Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle (Matsue-jō), located in Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is a Japanese castle built during the Edo period, also known as the “Chidori Castle” (Plover Castle). Its main keep (tenshu) still survives in original form today and has been designated a National Treasure, while the castle grounds are a National Historic Site. It stands as the most iconic historical landmark and tourism asset of Matsue City.

Matsue Castle is a hirayama-style castle, designed by the military scholar Oze Hoan and constructed under the direction of civil engineer Inaba Kakunojō and others. It sits atop Mount Kameda (29 meters above sea level) in northern Matsue, with the Kyobashi River forming the outer moat to the south. The layout follows a ringed compound style, with the Honmaru (main bailey) at the center, the Kita-no-maru (north bailey) to the north, and the upper and lower Ninomaru baileys to the south, extending further into the detached Sannomaru. This multi-layered structure created a strong defensive system. The lord’s residence was originally located in the upper Ninomaru, but due to limited space, parts of the palace were built in the Sannomaru, where the feudal lords primarily resided. Because of its location on the shores of Lake Shinji, Matsue Castle is known as one of the “Three Great Lake Castles of Japan.” Its surrounding moats connect directly to the lake, forming a unique brackish-water environment.

The tenshu, standing on the summit of Mount Kameda, offers panoramic views of Lake Shinji and is the castle’s most symbolic structure. As the only surviving original castle keep in the San’in region, Matsue Castle is one of the Five National Treasure Castles of Japan (alongside Inuyama, Matsumoto, Hikone, and Himeji Castles). It serves as an enduring symbol of Izumo’s history and culture.

During the Meiji period, the Castle Abolition Ordinance mandated Matsue Castle’s demolition and sale, but thanks to local citizens’ efforts, the tenshu was repurchased and preserved, avoiding complete destruction. In the early Shōwa era, the castle grounds were opened as a public park, gradually becoming a beloved spot for leisure and tourism. In recent years, some of the yagura (turrets) in the Ninomaru have also been reconstructed, allowing Matsue Castle to regain part of its former grandeur.

Today, a shrine stands within the Kita-no-maru, while the Sannomaru is home to the Shimane Prefectural Government Office. Matsue Castle is also celebrated as one of the “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan” and one of the “100 Best Urban Landscapes.”