Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle is an ancient medieval castle in Japan, located on the shores of Lake Shinjiko in the city of Matsue. The design of the castle is a complex structure. Externally, the castle looks five stories high, but inside consists of six levels. Most of the castle walls are painted in black color, due to which it received its second name “Black Castle”. The name “Matsue-jo” itself can be translated as “Pine Bay Castle”. Matsue is considered the second largest, third tallest (30 meters), and sixth oldest Japanese castle.

History

Construction of Matsue Castle began in 1607 and was completed in 1611 under the leadership of the daimyo of Izumo Province, Yoshiharu Horio. In 1638, the estate and castle were taken over by the Matsudaira clan, a branch of the Tokugawa clan. For the next 234 years (10 generations), the castle was owned by the Matsudaira clan.

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After the Meiji Restoration, the castle was confiscated from its former owners. In 1875, the buildings and fortifications surrounding the castle were destroyed and dismantled, the main tower of the castle was left intact. Between 1950 and 1955, the castle was completely reconstructed.

There is currently a museum of samurai weapons and armor inside the castle.

Tourists

Address: Matsue, Tonomachi 1-5. How to get there: from JR San’inhonsen stop to Matsue Castle 10 minutes by bus, from Ichibata Matsueshinjikoonsen station 20 minutes walk (or 5 minutes by bus).

Opening hours: April-September 7:00-19:30, March-October 8:30-17:00.

Admission: ¥550, children ¥280.