Matsuyama Castle Taiko Turret

A Corner Turret on the High Wall

The Matsuyama Castle Taiko Turret (松山城太鼓櫓) is a two-storey timber corner turret of 1973 in Marunouchi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 3, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a two-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 99 square metres; registration number 38-0193.

A Two-Storey Turret on the High Wall

The Matsuyama Castle Taiko Turret is a two-storey corner turret on the high stone wall at the southwest corner of the main bailey, west of the Taiko Gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is L-shaped in plan, its lower storey following the irregular line of the wall and the upper storey at the southwest corner also irregular.

A triangular gable decorates the west side, and stone-dropping openings wrap around the southwest corner of the ground floor and at the north end of the west face (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records that it was rebuilt in timber in 1973. According to Matsuyama City's conservation plan, it was lost in the air raids of 1945.

Why It Was Registered

The Agency notes its strongly defended form and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.

What to Look For

Look for the irregular plan that follows the stone wall, the triangular gable on the west and the two stone-dropping openings (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

According to Matsuyama City, the paths up the castle hill are steep and the thresholds of the gates and turrets remain high. Opening hours, fees and access are covered on the Matsuyama Castle group page.