Matsumae Castle, Matsumae, Japan

Matsumae Castle is a castle located in Matsumae in Hokkaidō, Japan, and is the northernmost castle in Japan. The only traditional style Edo period castle in Hokkaidō, it was the chief residence of the han (estate) of the Matsumae clan.

First built in 1606 by Matsumae Yoshihiro under orders from the Tokugawa shogunate, which required his clan to defend the area, and by extension the whole of Japan, from the Ainu 'barbarians' to the north. It burned down in 1637 but was rebuilt in 1639. It once controlled all passage through Hokkaidō to the rest of Japan.

The present castle complex, which dates from 1854, was constructed to deter attacks by foreign naval forces. Only the 30-metre-high tenshu (main tower) and a gatehouse survived destruction following the Meiji Restoration, which began in 1868. However, the tenshu burned down in 1949 and a concrete replica was built in 1960.

Today, all of the castle site is now a public park. Approximately 8,000 cherry trees are planted in Matsumae Park, which is approximately 150,000 m2 around the site of Matsumae Castle. More than 200,000 people visit the Matsumae Sakura Festival every spring to see cherry blossoms.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Matsumae, Japan

See all sites in Matsumae

Details

Founded: 1606
Category: Castles and fortifications in Japan

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
hokkaidoguide.com

Rating

4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Katsuyama Date (41,3 km)
Tate Castle Ruins (53,7 km)

User Reviews

Neil - The Backpack Adventures (11 months ago)
This is the only “real” castle of Hokkaido. Although smaller than the castles in Honshu, Matsumae Castle is famous for its sakura blossoms during spring. Heads up though, expect a huge crowd during the said season. Don’t forget to wear sunblock too.

Maksim Itagaki (2 years ago)
The only castle remained in Hokkaido. Love it for a calm and relaxed atmosphere regardless of season. Here is no crowds of visitors comparing with other popular tourist locations.

peter simpson (4 years ago)
I was lucky enough to have lived in Matsumae for five months this winter (2020) Every day I walked the grounds of the castle and it never got old. Matsumae Castle is considered to be the last of the traditional Japanese castles and with 250 types of 10,000 Sakura, it would be crazy not to visit. I will be returning this spring to see the cherry blossoms.

Abii Muru (4 years ago)
Was there during autumn. The changing of the autumn leaves was beautiful but I bet in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom it would’ve been even better. If you’re visiting during the cherry blossom season, do check out the cherry blossom park, it has more than 10 species of cherry blossoms ? the selling point for me was the scenic environment, the museum was just so so.

La Madame NomNom (4 years ago)
It's so beautiful when the sakura bloomed! The castle as the main focus with the flowers as backdrop.. picture perfect??

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Matsumae Castle