Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle, located in the heart of Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture, stands atop Mount Katsuyama. It is the largest castle complex in Shikoku and one of Japan’s twelve surviving original castles. Because it was built on Katsuyama, it is also known as “Katsuyama Castle” or “Kinkijō” (Golden Turtle Castle). During the Edo period, it served as the seat and administrative center of the lords of Iyo-Matsuyama Domain. As the city’s iconic historic fortress, the name “Matsuyama Castle” almost always refers specifically to this site.

The castle layout centers around the Honmaru (main bailey) at the summit, with the Ninomaru located on the southwestern hillside and the Sannomaru further extending outward. The Ninomaru functioned as the residence and administrative offices of the feudal lord, once containing a palace, gardens, and tea houses; the Sannomaru served as the residential quarter for high-ranking retainers. The most striking feature is the complex of keeps within the Honmaru: the large main keep, smaller keeps, and north and south corner turrets are connected by covered corridors, forming an impressive renritsu-shiki tenshu (interconnected keep complex). Alongside Himeji Castle, it is considered one of Japan’s three great interconnected hilltop castles. Matsuyama Castle preserves twenty-one original structures, including the main keep, all designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The castle ruins themselves are recognized as a National Historic Site, and more than twenty additional structures have been reconstructed in wood based on historical records, giving visitors a clear sense of the castle’s original appearance.

The castle’s history dates back to the early 17th century when Katō Yoshiaki, having been granted Iyo Province after the Battle of Sekigahara, began construction in 1602. The project took years to complete and was later expanded and renovated under the Matsudaira (Hisamatsu) clan, who succeeded the Katō. Although some buildings were destroyed by fire in the early 20th century, the main keep and several turrets and gates survived, allowing visitors to appreciate its former grandeur.

Today, Matsuyama Castle and its surroundings have been preserved as Shiroyama Park, serving not only as a symbol of the city but also as a major tourist destination. From the top of the keep, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Matsuyama City and even the distant Seto Inland Sea.