Matsusaka Castle

This castle is a must-see for stone wall fans. All the extant baileys are fortified with stone walls and you can see some unique structures like the Honmaru sekirui and the very well fortified gates. There are no fences or "don't enter" signs atop the stone walls so you can get very close to the edg

History

Gamo Ujisato built Matsusaka Castle in 1588 in a style and structure that closely resembles Azuchi Castle. Ujisato put much effort into developing the castle town. He adopted the Rakuichi-rakuza system (free trade), built/redirected the new Sangu-kaido road leading to Ise, moved in moneylenders from Matsugashima castle, merchants from Hino in Omi, and shipping agents. Later, under Tokugawa Yorinobu, merchants moved to Edo became rich, and were entrusted with the right to print hansatsu, money bills of Kishu-han. City is famous for Matsusaka momen, Ise Oshiroi, Gikaku-shi, nowadays beef.

Comments Did this very rushed returning from Ise. Fortunately it is the kind of ruined castle you can do in a rush - no uphill hiking and very easy to navigate. Ishigaki were imposing and photogenic. The Hyakumeijo stamp is in the nearby Municipal Museum of History and Folklore, which has a brochure about the castle and museum in English. The museum has exhibits about Matsusaka's history as a merchant town. (100 yen entry, 9 - 4 pm).

From the top of the ruins you can see something else that looks like a castle in the town - I have no idea what it is or whether it bears investigating. We didn't have time to see it but Matsusaka also has the birthplace of the Mitsuis, the house of the Hasegawas, the Memorial Museum of Matsusaka Merchants, the Memorial to Motoori Norinaga (Suzu-no-ya), a Cultural Hall and Cultural Property Centre and also Gojoban Yashiki - latter Edo period samurai residences. The station sells Matsusaka beef Ekiben in a singing cow bento box.

Above history and comments by KristyD

Field Notes

This castle is a must-see for stone wall fans. All the extant baileys are fortified with stone walls and you can see some unique structures like the Honmaru sekirui and the very well fortified gates. There are no fences or "don't enter" signs atop the stone walls so you can get very close to the edges. I also recommend you stop by the rice warehouse and samurai homes. You can also explore nearby Tamaru Castle to see 2 great examples of castle ruins with many stone walls.

Some books actually use the typical 坂 character for the 'saka' part of the name, but it actually should be the same as the character in Osaka 阪.

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Gallery

Omotemon entrance
Omotemon Entrance
Tsukimi Yagura foundation
stone wall behind the Omotemon
Outer Ninomaru Wall
stone wall
Stairs leading to the Inner Gate
Path to the Inner Gate
Inner Gate area seen from above
Path to the Inner Gate
Inner Gate (Naka Gomon)
stone wall behind the Omotemon Entrance
Omote Gate seen from above
Stairs to the Honmaru
Stairs to the Honmaru
Inside the Honmaru.
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
stone walls
stone walls
stone walls
Omotemon Gate stone walls
Stone walls
Stone walls
Rear Entrance (Uramon)
rear entrance
Rear entrance
Rear entrance stone walls
Rice warehouse
Castle map
Back side of an apartment
On either side of this road is a longhouse
Inside one apartment
Relocated gate at Tenrinji (ART)
Relocated gate at Raigoji (ART)

Castle Profile
English Name	Matsusaka Castle
Japanese Name	松阪城
Alternate Names	松坂城
Founder	Gamou Ujisatou
Year Founded	1588
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Top 100 Castles, has Important Cultural Properties, Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	samurai homes, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	15 mins walk from station or take bus and stop at Shimin-Byoin mae
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture
Coordinates	34.57589, 136.52579
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2010
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2011
Admin Visits	November 25, 2011

Nearby Samurai Homes

Matsusaka Gojoban Yashiki

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(15 votes)

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