The 21 Edo-Period Buildings
Matsuyama Castle (松山城) is a group of castle buildings of the Edo period (1615 to 1859) in Marunouchi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on May 13, 1935 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records 21 buildings designated as one property (1 keep, 6 turrets, 7 gates and 7 walls), the keep having three storeys under three roofs, a basement and a tiled roof; designation number 00954.
The 1935 date in the Agency record is that of the designation under the former law. Matsuyama City's conservation plan gives 1950 as the year the keep and the other 20 buildings became Important Cultural Properties.
Keep, Turrets, Gates and Walls
The keep has three storeys under three roofs and a basement, roofed in tile, and the Agency dates it to between 1804 and 1859. According to Matsuyama City, the present keep was rebuilt in 1854.
The six turrets are the south turrets of the Third, Second and First Gates, the Inui Turret, the Nohara Turret and the turret beside the Hidden Gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The L-shaped two-storey Inui corner turret, the two-storey Nohara corner turret and the Hidden Gate turret are dated to the early Edo period (1615 to 1660), earlier than the keep.
The seven gates are the Partition Gate, the Third, Second and First Gates, the Shichiku Gate, the Hidden Gate and the Tonashi Gate. Most are koraimon gates; the Second Gate is a yakuimon gate with a side door and the Hidden Gate is a turret gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Tonashi Gate dates from 1800 and the Hidden Gate from the early Edo period.
The seven walls run from 3.7 to 24.6 metres and are pierced with 69 loopholes in all (Agency for Cultural Affairs). All are roofed in tile.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency designates the Edo-period keep and the 20 turrets, gates and walls that defend it as a single Important Cultural Property. According to Matsuyama City's conservation plan, Kato Yoshiaki began building the castle in 1602 and Gamo Tadatomo is said to have completed it; under the Matsudaira family it then served as the seat of the Iyo-Matsuyama domain, assessed at 150,000 koku, until the Meiji Restoration. It escaped demolition under the Meiji government and, used as army land and then as a park, keeps much of its Edo-period appearance.
What to Look For
Look for the Inui and Nohara turrets and the Hidden Gate, all older than the keep, and the seven walls pierced with loopholes (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The First, Second and Third Gates are each paired with a south turret and an east wall.
Visiting
According to Matsuyama City, the keep has steep stairs inside, as an Edo-period building, and the paths up the castle hill are steep, with high thresholds at the gates and turrets. Opening hours, fees and access are covered on the Matsuyama Castle group page.
Q&A
- How many Important Cultural Properties does Matsuyama Castle have?
- 21 buildings: 1 keep, 6 turrets, 7 gates and 7 walls (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the keep built?
- The Agency dates it to between 1804 and 1859; Matsuyama City gives 1854 for its rebuilding.
- Are any buildings older than the keep?
- The Inui and Nohara turrets, the Hidden Gate and its turret are dated to the early Edo period (1615 to 1660).
- Who owns the 21 buildings?
- Matsuyama City (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was Matsuyama Castle designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On May 13, 1935 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Matsuyama Castle (松山城) |
|---|---|
| Location | Marunouchi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1935/05/13 (Showa 10) |
| Quantity | 21 buildings |
| Dimensions | Keep (3 storeys, 3 roofs, basement, tiled roof); 6 turrets; 7 gates; 7 walls (3.7 to 24.6 m long, 69 loopholes in all) |
| Owner | Matsuyama City |
| Public Access | See the group page for visiting and access |
References
- Matsuyama Castle Keep (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/3318
- Conservation and Utilization Plan for the Historic Site of Matsuyama Castle, Chapter 1 (Matsuyama City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp/shisetsu/koen/riyou-iji/hozonkatuyoukeikaku.files/Matsuyamajo-01.pdf
- About Matsuyama Castle (Matsuyama City FAQ, Japanese)
- https://info-faq.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp/faq/show/1042?site_domain=default
Last verified: 2026.10.19
Cultural Treasures in the Same Area
All are within walking distance in the same area, so we recommend visiting them together.
- Matsuyama Castle Tonamimon 0.00 km
- Matsuyama Castle hidden gate 0.03 km
- Matsuyama Castle Hiremon Tsuzuki Yagura 0.03 km
- Matsuyama Castle East wall of Ichinomon Gate 0.20 km
- Matsuyama Castle Ninomon South Tower 0.20 km
- Matsuyama Castle Ichinomon south turret 0.20 km
- Matsuyama Castle Shichikumon 0.20 km
- Matsuyama Castle Shichikumon West Wall 0.20 km
- Matsuyama Castle Shichikumon east wall 0.21 km
- Matsuyama Castle Ichinomon 0.21 km
- Matsuyama Castle Sannomon South Tower 0.21 km
- Matsuyama Castle Ninomon 0.21 km
- Matsuyama Castle Muscle iron gate east wall 0.22 km
- Matsuyama Castle East wall of Sannomon Gate 0.22 km
- Matsuyama Castle Sannomon Gate 0.22 km
- Matsuyama Castle Ninomon east wall 0.22 km
- Matsuyama Castle castle tower 0.23 km
- Matsuyama Castle partition gate 0.25 km
- Matsuyama Castle Inner wall of partition gate 0.26 km
- Matsuyama Castle dry tower 0.26 km
- Matsuyama Castle Nohara Tower 0.26 km
