Name: Matsue Castle
Address: 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane 690-0887, Japan
Telephone: 0852-21-4030
Rating: 4.3

Five tiered castle built by Horio Yoshiharu & one of Japan's few remaining original feudal castles.

Izumo Taisha

Tabi Bito

Provided by Google

sho oha

川畑俊治

レストれすと

カズミ

Matsue Castle is one of only twelve original castles remaining in Japan, meaning its main keep has survived since the Edo period.

Original Remaining

Matsue Castle is also known as the 'Black Castle' or 'Plover Castle' due to its dark exterior and the plover bird emblem.

Nickname

Construction of Matsue Castle began in 1607 and was completed in 1635, taking approximately 28 years.

Construction Years

Visitors can take a relaxing boat tour around the castle's moat, offering a unique perspective of the castle and its surroundings.

Boat Tours

Matsue Castle is the fifth largest castle in Japan.

Largest

Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle, also known as the "Plover Castle" or Chidori-jo, distinguishes itself through its unique black-painted exterior, a feature uncommon among Japanese castles and earning it the nickname "black castle." Unlike many castles rebuilt in concrete after the Meiji Restoration, Matsue Castle retains its original wooden structure, making it one of only twelve remaining original castles in Japan. Its construction, initiated by Horio Yoshiharu, faced delays due to his transfer, ultimately completed under the Kyogoku clan. A fascinating, often overlooked aspect is the legend of a human sacrifice, believed to appease the gods during the castle's construction, leading to the enshrined spirit of a young woman within the castle grounds. The castle's well, rumored to connect to the sea, adds another layer of mystique. The castle's keep offers panoramic views of Matsue, Lake Shinji, and the surrounding landscape, providing a glimpse into the strategic importance of its location.

Introduction

Matsue Castle achieved National Treasure status in 2015, a designation reflecting its exceptional preservation and superior construction techniques from the early Edo period. This recognition underscores its position as one of only twelve original castles remaining in Japan, with its main keep retaining its original wooden structure. The rediscovery of invocation sheets from 1611, hidden for centuries within Matsue Shrine on the castle grounds, played a pivotal role in confirming the castle's age and solidifying its National Treasure designation. These talismans clarified the completion date of the keep, contributing crucial evidence to its historical significance.

The castle's unique architectural features, such as the "through pillars" technique, exemplify the advanced construction methods employed. This technique, which disperses the keep's load by supporting it with alternating pillars passing through every two floors, highlights the ingenuity used in its construction, especially given the difficulty in acquiring enormous logs at the time. Unlike many rebuilt castles, Matsue Castle offers an authentic glimpse into feudal Japan's military architecture, further enhanced by features like the cellar well, a rare surviving example of its kind. Its designation as a National Treasure acknowledges not only its structural integrity but also its cultural and historical importance to Japan.

National Treasure

The Horikawa River Cruises offer a unique vantage point to experience Matsue Castle, one of Japan's twelve original castles. These cruises navigate the moats and canals that encircle the castle, providing an immersive journey through the castle town's history and scenery. The waterways, largely unchanged for 400 years, offer a rare glimpse into the original defensive design of the castle and the surrounding town.

The 50-minute boat tour, known as the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat or Horikawa Yuransen, covers almost 4km of waterways around the castle. The boats depart frequently from three boarding points around the castle. The cruise allows visitors to view the castle from a distinctive perspective, revealing aspects of its construction and setting that are not visible from the land.

During the cruise, boatmen share stories about the castle's history and the surrounding area. The boats pass by significant landmarks, including the preserved Edo period street Shiomi Nawate. A distinctive feature of the cruise is the lowering of the boat's roof to pass under the 17 bridges along the route. The cruises operate year-round, with seasonal adjustments such as wind chimes in summer and heated blankets in winter. Special nighttime cruises are available during the autumn lantern festival. The Horikawa River Cruises provide an opportunity to appreciate Matsue Castle's historical context and architectural beauty from the unique perspective of its surrounding waterways.

Horikawa River Cruises

Matsue Castle is the centerpiece of Matsue's well-preserved castle town, which prospered during the Edo period. Constructed between 1607 and 1611 by Horio Yoshiharu, the first daimyō of the Matsue Domain, the castle town developed a distinctive culture that rivaled those of Kyoto and Kanazawa. The castle town is situated on the water, with canals forming part of the castle's expansive moat, fed by the Ōhashi River connecting to Lake Shinji and Nakaumi lagoon.

Matsue was founded by Horio Yoshiharu, who chose the location for its abundant water resources. The castle town grew under the Matsudaira clan, who ruled for 10 generations, fostering arts, a unique tea ceremony, and new styles of Japanese confectionary. The Hōran En’ya festival also originated during this time.

Today, Matsue attracts visitors to stroll its historic streets and cruise the waterways. Former samurai residences now serve as museums, and the 200-year-old Meimei-an teahouse offers views of the castle. Matsue Castle is easily accessible from Matsue Station by foot or via the Lake Line sightseeing bus, making it a central point for exploring the castle town's history and culture.

Castle Town

Matsue Castle stands as one of Japan's twelve original castles, distinguished by its main keep surviving fires, earthquakes, and the Meiji period's demolitions. Uniquely, it is the only original castle remaining in the San'in region. Completed in 1611, its keep is the second largest, third tallest at 30 meters, and sixth oldest among Japan's castles. Constructed by Horio Yoshiharu, it later came under the Matsudaira clan, descendants of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who ruled for 234 years.

The castle's keep, a watchtower-style structure, appears to have five stories from the outside but contains six levels inside. Most of its walls are painted black, lending it the nickname "black castle". Built after the last great war of feudal Japan, it never saw battle, which contributed to its survival. The keep also features a well inside, a unique architectural element among Japanese castles.

While many castle buildings were dismantled in 1875, the keep and attached turret were preserved due to public interest. Major renovations in the 1950s further secured its structure. In 2015, the tenshu and attached turret were designated as a national treasure of Japan. The castle's design, intended for warfare, reflects the Momoyama style. Visitors can explore the castle's interior, view period arms and artifacts, and enjoy panoramic views of Matsue and Lake Shinji from the top floor.

Original Japanese Castle

Matsue Castle, often called the "Black Castle," earns its nickname from the dark-colored wooden panels that adorn its exterior. This distinctive black facade sets it apart as one of Japan's few remaining original castles, a testament to its survival through centuries of natural disasters and societal changes. Built in the early 17th century, the castle's design reflects a period of relative peace, yet its robust construction was intended to withstand warfare. The black and white design and the onikawara roof ridges are unique features.

Inside, the castle reveals impressive wooden beams and flooring across its six stories. The keep, built in a watchtower-style, appears to have five stories from the outside, but contains six levels inside. Most of the walls of the keep are painted black. The dark aesthetic extends beyond mere appearance, influencing the castle's solemn presence. This somber tone distinguishes it from other castles of the era.

The castle's history is intertwined with the Matsudaira clan, relatives of the ruling Tokugawa, who occupied it for over two centuries. The "Black Castle" has become a symbol of Matsue, offering panoramic views of the city's waterways from its top floor. These views highlight Matsue's identity as the "City of Water." The Horikawa Sightseeing Boat provides a unique water-level perspective of the castle.

Matsue Castle

Did You Know?

Original Remaining

Nickname

Construction Years

Boat Tours

Highlights from Reviews

Location