Matsumae Castle

Matsumae Castle, also known as Fukuyama Castle, is a historic Japanese castle located in Matsumae Town, Hokkaido, and is the only traditional Japanese-style castle structure in Hokkaido. Built during the late Edo period, the castle was originally the Fukuyama Mansion, the residence of the Matsumae Domain. It was expanded for coastal defense purposes and was completed in 1855 (Ansei 1), making it one of the latest castles built in Japanese history alongside Ishida Castle.

During the Boshin War in 1868 (Meiji 1), Matsumae Castle was temporarily captured by Hijikata Toshizō and the former Tokugawa shogunate forces, but it was recaptured by the new government the following year. After the Meiji Restoration, most castle structures were dismantled. The original castle keep (tenshu) was once designated a National Treasure, but was destroyed by fire in 1949. Today, surviving structures include the main gate (Honmaru Gomon) with its gabled roof, the front entrance of the Honmaru Palace (a tangible cultural property of Hokkaido), and the former Teramachi Gate, now relocated as the main gate of Aunji Temple.

The castle grounds are now preserved as a National Historic Site and form part of Matsumae Park, which features well-preserved stone walls, baileys, and a tourist attraction called Matsumae Han Yashiki, a recreation of an Edo-period castle town. The park is also famous for its 10,000+ cherry blossom trees, with around 250 varieties including local cultivars like Matsumae Early Bloom and Beni-yutaka, earning it a spot among the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan. Its cherry blossom season lasts over two months, making it one of the most representative hanami locations in Japan.

Currently, plans are underway to reconstruct the tenshu and earthen walls in wood, aiming to restore the castle's original appearance and further promote cultural preservation and historical tourism.