Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle is the only castle among the surviving 12 castles which now has a keep. It was selected as one of the 100 best castles of Japan in 2006. Kato Yoshiaki started the castle construction in 1602, and it is the last complete castle to have been constructed in Japan, which was completed over the longest length of time (approximately a quarter century) in Japanese architectural history. The inner citadel of the castle is located on the summit of Mt. Katsuyama at an altitude of 132 meters, while an outer citadel and a third citadel are at the base of the mountain; it is a huge castle and is counted as one of the coalition of the three largest flatland mountain castles in Japan. You can see from Mt. Ishizuchi to Iyo-nada with one sweep of the eye from the top floor of the large castle keep—that scenery is magnificent.

Spot details

Address: Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Marunouchi Map
Area: Matsuyama Area
Phone: 0899214873
Hours: [Ropeway] [Normal] 8:30-17:30 [Aug.] 8:30-18:00 [Dec.--Jan.] 8:30-17:00 [Chair lift] 8:30-17:00 [Tenshu] [Normal] 9:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30) [Aug.] 9:00-17:30 (Last entry 17:00) [Dec.- Jan.] 9:00-16:30 (Last entry 16:00)
Closed: [Ropeway Lift]open everyday
[Castle Tower]Dec.3rdWednesday
Fees: [Castle tower viewing ticket] [Adult]520yen[Children]160yen[Ropeway/lift round-trip ticket][Adult]520yen[Children]260yen
Parking Lot: Available(10spaces)
Credit Card: Available (VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay, DISCOVER, Diners Club)
Smoking: Available (station building 3F smoking area)
Wi-Fi: Available(Ehime-Free-WiFi)
Average budget: [Lunch] 1,001-3,000yen
Estimated stay time: 60-120 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available (not available for the castle tower, available up to Honmaru Square)
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Yes (possible if you hold it or put it in a cage)