Matsumoto-jō Castle

Put this on your list if you want to see castles in Japan. You can get a free tour in English . See kiosk near entry . Walk around moat is free but entry fee for castle . Best photos are in afternoon. The red bridge on the north west corner is a good photo spot. Walk directly south on the Main Street to get great local noodles. You can walk it from the train station and easy flat route. In the late Fall you can see the snow capped mountains in the distance.

A castle nestled in the Japanese Alps that competes with Himeji for its beauty.

Nice to see from the outside which is free , or you can enter the castle itself for 700 yen or less ( pending on group size, kids pay, less etc ).

I went on a snowy day and it was freezing inside, so have extra warm socks and bring your gloves if you want to make the most of it like I did.

There's also a gun museum within the castle itself.

An absolutely stunning castle. If you are looking for a Japanese castle experience, this is where you need to go. You can take a limited express train from Shinjuku. If you are staying in Tokyo, take day to visit this place. The view is stunning, there are swans in the water around the castle, there's a scenic bridge, there's a beautiful garden, and there's lights when it's dark.
The inside viewing is super crammed but still worth it. Bring thick socks in autumn and winter as you will have to take off your shoes. The stairs are extremely steep and narrow so you have to be in an appropriate physical shape. It's basically a long conga line that goes all the way up and then down again, you dont get to go at your own pace. The view from the top is nice, the museum is mostly about historic guns, and the building just feels very historic. I like that is has side buildings in addition to the main tower. Good pictures at sunset from outside the grounds and at sunrise from the garden inside.

Beautiful castle and surroundings. Be aware you will have to remove your shoes and that there are a few very step ladders to the upper floors. Don’t let this discourage you however as it’s worth every step.

Visited the castle on a weekend end of November , but wait time was still one hour. Consider another hour to hour and a half to get slowly through the castle. Steps are very steep so be careful. But for sure worth the wait since it is one of the most preserved castles in Japan. Entrance fee 700 ¥

This is an amazingly preserved castle and one of the most impressive I have ever been to in Japan (I've been to many all across the country). The views of the castle and the views from the castle are impressive and worth the visit. I would happily make the trek here from Tokyo to visit again.

A must visit if you are a fan of the Japan of the Samurai-era it is a well-curated museum situated in the tower itself. Stay for the night walk in the park too. It offers a simply beautiful view of the castle.

he historical charm and architectural beauty of this castle are unparalleled.
The surrounding landscape adds to the enchantment, creating a picturesque setting that's perfect for capturing memorable photos.

Well worth the visit.
Great views over the castle park
Interior stairs are very steep.

Leave your big luggage at coin locker to get prepared crawling steep stair cases inside, one step height is up to 40cm and more than 60degrees slope up.
The entrance to the castle was no wait but the last story up to the tower top was 15min as it was taking a long time for people to go up and down while sharing the same stairs.
The main attraction is more about that stairs rather than the view from the top.
One of the five national treasure castles in Japan.

The black crow 🏯, in contrast with the White Heron (himeji castle) is the main attraction of the city. You can climb up the tenshu but since you need to take off your shoes it is strongly recommended that you wear layers of socks at least two. In winters the floor is cold. The stairs are steep so be careful. The place is also the venue for projection mapping between December and February with shows running from about 6 to 9 pm every fifteen 15 mins. Somewhere in Jan end a ice sculpture festival/ competition is also held.

Stunning castle to go inside for 700 yen to learn a bit about its history and see it in its authentic state (be careful of steep and slippery steps!). However, it is probably even more beautiful from the outside, and make sure you wander about in the grounds for free when it is dark, you will not be disappointed!!

Absolutely love Japanese original castles. Being a visitor of Hime-ji (the "white" castle) twice, Matsumoto castle was a must here on our third visit to Japan as it's know as the opposite as the "black" castle. I will never stop visiting original castles in Japan, the history, architecture, care to restoration work, views and pictures you come out with cannot be compared. We enjoyed ourselves here for about 3 hours that started with a 30 minute free tour from an English speaking guide (you can pick one up at the front entrance at limited hours during the week). Unlike Hime-ji where they stay with you through the castle and beyond, at Matsumoto she walked us through the initial history and up through the garden to the line to get in and then we parted ways (which was fine, just different). There was a bit of a line to get through on this nice June day, and like most castle, they stairs are very steep and some floors cramped. If tight spaces and narrow stairs would both you, then I would recommend staying on the outside of this one. They had a large showcase of guns displayed inside as they were absorbed from a locals collection after his death when the family had no other use for them, something I wasn't expecting to see.

We were in for an extra treat as our guide asked us to come back after dark, which we were surprised to hear the grounds were open after dusk (many close in Japan at that point). In June, they have lights out so you can safely walk around and see the castle from a different perspective from the outside at that time. I've also been told they do projections in winter, now we'll have to plan to go back again. This quickly became one of my favorite places in Japan, if you are thinking about skipping it, don't.

We went there in the hot summer day. It was super hot.
When we was there, it took us 20-30 mins until we can get into the castle. Inside the castle was a little bit cooler.

The stairs inside the castle were very steep, I would recommend waring something suitable for climbing the stairs.

Inside the castle is a war museum that you can learn not only about the castle but also the war and history of the guns and weapon used in that period.

Worth visiting despite long waiting and so many kids there when we visit since it was Saturday during Summer vacation for Japanese students.

Very good castle to visit, fine preserved building with extensive collection of early Japanese firearms held on the second floor. Only markers against are that the steps up from one floor to the other are a little difficult if you are a little restricted in movement, and even more difficult when coming down.

Really amazing castle! I didn't go inside but it looks great with the park around. It's a really nice spot to just have a little drink and rest because of the great view! And it's also a bit cooler here in the summer than inside of the city.

Look out for a bunch of uncles wearing burgundy jackets - they are Matsumoto locals who give free tours of the castle as well as bring you to a hidden viewing point in the City Hall building!! They speak English and Spanish and are happy to guide your group for more than an hour. As a resident of Japan I can confidently say Matsumoto Castle is the best of them all, by far. The Japanese Alps flanking the castle on a clear day would leave you in awe.

The oldest of Japan's 5 remaining original castles, probably the most dramatically situated nestled between two impressive mountain chains east and west, including the Japanese Alps. You get a good view from the 5th and 6th floors, a steep climb up the main keep stairs. The hand carved pillars stand as they were made in the late 16th century. On display are firearms, including some interesting abnormal looking guns, one of which was meant to be concealed beneath a kimono's sleeve and probably used for assassinations, another meant to be hidden to look like a samurai's standard dagger. You can learn a bit about how the Japanese attempted to manufacture their own firearms at the time. As well, some wonderful older ladies collaborate to decorate the main gate entrance with ikebana flowers surrounding a samurai suit of armor.

Compared to Himeji, Matsumoto Castle focuses more on war, though later a Tsukimi Yagura was added.

A lot of weaponry on display and worth visiting.

For the night illumination, benches were placed in front for better viewing, it was appreciated. The night show was short as well and next show starts after rather quickly, so no worries on missing it.

This year’s theme is Dragon which was spectacular.

What can I say? I grew up visiting this castle. Therefore I’m very biased😅
The ground is beautiful and in the winter you have snow covered (in Japanese ‘Yuki gesho’’(snow makeup is the literal translation) ) Japanese Alps mountain tops as your backdrop!