Matsue Castle

Matsue was a great castle to visit and well exceeded my expectations. They are trying to get it registered as a National Treasure and I agree. The main keep is bigger than I expected and in great condition. It's a marvelous example of the borogata style main keep. The pictures don't do it justice bu

History

Horio Yoshiharu was awarded the lands around Izumo for his participation in the Battle of Sekigahara. After 3 generations of Horio rule and one of Kyogoku, the castle was passed to one of Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandson's Matsudaira Naomasa. The Matsudaira ruled for 234 years until the castle was dismantled during the Meiji Period. Fortunately, the main main keep you see above was saved.

Field Notes

Matsue was a great castle to visit and well exceeded my expectations. They are trying to get it registered as a National Treasure and I agree. The main keep is bigger than I expected and in great condition. It's a marvelous example of the borogata style main keep. The pictures don't do it justice but besides the main keep the grounds are quite extensive with many stone walls and moats. It is unfortunate that there aren't more buildings, but they are gathering information and funds to rebuild the Otemon Gate which would be an awesome addition to this already great site. Just outside the moat on the North side of the castle is the residence of Lafcadio Hearn and an old samurai home that are also worth visiting if you have time. I did not think the boat tour around the outer moat was worth the time. The low roof of the boat makes it hard to see much or take pictures.

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Gallery

main keep
main keep
main keep
2 yagura reflected in the moat
Yagura and moat
2 yagura and stone walls
stone walls and bailey
Inside the Taiko Yagura
Inside the Upper Ninomaru
Minami Yagura and Ichinomon Gate
inside the main keep
Main keep, fourth floor.
top floor of the main keep
View form the main keep
Inui Yagura foundation
stone walls of the Mizunote Gate.
Kitasomon Bridge
boat landing
Inari Bridge
Chidori Bridge
map
Home and part of the garden
Nagayamon gatehouse

Castle Profile
English Name	Matsue Castle
Japanese Name	松江城
Alternate Names	chidori-jo
Founder	Horio Yoshiharu
Year Founded	1611
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Original main keep
Designations	Top 100 Castles, has National Treasures, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	5 levels, 6 floors
Artifacts	tenshu
Features	main keep, gates, turrets, samurai homes, water moats, stone walls, walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access	Matsue Station (San'in line); Lakeline Bus 10 min.
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Coordinates	35.47522, 133.04985
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2004
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2010
Admin Visits	November 19, 2010
Friends of JCastle
Malcolm Fairman Photography - Matsue Castle

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Matsue Buke Yashiki

4.72

(36 votes)

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