Matsumoto Castle

From Jcastle.info

This was the first large castle and first original extant castle I ever visited. I was so impressed it sparked my future interest in castles.

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History

Next to Himeji-jo, Matsumoto-jo is the next best extant castle main keep in Japan. Built by Ishikawa Kazumasa and his son Yasunaga in 1590, Matsumoto-jo is designated a National Treasure. After Hideyoshi took Odawara he stationed Ishikawa Kazumasa in Matsumoto to govern his eastern provinces. The history of Matsumoto-jo actually begins with a castle called Fukashi-jo which was built by Shimadachi Sadanaga in 1504. That castle was attacked and captured by Takeda Shingen in 1550.


Field Notes

This was the first large castle and first original extant castle I ever visited. I was so impressed it sparked my future interest in castles.


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Gallery
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Castle Profile
English Name Matsumoto Castle
Japanese Name 松本城
Alternate Names Fukashijō (深志城)
Founder Ishikawa Kazumasa
Year Founded 1590
Castle Type Flatland
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 stories
Artifacts tenshu, Inui Kotenshu, Watariyagura, Tsukimi Yagura, Tatsumi Tsukiyagura
Features main keep, gates, turrets, samurai homes, water moats, stone walls, walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access Matsumoto Station, 15 minute walk
Hours Open 8:30am-5:00pm; 700 yen; Closed Dec.29-31
Time Required 120 mins
URL Castle Website
Location Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36.23864, 137.96892
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 1999
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 1992, 2002, 2009, 2015
Admin Visits August 1992; May 13, 2002; April 11, 2009; Oct 30, 2015
Friends of JCastle
Kojodan - Matsumoto-jo
Shirobito - Matsumoto-jo
Shirofan - Matsumoto-jo
Ken's Castle Storage - Matsumoto Castle
Malcolm Fairman Photography - Matsumoto Castle
4.79
(58 votes)
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