Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle, A Hilltop Castle In Central Matsuyama On Shikoku, One Of The Twelve Castles With An Original Keep, A Chairlift Or A Walk Up, And A View Over The City And The Seto Inland Sea. Close To Dogo Onsen. · Matsuyama, Ehime

Matsuyama Castle stands on Mount Katsuyama, a hill of roughly 130 m in the middle of Matsuyama, the main city of Ehime on Shikoku. Kato Yoshiaki began it in 1602 and the work ran for about 25 years. It is often counted among the twelve castles in Japan that keep an original keep, though the main tower was rebuilt in 1854 after lightning burned the older one - confirm the details at the site. A chairlift and a ropeway carry visitors up from the Okaido side, or you can walk the slope in about 10 to 15 minutes. Inside, the keep is a steep wooden climb that ends at a window ring with a view across the city and out toward the Seto Inland Sea. It suits history lovers, families and anyone staying in Matsuyama. Allow two to three hours. It is worth the detour for the keep and the view, and it pairs well with Dogo Onsen in the same evening. It is not a place to spend a full day, and the grounds are smaller than at the great castles of Honshu.

Marunouchi, Matsuyama, Ehime, on a hill in the centre of the city, reached by chairlift or a walk from the Okaido area, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan

The castle is open through the day and closes around late afternoon, with the last entry to the keep about 30 minutes earlier and longer hours in summer - confirm times. The chairlift and ropeway run on a similar schedule and may stop in strong wind or for inspection. Some years the castle closes on a few days in December - confirm. From Matsuyama Station, take the tram to Okaido, about 10 minutes, then walk a few minutes to the lift station. IC cards work on the tram in most cases, but keep cash for tickets and snacks. Nothing needs booking, though cherry blossom weekends and holidays bring queues for the lift.

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