Matsuyama Castle - National Treasure-Level Keep

Matsuyama Castle is located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. It is an ancient castle with nearly 400 years of history. The construction of Matsuyama Castle began in 1602 by Kato Yoshiaki and took a quarter of a century to complete. The castle is situated on Mount Katsuyama, which stands at an elevation of 132 meters. From the top of the keep, you can overlook the entire Matsuyama Plain and the magnificent Seto Inland Sea. Matsuyama Castle is one of the 12 remaining castles in Japan that still have a keep and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The castle preserves many historical buildings, including 21 structures designated as Important Cultural Properties. Matsuyama Castle is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, attracting many visitors every spring. At night, the castle is beautifully illuminated, making it a dreamy and enchanting landmark for both locals and tourists. 📍Address: Access to Matsuyama Castle is very convenient. From JR Matsuyama Station or Iyo Railway Matsuyama City Station, take the city tram for about 10 minutes and get off at Okaido Station. From there, it is about a 5-minute walk to the ropeway station. Visitors can choose to take the ropeway or the single-seat chairlift to the castle. The ropeway takes about 3 minutes, and the chairlift takes about 6 minutes. For those who enjoy walking, Matsuyama Castle also offers several hiking trails, each taking about 20 to 30 minutes. 💰Cost: The entrance fee for Matsuyama Castle is 520 yen for adults and 160 yen for children. The round-trip fare for the ropeway is 520 yen for adults and 260 yen for children. Tickets for both the entrance and the ropeway can be purchased from vending machines at the ropeway station. Matsuyama Castle is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM).