Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle is one of four Japanese Castles that is classified as a National Treasure. Matsumoto Castle is also known as Crow Castle because of its distinctive black exterior. Matsumoto Castle is located in Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture. Matsumoto Castle is famous for being only one of four Japanese Castles which are National Treasures. The others are Himeji, Hikone and Inuyama Castles. Matsumoto Castle, also known as “Crow Castle” because of its black exterior, is a flat land style castle which relies heavily on walls, moats and gatehouses for its defence. Matsumoto Castle started life in 1504 when a fort, referred to as Fukashi Castle, was built on its current site. In 1550 this fort came under the control of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1590 Ishikawa Norimasa and his son Yasunaga ordered the redevelopment of the site. This involved the construction of everything that makes up today’s Matsumoto Castle, plus the outer moat and wall which was filled in later for housing. These significant works were completed around 1594, resulting in a castle with a stone base and walls along with a wooden donjon. Opening hours: 8:30am – 5pm, 7 days a week (Closed Dec 29 to Jan 3) Admission: 600 yen | | |