Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The remains are only a tiny part of the once large hospital.
Holdsveikraspítalinn í Laugarnesi
Custard apple, breadfruit, and soursop sculptures dedicated to the Caribbean diaspora in the UK.
Custard Apple, Breadfruit, and Soursop Sculptures
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Matsumoto Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle

This historic castle is one of the oldest and most impressive in all of Japan.

Matsumoto, Japan

Added By
Obscuravibes
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Matsumoto Castle   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
  abbarr / Atlas Obscura User
  abbarr / Atlas Obscura User
Matsumoto Castle   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Matsumoto Castle   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Matsumoto Castle   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Matsumoto Castle   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Matsumoto Castle   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
  abbarr / Atlas Obscura User
Matsumoto Castle   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Originally known as Fukashi Castle, Matsumoto Castle was built in the 1500s during the Eisho period in Japan. It is now the oldest six-story castle in Japan. Its scenic position against the backdrop of the Japanese Alps has made it an increasingly popular visiting place in this part of the country.

Matsumoto is found in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan and the castle holds great significance in the historical development of the country. It is known as a hirajiro, a name given to a castle strategically built on plains rather than on a hill or mountain.

Matsumoto Castle is one of five castles designated as National Treasures of Japan and is surrounded by cherry blossom trees. The wooden interior allows visitors to imagine what life was like for those who occupied this fortified site.

Features inside the castle include openings where large stones were dropped onto invading enemies, openings for archers, and a large observation deck at the top which provides a perfect vantage point over the surrounding area. The castle is surrounded by a moat which is filled with native koi fish.

Related Tags

History & Culture Architecture Castles

Know Before You Go

The current entry fee for Matsumoto Castle is 700 yen. Visitors can walk around the outer grounds for free.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Obscuravibes

Edited By

abbarr

  • abbarr

Published

April 21, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto, 390-0873
Japan
36.238653, 137.968867

Nearby Places

Yohashira-jinja Shrine

Matsumoto, Japan

miles away

Nawate Dori

Matsumoto, Japan

miles away

Daio Wasabi Farm

Azumino, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Matsumoto

Matsumoto

Japan

Places 3

Nearby Places

Yohashira-jinja Shrine

Matsumoto, Japan

miles away

Nawate Dori

Matsumoto, Japan

miles away

Daio Wasabi Farm

Azumino, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Matsumoto

Matsumoto

Japan

Places 3

Related Places

  • Castillo de Gillow.

    San Lucas el Grande, Mexico

    Ex-Hacienda de Chautla

    A historic Puebla estate featuring a striking castle.

  • Conwy Suspension Bridge

    Conwy, Wales

    Conwy Suspension Bridge

    One of the oldest suspension bridges in the world blends in perfectly with a medieval castle.

  • Crawford Castle

    Crawford, Scotland

    Crawford Castle

    These crumbling ruins are all that's left of the ancestral home of Clan Crawford.

  • Mackenzie Castle

    Genoa, Italy

    Mackenzie Castle

    This Gothic revival structure has been a family home, a military base, a gymnastics center, and is now owned by one of the largest auction houses in Italy.

  • Dalquharran Castle

    Dailly, Scotland

    Dalquharran Castle

    The ruins of this magnificent Scottish castle blend both Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.

  • Mains Castle

    East Kilbride, Scotland

    Mains Castle

    This castle was first occupied in the 1400s and has undergone major restoration in recent times.

  • Angle sur l’ Anglin Fortress

    Angles-sur-l'Anglin, France

    Angle sur l’ Anglin Fortress

    This imposing castle has stood for nearly a thousand years.

  • Falkenburg

    Detmold, Germany

    Falkenburg

    The ruins of a medieval castle that survived two sieges.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.