Matsumoto Castle

Information

Matsumoto Castle, which is the oldest castle in Japan, still containing it is original wooden donjons, has 5 layers but 6 floors and is one of four castles designated as a National Treasure in Japan. The othe National Treasure castles are Himeji Castle in Hyogo, Inuyama Casele in Aichi and Hikone Castle in Shiga. It is said that the donjon of Matsumoto Castle was built around 1593 to 1594 by Ishikawa Kazumasa and Ishikawa Yasunaga.
Since it was built in the Sengoku Period (Warring state period), Matsumoto Castle, which is uncommonly built on flatland, was focused more on its armament rather than its comfort as a residence. Historically, it has been highly valued as a castle built during the early stage of modern castle building in Japan.

Opening Hours

8:30 - 17:00 *admission until 30 minutes before closing

Closed

December 29 - January 3

Price / Entrance Fee

Combination ticket with Matsumoto City Museum: 610 yen (General, Adult)
Combination ticket with Matsumoto City Museum: 300 yen (Child)

Access / Public Transport

15 minutes walk from Matsumoto Station on the JR lines or Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi Line

Address / Location

4-1, Marunochi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, 390-0873

Tweets

Visit Matsumoto @visitmatsumoto - 2019-02-24: Matsumoto Castle’s East Side Story: Question: Where can you find a 22-ton stone, the ruins of a fifty-room building… https://t.co/WdWTyLGoTk
Joanne DiBona @JoanneDiBona - 2019-02-23: This winter view on the magnificent Matsumoto Castle is made even more lovely with the backdrop of the Hida Mountai… https://t.co/CFo0tDQqy5
Joanne DiBona @JoanneDiBona - 2019-02-23: This winter view on the magnificent Matsumoto Castle is made even more lovely with the backdrop of the Hida Mountai… https://t.co/GQZKeK5T2h
Japan Journeys @Japan_Journeys - 2019-02-21: Wow!
See Matsumoto Castle with our Essential Japan itinerary 👇 photo: Japan Now
https://t.co/HYZskTnHeI #travel… https://t.co/NoeCfQglO2
Amie Albrecht @nomad_penguin - 2019-02-20: A little Matsumoto Castle maths. https://t.co/5o17rFFOAq
Around Japan @AroundJapan2014 - 2019-02-20: #Matsumoto #Castle in #Nagano Pref! One of the historical castles of #Japan, beautiful all the year round!　→https://t.co/4t9ZRBnun2
Jon Ekberg @joletsi - 2019-02-20: From the onsens of Shinhotaka to the castle of Matsumoto 🍵🚌🏯 @ Matsumoto, Nagano https://t.co/AroepLaLJB
docleslie 🐓 @docleslie - 2019-02-20: Mother Nature had a bit of a nasty rain surprise for us yesterday so skiing was probably going to be painful. But a… https://t.co/3AxPPyuvKp
Rob Clare @RobAClare - 2019-02-19: The Black Castle, the River gorge and the Mountains - Matsumoto to Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, 2nd... https://t.co/k3NSeksnde
cait 🦈 @caitsux - 2019-02-19: I took this photo when I was coming home from Matsumoto after a quick trip to drop a friend at a hospital and to se… https://t.co/MOm2MQuCG5
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-02-18: Amazing Matsumoto Castle is one of the most Complete and Beautiful among Japan's original castles https://t.co/4YB4z0JEZv
buttercupsyrup @BMPS2015 - 2019-02-18: this castle is just one of the 12 orginal japanese castles... I want to visit all someday and I've only been to two… https://t.co/LMjhZn7w9z
Danny Lee Baker @DannyBaker0 - 2019-02-17: @japantravelbug I really enjoyed visiting this castle. The announcer at the train station was also entertaining. Matsumoto Matsumoto 😂
Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop @anaturalstate - 2019-02-17: I love Matsumoto castle. It was my first ever Japanese castle 🏯 https://t.co/HVn6Ft8B0n
マーポードウフ @Mapodoufu88 - 2019-02-17: 📷 Matsumoto-castle Camera:iPhone8 Plus https://t.co/jm2xeI7ag2
Gillian Barfoot @eyegillian - 2019-02-16: A slice of history.
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@markhemmings
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#matsumotocastle #japan🇯🇵 #fujixt2 #fuji_xseries #fujifilm #fujifeed… https://t.co/4uXPDZ4s1F
makoto morita @ok_amirom - 2019-02-16: A swan in the Matsumoto castle pond. Everything is calm in the early morning.

#birdwatching #japan #nature… https://t.co/mrHd1bpCFl
ÆTHERちゃんに踏まれたい石炭 @JON_AHO - 2019-02-16: Matsumoto Castle is so Beautiful!! https://t.co/T2xNxI8kNV
Gillian Barfoot @eyegillian - 2019-02-15: Castle, with swans.
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#japan🇯🇵 #matsumotocastle #fujixt2 #fuji_xseries #fujifilm #fujifeed #myfujifilm… https://t.co/iqdykRxXzh
Mekhala Living @MekhalaLiving - 2019-02-15: Our travelling Green Curry enjoys a moment of reflection at #MatsumotoCastle.🤔 Fun fact: Matsumoto Castle is also k… https://t.co/LeCdDzI5mU
Luna_Intnl @Luna_Intnl - 2019-02-14: Sculptures around the Castle https://t.co/7edIbhgvM1 #matsumoto #camera #crowds #freezing #icesculpture
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-02-14: Matsumoto - Black Crow - Castle in Japan https://t.co/hUYpXI4cwW
Chopsticks on the Loose @chopsticksotl - 2019-02-13: We all know of Osaka Castle, Himeji Castle, Hiroshima Castle, Matsumoto Castle... But have you heard of Odawara Cas… https://t.co/PoN6lBB4VY
Kids and Compass @kidsandcompass - 2019-02-13: @Karla_Travels @lafamilytravel @Visit_Japan We loved Matsumoto castle as well. So much to see in Japan - must plan the next trip!
Peter Sandham @HKSandham - 2019-02-13: Writing free rest day today, instead a trip around Matsumoto Castle, the oldest in Japan. Built in the late 16th ce… https://t.co/w9fz06zFVs
Suzanne Lepage @SuzanneLepage1 - 2019-02-13: Good night all friends living in Asia 🌏💖
Matsumoto Castle, Nagano, Japan 🇯🇵 https://t.co/1QqscZMLQH
Damon Coulter @damoncoulter - 2019-02-12: Just sold an image of Matsumoto Castle via a stock site. Not this one but I like this one more. Was such an amazing… https://t.co/8jKOes1aAA
JapanHaul @japanhaul - 2019-02-11: If it's not yet on your list of castles to visit in Japan, you better include Matsumoto Castle! 🏯
It is one of Japa… https://t.co/tfLHpkNLAB
Truth_about_Japan @Unknown__Japan - 2019-02-11: #Matsumoto #Castle Lighted Up in #Nagano.
National #Treasure. Famous for beautiful contrast black and white.
Know… https://t.co/UFgGl1ya40
Kristen Abroad | Travel blogger @kristenabroad - 2019-02-10: If you've been following along with my Matsumoto Castle pics, you may recall that I said Matsumoto is the most pret… https://t.co/rSrQUJuuwo
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-02-10: Cherry blossoms in Japan | Matsumoto Castle in spring https://t.co/gwpVbP79JI