This quaint mountain city is the second largest within the Nagano Prefecture and is situated just 2 hours away from Tokyo. It provides both a perfect day trip for those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of the capital and also acts as a fantastic gateway for trips into the Japanese Alps, e.g. to Kamikochi, Norikura or the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.
A stay of 2 nights is more than enough to take in the relatively small city’s attractions, with the protagonist of course being Matsumoto-jō.
Throughout my time I stayed at the cosy Matsumoto Backpackers Hostel, which provided authentic and most importantly affordable accommodation not too far from the train station but equally not too far from the castle. This was the first time I got to stay in a traditional tatami laden x futon room and I loved it!
Walking bare foot on the tatami mats reminded me of the old Karate days and I remember promising myself that I would build a Japanese themed room such as this in one of my future homes:
Beyond the sliding windows, the view was one of juxtaposition, as the Japanese alps provided the backdrop to modern buildings, cars and telephone wires:
Matsumoto-jō is the oldest existing castle in Japan (roughly 400 years old). The whole city was built and remains structured around the strategically centred edifice which can ‘easily’ be found once you locate the main strip. I write ‘easily’ because without the help of the most friendly local, I would still be looking for the castle today!
You’ll know when you’re on the strip because you’ll be surrounded by large hotels, restaurants, cafes, banks and a few stuffy bookstores.
As you walk along this mostly modern strip, you’d be right in thinking ‘surely there’s not a 400 year old castle at the end of this?!’- but have faith! Once you cross the road and enter the park grounds you are greeted with a deep hue green moat. If you continue to follow this round you are warmly welcomed with the below site!
The building was so impressive that I photographed it both in the day and then returned in the night for the floodlight reflections (blog coming soon!). Below are the day photographs I shot – browse through to learn more about the castle!
Unari Kobayashi (1855 – 1914) Originally from Osaka, Kobayashi served as the first principal of Matsumoto middle school. In 1901 he established the Matsumoto Castle-Keep Preservation Society and proceeded to repair the main Tenshu Castle-Keep, thereby saving it from imminent collapse. Ryozo Ichikawa (1844- 1908) Born near the castle, Ishikawa committed himself to buying back the Tenshu Castle keep when it was auction off in 1872, thereby saving it from demolition.
The Matsumoto Castle was founded during the Sengoku Period when Shimadachi Sadanaga belonging to the Ogasawara Samurai clan constructed a fort in 1504. During the mid-16th century, the fort was ruled by the Takeda clan, and few years later, it came under the authority of legendary Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Beauty personified.
#Spring
Sometimes referred to as “Crow Castle” (烏城 Karasu-jo) because of its awesome black exterior.
Levels
Inui Kotenshu (part on the right) that from the outside appears to have three stories but actually has four, the hidden floor concealing defences. This minor keep is structurally independent of the main tower but is connected via a roofed passage.
The most interesting part of the castle is the main donjon/keep (tenshukaku) completed in the late 16th century, and which maintains its original wooden interiors and external stonework.
Squaaaaaaad
Ninja mode
Practising the new pose.
Formerly called Fukashi Castle, it was a branch castle of the Ogasawara family during the long period of the warring states.
The tsukimi yagura, is the room that was used for moon sighting during the time of peace.
What a location!
‘Red bridge frames castle’
The bride to be and her maintenance team move location on their photoshoot.
Matsumoto Castle is a flatland castle (hirajiro) because it is not built on a hilltop or amid rivers, but on a plain. Its complete defences would have included an extensive system of inter-connecting walls, moats and gatehouses.
bruh.
Long life and prosperity
Leslie Alfonso Latchman 
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