Castle Town Landscape - Matsue Castle
Only twelve of Japan's feudal era castles have survived intact to the present day, and in Matsue you can see the largest of these. Matsue Castle was completed in 1611 for the use of the local lord Horio Yoshiharu. The castle is also called the Plover Castle for its color and proximity to water.
The castle's construction incorporates several interesting architectural features. The foundation is unusual in being built from irregularly shaped blocks of stone, held in place by smaller stones fitted into the gaps. Though the castle appears from the outside to have five levels, it's actually a six-storied building, with the second floor larger than the first.
In 1638 Matsue Castle passed into the hands of the Matsudaira clan, attached to the ruling Tokugawa family. The castle never saw battle, escaping as well the earthquakes, typhoons and fires that claimed so many others over the centuries. In 1875, as castles across the country were being systematically dismantled, most Matsue Castle's buildings and walls were demolished. Local interest groups successfully campaigned for the preservation of some of the walls and the central keep.
Even visitors who aren't especially interested in castles will probably enjoy wandering through Matsue Castle because of its excellent state of preservation. After you mount the steep steps to the highest room, the Tengu Chamber from which the lord would have commanded his forces, you'll get a wonderful view of the castle grounds and surrounding system of moats.
On the grounds you'll also find the Geihinkan Guest House, an attractive, white Western style building completed in 1903 in anticipation of an Imperial visit. Today, the building houses a museum that is worth seeing if your stroll through the castle has left you wanting to know more.
More Info.(Matsue Castle Town):
Matsue Castle Temple
Horikawa Moat Boat
Shiomi Nawate Street
Tea and Sweets in Matsue
The castle's construction incorporates several interesting architectural features. The foundation is unusual in being built from irregularly shaped blocks of stone, held in place by smaller stones fitted into the gaps. Though the castle appears from the outside to have five levels, it's actually a six-storied building, with the second floor larger than the first.
In 1638 Matsue Castle passed into the hands of the Matsudaira clan, attached to the ruling Tokugawa family. The castle never saw battle, escaping as well the earthquakes, typhoons and fires that claimed so many others over the centuries. In 1875, as castles across the country were being systematically dismantled, most Matsue Castle's buildings and walls were demolished. Local interest groups successfully campaigned for the preservation of some of the walls and the central keep.
Even visitors who aren't especially interested in castles will probably enjoy wandering through Matsue Castle because of its excellent state of preservation. After you mount the steep steps to the highest room, the Tengu Chamber from which the lord would have commanded his forces, you'll get a wonderful view of the castle grounds and surrounding system of moats.
On the grounds you'll also find the Geihinkan Guest House, an attractive, white Western style building completed in 1903 in anticipation of an Imperial visit. Today, the building houses a museum that is worth seeing if your stroll through the castle has left you wanting to know more.
More Info.(Matsue Castle Town):
Matsue Castle Temple
Horikawa Moat Boat
Shiomi Nawate Street
Tea and Sweets in Matsue
1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane
JR Matsue station===(10 min. by Lake Line Bus)===Matsuejo stop===(3 min. walk)===Matsue Castle
Ichibata Dentetsu Matsue Shinjiko Onsen station===(20 min. walk)===Matsue Castle
Ichibata Dentetsu Matsue Shinjiko Onsen station===(20 min. walk)===Matsue Castle
Open Hours:
April - September 8:30 - 18:30 (Last Entry 18:00)
October - March 8:30 - 17:00 (Last Entry 16:30)
April - September 8:30 - 18:30 (Last Entry 18:00)
October - March 8:30 - 17:00 (Last Entry 16:30)
Adults: 550yen
Primary School Students: 280yen
Primary School Students: 280yen
Sightseeing in Shimane: http://www.kankou.pref.shimane.jp/index.html
