Matsue Castle
at SHIMANE MATSUE
Year of construction: 1611
Master of the castle: Yoshiharu Horio
Notable points: The castle tower is a national treasure.
Matsue Castle is one of the 12 existing castle towers, the second largest in Japan in terms of floor area and the third tallest in terms of height. It has four stories, five floors, and one basement floor. Most of the castle tower is covered with black painted boards preserved with tannins from Kakishibu persimmon tannin dye and Japanese black Sumi ink.
The best sightseeing routes
Entering through the entrance, known as the "ote," visitors will find a large area , with a sheer 13-meter high stone wall towering in front. The martial past of the castle can be seen through the presence of holes called "sama," where guns and arrows were aimed and shot at the enemy.
After walking up the stone steps to the Ninomaru (second bailey), one comes to the spacious Honmaru (castle keep).
In front of it stands an imposing tower with a huge ornate Shachihoko (mythical ornament) on the roof. The castle tower is supported by a myriad of 96 short pillars instead of a central pillar. The reason for this was due to the shortage of lumber due to the successive construction of castles during the same period, which offers a glimpse into the frenetic construction of defensive structures during this period.
Once on the top five floors, a panoramic view of all directions is revealed. To the south, the Ohashi River and Lake Shinji can be seen beyond the city center.
Highlights
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・Engraving on the stone wall
It is believed that the vassals who built the stone wall engraved it with the mark of the family who ordered the construction.
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・Sama
Holes through which guns and arrows are shot toward the enemy are also found in the castle tower.
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・Prayer cards
The year of construction was determined from the years written on the prayer cards, which were hammered into pillars in the basement.
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・Virtual Reality Experience
Smartphones will display scenes of the castle town at the end of the Edo period (download of an app is required).
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・View of the castle tower over the stone wall
A rare spot where you can view the rising stone walls and the keep at the same time and appreciate how high the stone walls are.
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・Statue of Yoshiharu Horio
After the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Yoshiharu Horio built Matsue Castle and the castle town with his son Tadauji. The statue stands at the entrance of the castle.
Castle town
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・Café Kiharu
Located in the Matsue History Museum east of Matsue Castle, visitors can enjoy Japanese sweets handmade by contemporary master craftsman Tsugio Itami with matcha green tea and a view of the Japanese garden. Matcha and Wagashi (Japanese sweets) set: 890 yen.
Itami says, "I make about 10 kinds of Wagashi according to the season. The use of gold powder is my own special addition," says Itami. -
・Meimeian
This tea house, built in 1779, is located north of Matsue Castle. It is characterized by its unconventional structure that reflects the taste of Matsudaira Harusato, the 7th lord of the Matsue domain. Matcha (powdered green tea) can be enjoyed in the building across from the tea house. Visitors can also try the experience of preparing tea (reservation required).
Admission: 410 yen, Matcha green tea and Wagashi (Japanese sweets): 410 yen -
・Shiomi Nawate
Located north of Matsue Castle, this picturesque street is lined with samurai residences. It has been selected as one of the 100 most remarkable roads in Japan.
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- Additional Note -
・Matsue Historical Guides (Tourist Guides)
Tours of Matsue Castle and the castle town by a guide in the costume of a military commander. 1,000 yen and up (reservation required).
