Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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3,175 within 3 miles
Attractions
244 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,026 reviews
Excellent
1,002
Very good
844
Average
174
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Celyn T
Luzon, Philippines94 contributions
Nov 2021
This is one of the remaining original castles in Japan. Like all other other castles, it also houses a museum inside the castle. However, I advise you to please be careful because visitors are required to take off their shoes inside the castle.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zimminaroundtheworld
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,824 contributions
Nov 2020
The Matsuyama Castle is impressive and well worth visiting. It is one of Japans original castles and probably one of my favorites. You can either walk here or take a lift up, I walked and man it was steep. Once at the top the castle complex is large. I paid to enter the main keep, which was well worth it. This castle actually has some items on display to see like armor and weapons. Once you arrive at the top of the keep you get phenomenal views of the city of Matsuyama. This castle was bigger then I expected, I really enjoyed it and highly recommend everyone to visit.
Written November 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melinda G
Osaka, Japan472 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.
Russell C
Geelong, Australia106 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.
Peter R.
Ulsan, South Korea1,364 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.
BelindaL_17
Singapore97 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.
CyclistSydney
Sydney191 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
We visited the castle by climbing the track on the western side. Afterwards, we walked back down by the Eastern track under the cable car. The castle gave superb city and regional views. After paying the Y510 admission fee we toured the castle building and towers. The descriptive displays were thorough and informative. This is one of the best self guided castle tours we have done in Japan (where it is easy to suffer "castle fatigue").
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
travelmomVancouver
Vancouver199 contributions
Feb 2018
This castle is not the largest nor most impressive one that I have visited in Japan. However, I was able to walk and take photos in a peaceful environment. Other castles were so much more packed with visitors that diminished the enjoyment drastically. The renovations were also impressive. The walk was easy even for the elderly and young children. The cable car was efficient and you have a choice between taking a single chair lift or a cable car with a group. I enjoyed the stroll enormously and was able to immerse into the history and to check on all the details, although I have visited at least 7 or 8 other castles in Japan.
Written February 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KC K
757 contributions
One of the highest spot in town and a perfect place to see sunset and sun dawn. Though a bit touristy but surely one of the 'must visit' places in Matsuyama.
Written March 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Choppies64
Brunswick, Australia76 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Having seen many of Japan's castles in my four trips, this is one of my favourites. It's quite spread out with lots to see and some great views. We enjoyed both the cable car up the hill and the walk back down through the park.
Written January 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hdaya
Paris, France8 contributions
Il est à côté de quelle grande ville
Benjamin F
Isere, France77 contributions
Il est au coeur même de la ville de Matsuyama, la plus grande ville de l'île de Shikoku
Paul O
Honolulu, HI403 contributions
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.
Matsuyama Castle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Matsuyama Castle
- Matsuyama Castle is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- We recommend booking Matsuyama Castle tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Matsuyama Castle tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Matsuyama Castle:
- (0.17 mi) Hotel Taihei
- (0.20 mi) Business Hotel Sun Garden Matsuyama
- (0.31 mi) ANA Crowne Plaza Matsuyama, an IHG hotel
- (0.20 mi) Hotel Vista Matsuyama
- (0.21 mi) Hotel Taihei Bekkan
- Restaurants near Matsuyama Castle:
- (0.04 mi) Jozanso
- (0.12 mi) Roppoan
- (0.16 mi) Ryori Tsuji Ga Hana
- (0.17 mi) Materia Crepe
- (0.20 mi) Aishotei Soseki Cafe
- Attractions near Matsuyama Castle:
- (0.01 mi) Ozu Shiroyama Park
- (0.04 mi) Ichinomon Gate
- (0.05 mi) Matsuyama CastleTenshu
- (0.05 mi) Matsuyama Castle Sannomon Gate
- (0.05 mi) Matsuyama Castle Tonashimon Gate