Matsuyama castle

Ehime

Castles & Historic Sites

Cultural Immersion & Activities

# Castle

# Scenic View

# Important Cultural Property

# Original Castle Keep

The main keep and connected turrets of Matsuyama Castle, with white walls and dark roofs, standing on a large stone wall.

A close-up, low-angle view of the fortified walls and connected defensive structures (yagura) of Matsuyama Castle, built from massive stone blocks under a bright blue sky.

The towering, sloped stone wall (ishigaki) of Matsuyama Castle, showing the impressive height and craftsmanship of the Edo period construction.

A long-distance view of the Matsuyama Castle complex, showing the connected keeps and structures built atop high stone walls, surrounded by park grounds.

Key Points

One of twelve surviving Edo period castle keeps
Famous for its rare climbing stone walls (nobori-ishigaki)
Distant views of Matsuyama Plain (Ehime Prefecture) and the Seto Inland Sea

Located on Mount Katsuyama in central Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama Castle is a remarkable Edo period stronghold. Construction began in 1602 under a feudal lord, but the castle took nearly 25 years to complete. Its strategic design features multiple baileys and winding approaches, including rare climbing stone walls (nobori-ishigaki), a defensive technique adapted from Japanese castles (wajo) built on the Korean Peninsula during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s invasions of the Korean Peninsula (late 16th century).
The current three-story keep, rebuilt in 1854 after lightning destroyed the earlier tower, is one of only twelve Edo era castle keeps still standing. Inside, visitors can view displays of swords, armor, and other artifacts, while outside, the top floor offers sweeping views across the Matsuyama Plain and Seto Inland Sea.
Designated a National Historic Site with 21 buildings listed as Important Cultural Properties, the castle grounds and surrounding Shiroyama Park are also beloved for beautiful flowers bloom throughout the seasons and city nightscapes year-round. In the castle, you can explore exhibitions and even enjoy AR/VR experiences that bring the castle’s siege battles to life via a dedicated app.

Information

Spot information including address, access, and website
Address	1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama City, Ehime
Access from Tokyo	(1) From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Nozomi to Okayama Station (approx. 3 hr 11 min). (2) At Okayama Station, transfer to the Yosan Line-Limited Express Shiokaze to Matsuyama Station (approx. 2 hr 39 min). (3) From Matsuyama Station, walk to JR-Matsuyamaekimae Station (approx. 4 minutes). (4) From JR-Matsuyamaekimae Station, take the Iyo Tetsudo Kanjo Line Local to Komachi Station (approx. 5 min). (5) From Komachi Station, walk to the Matsuyama Castle (approx. 10 minutes). Show route from Tokyo Station
Website	https://www.matsuyamajo.jp/en/
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