Matsue Castle is a castle located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. It is one of only five castles designated as national treasures in Japan. The shachihoko on the roof of the top of the castle tower is about 2m high, which is the largest shachihoko in existence. From the watchtower on the top floor of the castle, you can see the city of Matsue and Lake Shinji. In addition, In Shiroyama Park, there is a walking trail where you can enjoy the seasonal nature such as pine trees, bamboo groves, cherry blossoms, camellias, and plum blossoms.
Admission fee
Adult : 680 yen
Elementary and junior high school students : 290 yen
Opening hours
8:30 ～ 18:30 (April 1st to September 30th, Last admission is 18:00)
8:30 ～ 17:00 (October 1st to March 31th, Last admission is 16:30)
※ No regular holiday
※ Opening and closing times may change due to events
Access
Walking : about 25 min from JR Matsue station
Buses : about 10 min from JR Matsue station
about 15 min from Shinjiko Onsen station
Attractions
Castle tower
Matsue Castle is one of only 12 remaining castles in Japan with an existing castle tower. Existing castle towers are special existence that was built in the Edo period (1603 – 1868) or earlier and has survived to the present day without being destroyed. Among them, there are only three in Japan, including Matsue Castle, that have been designated as national treasures. You can also enter inside the castle tower. There are many places to see inside, so please visit and check them out.
At night, the castle tower is lit up. It might be interesting to dare to visit at night.
Inside the castle tower
There are various exhibits inside the castle tower. Some of them are introduced here.
Gun port (鉄砲狭間) and Stone dropping window (石落とし)
Teppo-Hasama is a small window in a castle wall for shooting guns, and it has various shapes such as circles, triangles, squares, and various polygons.
Stone dropping window is a gap or hole in a part of a castle wall. In normal times, gaps and holes are closed with lids, but if there are enemies climbing the walls, stones can be dropped downward through this gap or hole to drive the enemy away.
Old shachihoko (旧鯱)
This is the shachihoko that used to be installed at the top of the castle tower. Currently, a new shachihoko is installed at the top of the castle tower, and the old one is displayed here.
Onigawara (鬼瓦)
Onigawara is a decorative kawara (tile, 瓦) that is installed at the edge of a kawarayane (tiled roof, 瓦屋根), and has the meaning of warding off evil. As the name suggests, Matsue Castle’s Onigawara has the face of an oni (ogre, 鬼).
National Treasure Designation (国宝指定書)
National Treasure Designation proving that Matsue Castle is designated as a National Treasure is displayed at the top of the castle tower.
The view from top of the castle tower
The top floor of the castle tower is called “Tengu-no-ma (天狗の間),” and there are no walls in the room, which has no walls and offers a 360-degree view of the castle town. Since there are no tall buildings around, it is also a popular spot to overlook the beautiful Lake Shinji (宍道湖) on a fine day. At that time, it is said that it also served as a control tower to monitor the enemy and prepare for attacks. Let’s fully enjoy the magnificent view of Matsue that the successive loads of Matsue Castle must have seen.
Cruise along the Horikawa (堀川) of Matsue Castle
Horikawa (堀川) is a river filled with water in a hollow dug around the castle. You can enjoy the townscape of Matsue by taking a small boat touring the Horikawa. The sightseeing boats operate in three main areas. The “Historic District,” where Matsue Castle, stonewalls and samurai residences remain as they were in old Japan. The “Urban Area,” where retro-modern buildings stand side by side and give a sense of nostalgia. The “Nature Area,” where you can move alongside birds of the water on the surface of the quietly shimmering water, reflecting only the sky and forests. The view of Matsue from the Horikawa changes with the seasons and the time of day. Even if you only take a moment to gaze at the city, you are sure to discover something new every time you board the boat.
Enjoy a relaxing time on a pleasure boat.
Matsue Castle with cherry blossoms
Matsue Shiroyama Park (松江城山公園) is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot that is selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. There are about 180 cherry trees in the park, and they bloom all at once in spring. A castle festival (Oshiro Matsuri, お城まつり) is also held during the cherry blossom season from the end of March to the beginning of April. During the festival, it is lit up from 18:00 to 21:00, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night. The contrast between the castle and the cherry blossoms is very beautiful, so I definitely recommend visiting during the cherry blossom season.
Kounkaku (興雲閣)
Kounkaku was built in 1903 as the Matsue City Crafts Exhibition Hall, and was also planned as a residence for the emperor during his imperial tours. Therefore, the interior is gorgeously made with carvings and decorations.
Admission fee
Free
Opening hours
8:30 ～ 18:30 (April 1st to September 30th, Last admission is 18:00)
8:30 ～ 17:00 (October 1st to March 31th, Last admission is 16:30)
※ No regular holiday
The red carpet and stairs are stylishly designed to make you think of the West.
Tables and chairs are also set up, so it’s perfect for a little break. It’s a good place to take a break while enjoying the atmosphere of the past.
The second floor hall can be reserved for a fee. It would be fun to rent out the hall and host a party as if you were an aristocrat.
Maximum capacity : 150 people
Basic fee for renting: 2,182 yen per hour (tax included)
Access
Access to Matsue Castle is recommended by bus or on foot from the nearest stations (JR Matsue Station: JR松江駅 or Ichibata Dentetsu Shinjiko Onsen Station: 一畑電鉄しんじ湖温泉駅).
When accessing from JR Matsue Station
If you access on foot, it takes about 25 min
If you access by buses
fare : 210 yen (adult), 110 yen (child)
time : about 5 min
Lake line bus
Matsue Station Stop (松江駅) → Kokuho Matsue Jo Kencho Mae Stop (国宝松江城県庁前)
When accessing from Ichibata Dentetsu Shinjiko Onsen Station
If you access on foot, it takes about 20 min
If you access by buses
fare : 210 yen (adult), 110 yen (child)
time : about 5 min
Ichibata bus
Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station Stop (松江しんじ湖温泉駅)
→ Kokuho Matsue Jo Kencho Mae Stop (国宝松江城県庁前)
Summary
Matsue Castle, one of Japan’s leading castles, has many attractions. Not only for those who like castles, but also for those who don’t know much about castles, you can enjoy the Japanese atmosphere. If you are thinking about sightseeing in Shimane, please visit Matsue Castle.
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