Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasLookoutsCastles
09:00 - 17:00
Monday
09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 17:00
Thursday
09:00 - 17:00
Friday
09:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 17:00
Sunday
09:00 - 17:00
About
Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan's great mountain castles, proudly standing approximately 132 meters above sea level atop Mt. Katsuyama near the Matsuyama city center. Construction of the castle began in 1602 under the supervision of Kato Yoshiaki and took over 20 years to complete. The castle's main keep, towering at the summit, provides 360-degree panoramic views over Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea. Noteworthy features include the only surviving watchtower-style double turret in Japan and climbing stone walls. Almost all of Matsuyama Castle's grounds have been converted into Shiroyama Park, one of Matsuyama's main urban parks. In the Horinouchi area of Shiroyama Park, which was once the third bailey of Matsuyama Castle and housed the domain's offices and samurai residences, now features a number of open fields. Shiroyama Park has also been recognized as one of Japan's top 100 spots for cherry blossom viewing (1989) and one of Japan's top 100 historical parks (2006).
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • TravelFoodieForLife
    Hyderabad, India11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    a MUST SEE in Matsuyama
    OUTSTANDING CASTLE !! My friend, who has lived in Japan for 40+ years and is a history teacher, said that he thought it was the best castle in Japan. Some nice historical records/objects/artifacts inside (including samurai swords) as well as outstanding views of Matsuyama. Very interesting set of defenses which are well explained!! As we arrived in April... there was also some excellent Sakura action in the grounds outside the castle .. including a nice pink species we had not seen in most other places. It is a (mostly) original castle unlike many others which are rebuilt. You should be careful of the VERY steep stairs if you have mobility issues... but if I could manage them, the most people can. Had some delciious 'Sakura flavored' ice cream from a small cafe outside the castle... there was also 'Mikan' ( a famous local variety of orange) ice cream and a few basic flavors as well. It is an easy walk down so you can just buy a one way ticket uo if you like.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 6 April 2023
  • BestRegards FromFar
    Cape Town Central, South Africa426 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best castle visit of Japan
    If you want to visit one castle during your trip through Japan, let it be this one. The castle is an excellent example of a feudal castle and largely in its original state. The views from the top are unbelievable! The exhibition about samurai armour is interesting as well as the explanations about the defense mechanism of the castle itself. Great great visit!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 May 2023
  • ETflyer
    Fukuoka, Japan39,326 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tower on the mountain
    Every time I came over this castle tower, I admire the effort to construct this huge tower building on the top of mountain without modern logistics technology. My previous visit was during Japanese Golden Week and there was a long queue to the tower entrance. I had to wait in the queue for about 30 mins. This time it was normal weekend. There was no queue. It was yellow sand season. Remote view was in the haze but I enjoyed the city view from the tower top floor.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 24 June 2023
  • GAN L
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia8,776 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Big area
    Bought a round trip cable car ticket for 520yen to get to the castle. The cable car ride takes 3 minutes. One can also opt to take the chair lift ride which takes 6 min. It takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to tour the castle. You can also choose to visit the castle on foot, 20 to 30 minutes. See and admire the castle tower, gates, stone walls and turrets.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 November 2023
  • Martina1888
    Inverness, United Kingdom513 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Matsuyama Castle
    You can access the castle by walking up the hill for about 20min or take the cable car or chair lift. It's one of the 12 original castles and definitely worth your time. Beautiful view all around from the top and there's even a well-made exhibition inside.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 25 November 2023
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4.5
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Joe T
18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Nice castle with minimal add on, in natural state which is what I like. Not a lot of tourists when I went, so was a bonus. From Okaido walk the way up for the cable car or chairlift to the castle. Wanted to try the chairlift but the weather was too cold. Seems the matsuyama area is famous for mikan (oranges). There at many varieties with different sweetness. Do try.

Stayed for 2 nights in late Jan 2024. The hotel located about 4 mins walk from the Hiroshima station.

As I was early, I deposited my luggage to check in later. The hotel has a spacious and comfortable lobby connecting a coffee place. There are free amenities like toothbrush, body towel, tea and coffee bag, cotton bud, etc to take in the lobby area. But for some amenities like hairbrush and shave kit, these are chargable at 100 yen at the reception.

Room was standard compact for my single room. Just enough space for 1. Room comes with 1 usb port and other charging points. Only has 1 pillow. No drinking water provided, you have to purchase it at the vending machine. Wifi was strong and room was well maintained.

Surprised that there is a public bath at the 10th floor. It comes with 2 large bath, 1 indoor and outdoor. Nice to have the outdoor bath in cold weather.

Check out time is10am, which is quite different from others I have stayed which is the usual 12pm.

I do understand the need to be environment friendly, but charging guests for amenities? Was ok for me as I brought my own. But drinking water? At least have a water dispenser in the hotel for guests to take drinking water. Most likely will not be back.

There is a nice hiroshima okonomiyaki place near the hotel at 6F of Full Focus building. There are many stalls on the 6F, all selling okonomiyaki, you can choose your own.

If you are travelling to Matsuyama from Hiroshima, take the tram no. 5 from Hiroshima station to reach the Hiroshima Port Center to take the super jet. Currently there are discount for tourist at 5600 yen one way. You can email and book ahead using the super jet website by using their Japanese webpage to send a query. Somehow the English webpage does not have this option.

Do note that at the Matsuyama port, the iyotetsu limousine bus from the port to the various area is not available. I did not know and purchased the iyotetsu 1 day pass in advance. Though I can still use the pass within Matsuyama but was not worth the cost if the limousine bus is not available. Taxi from Matsuyama port to dogo onsen cost about 3300 yen.
Written 25 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Martina1888
Inverness, UK513 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
You can access the castle by walking up the hill for about 20min or take the cable car or chair lift. It's one of the 12 original castles and definitely worth your time. Beautiful view all around from the top and there's even a well-made exhibition inside.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GAN L
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia8,776 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Bought a round trip cable car ticket for 520yen to get to the castle. The cable car ride takes 3 minutes. One can also opt to take the chair lift ride which takes 6 min. It takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to tour the castle. You can also choose to visit the castle on foot, 20 to 30 minutes. See and admire the castle tower, gates, stone walls and turrets.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ETflyer
Fukuoka, Japan39,326 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Every time I came over this castle tower, I admire the effort to construct this huge tower building on the top of mountain without modern logistics technology. My previous visit was during Japanese Golden Week and there was a long queue to the tower entrance. I had to wait in the queue for about 30 mins. This time it was normal weekend. There was no queue. It was yellow sand season. Remote view was in the haze but I enjoyed the city view from the tower top floor.
Written 24 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BestRegards FromFar
Cape Town Central, South Africa426 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
If you want to visit one castle during your trip through Japan, let it be this one. The castle is an excellent example of a feudal castle and largely in its original state. The views from the top are unbelievable! The exhibition about samurai armour is interesting as well as the explanations about the defense mechanism of the castle itself. Great great visit!
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sudeep912
bangalore402 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Beautifully located this castle can be reached by cable car or by foot. excellent location. it is a treat during spring.
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelFoodieForLife
Hyderabad, India11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
OUTSTANDING CASTLE !! My friend, who has lived in Japan for 40+ years and is a history teacher, said that he thought it was the best castle in Japan. Some nice historical records/objects/artifacts inside (including samurai swords) as well as outstanding views of Matsuyama. Very interesting set of defenses which are well explained!!

As we arrived in April... there was also some excellent Sakura action in the grounds outside the castle .. including a nice pink species we had not seen in most other places.

It is a (mostly) original castle unlike many others which are rebuilt.

You should be careful of the VERY steep stairs if you have mobility issues... but if I could manage them, the most people can.

Had some delciious 'Sakura flavored' ice cream from a small cafe outside the castle... there was also 'Mikan' ( a famous local variety of orange) ice cream and a few basic flavors as well.

It is an easy walk down so you can just buy a one way ticket uo if you like.
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melinda G
Osaka, Japan474 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
We arrived in the late afternoon to see the cherry blossoms and were were not disappointed. We walked up the back way which was a bit of a hike. We didn’t pay to go into the castle because we have been to many others before and they are typically the same inside. You can get some ice cream or refreshments outside. You can go up and down by rope way or chair lift. We went back down by chairlift for ¥270.
Written 31 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Celyn T
Luzon, Philippines94 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
This is one of the remaining original castles in Japan. Like all other other castles, it also houses a museum inside the castle. However, I advise you to please be careful because visitors are required to take off their shoes inside the castle.
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Zimminaroundtheworld
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,911 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
The Matsuyama Castle is impressive and well worth visiting. It is one of Japans original castles and probably one of my favorites. You can either walk here or take a lift up, I walked and man it was steep. Once at the top the castle complex is large. I paid to enter the main keep, which was well worth it. This castle actually has some items on display to see like armor and weapons. Once you arrive at the top of the keep you get phenomenal views of the city of Matsuyama. This castle was bigger then I expected, I really enjoyed it and highly recommend everyone to visit.
Written 10 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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