ice cream and a few basic flavors as well.
It is an easy walk down so you can just buy a one way ticket uo if you like.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
コロッケ俱楽部
9 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Matsuyama Castle, with its connected castle tower, can be seen from various places in Matsuyama City. When we went up on the new ropeway, its grandeur was right in front of us. There was a lot to see, including the castle tower, numerous stone walls, various gates, and other important cultural properties and registered tangible cultural properties. The volunteer guide also gave us information about the castle and Matsuyama that was not in the pamphlet.
Written March 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
v35p_trip
Sapporo, Japan19,824 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
This is a castle built by Kato Yoshiaki in Matsuyama.
You can get there by ropeway or lift. You can also walk, but you'll have to climb a fairly steep slope.
After getting off the ropeway and climbing further, you'll see a watchtower on top of the magnificent stone walls.
After passing through many gates, you'll arrive at the flat area of the main citadel.
There is a teahouse here, and you can look down on Matsuyama city. The plum blossoms are starting to bloom, which makes you feel great.
I've been to other castles, but this one is spacious, has a lot to see, and I thought it was great to be able to stroll around at your own pace.
You can get there by ropeway or lift. You can also walk, but you'll have to climb a fairly steep slope.
After getting off the ropeway and climbing further, you'll see a watchtower on top of the magnificent stone walls.
After passing through many gates, you'll arrive at the flat area of the main citadel.
There is a teahouse here, and you can look down on Matsuyama city. The plum blossoms are starting to bloom, which makes you feel great.
I've been to other castles, but this one is spacious, has a lot to see, and I thought it was great to be able to stroll around at your own pace.
Written January 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
よしめ
Chiba, Japan38,656 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
We went to the castle tower on a tour. We took a 3-minute ropeway to the 8th station, and a 6-minute lift to the return, then walked for just over 10 minutes. Matsuyama Castle is a flatland castle built on top of Mt. Katsuyama, 132 meters above sea level, by the first feudal lord, Kato Yoshiaki, over a quarter century from 1602. It is one of the 12 remaining castle towers in Japan. It is famous as an impregnable castle with excellent defenses. The fan-shaped sloping stone walls are beautiful.
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R.
Ulsan, South Korea1,421 contributions
Apr 2019
Having visited a number of provincial castles in Japan, Matsuyama immediately shot to the top of my list of the most impressive. Viewed from a distance, its' elevated position makes it very photogenic whether viewed in the daytime with the multicoloured foliage in the foreground or floodlit at night. Even close-up, it is equally impressive, and walking up to the Main Bailey there are numerous informative signboards explaining the many gates, turrets and other defensive fortifications.
There's not many castles with the novelty of a Ropeway (at least part of the way up) and it's worth the hike to the main castle enclosure itself, if not for the expansive views of Matsuyama ,but for the delicious speciality flavour ice cream (vanilla ice cream topped with Matsuyama orange marmalade!).
Elected to descend from the castle using the footpath on the other side of the hill down to Shiroyama Park, which proved to be tougher than envisaged; not only is it steep and rough with lots of steps, but the distance is deceptive as it endlessly zig-zags back and forth.
Most Impressive ... and enjoyable!
There's not many castles with the novelty of a Ropeway (at least part of the way up) and it's worth the hike to the main castle enclosure itself, if not for the expansive views of Matsuyama ,but for the delicious speciality flavour ice cream (vanilla ice cream topped with Matsuyama orange marmalade!).
Elected to descend from the castle using the footpath on the other side of the hill down to Shiroyama Park, which proved to be tougher than envisaged; not only is it steep and rough with lots of steps, but the distance is deceptive as it endlessly zig-zags back and forth.
Most Impressive ... and enjoyable!
Written March 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YacchanAmarone
Bangkok, Thailand41,094 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We took the lift up to the castle park and entered Matsuyama Castle. Inside the castle, there were explanations and displays about the castle lord, the castle's rooms and mechanisms, and the armor and weapons. The castle was spacious and well worth seeing. The castle tower itself was spacious, and the wooden floor was like a kendo hall. From the tower on top of a high mountain, we could see far into the distance, which was refreshing. I thought Matsuyama Castle had a lot to see, even compared to other famous castles.
Written October 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melinda G
Osaka, Japan507 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
We arrived in the late afternoon to see the cherry blossoms and were were not disappointed. We walked up the back way which was a bit of a hike. We didn’t pay to go into the castle because we have been to many others before and they are typically the same inside. You can get some ice cream or refreshments outside. You can go up and down by rope way or chair lift. We went back down by chairlift for ¥270.
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BelindaL_17
Singapore77 contributions
Feb 2020
One of the more beautiful and complete castle in Japan. We took the chairlift up and the ropeway down the castle, and it was 520 yen for a round trip. There's quite a walk from the rope way to the castle entrance, and you have to be there by 4.30pm for last entry. The castle is very well maintained and very impressive. The stairs within the castle is quite steep and narrow, so do be careful if you have difficulty with stairs. It would be most spectacular during sakura season.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BestRegards FromFar
Cape Town Central, South Africa674 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
If you want to visit one castle during your trip through Japan, let it be this one. The castle is an excellent example of a feudal castle and largely in its original state. The views from the top are unbelievable! The exhibition about samurai armour is interesting as well as the explanations about the defense mechanism of the castle itself. Great great visit!
Written May 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Il est au coeur même de la ville de Matsuyama, la plus grande ville de l'île de Shikoku
Written February 26, 2017
I have noticed an increase in the amount of Korean and Chinese visitors travellers to Japan. Money talks.so I'm sure that more services will be provided in teaponse.
Written May 8, 2016
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