What other travelers are saying about Matsumoto Castle
An awe-inspiring castle. You can feel the history as soon as you step onto the castle grounds. As other reviewers have mentioned, the stairs within the castle are very steep and narrow. Be sure to watch your head as you climb. When you get to the top, be sure to look up and catch the shrine hidden in the rafters. The gift shop has a wide variety of nice souvenirs too. You'll want to bring a good camera because the castle is so photogenic, especially at night.
Matsumoto Castle is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:30 PM. Extended hours apply during Golden Week (April 29–May 5) and the Obon holiday in mid-August, opening from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The castle is closed from December 29 to 31.
Admission is ¥700 for adults and ¥300 for children aged 6–15. Children aged five and under enter free. Discounts are available for groups and Matsumoto residents. Visitors with disabilities and one caregiver can enter for free with a disability certificate.
Due to its historic architecture, Matsumoto Castle lacks modern accessibility features. The Great Keep has steep, narrow stairs and no elevator, which may pose challenges for visitors with mobility issues.
There is no luggage storage available inside Matsumoto Castle. Visitors are advised to arrange to store large bags or luggage before arrival.
Pets, including those in carriers or bags, are prohibited in the Honmaru Garden or the castle. Certified service dogs are permitted with prior permission from the castle management office.
Absolutely stunning castle!! It's only a 15 minute walk from Matsumoto Station and the castle has been so well maintained for hundreds of years! This was my second time visiting the castle and the exhibits within the castle are both fascinating and informative even a second time. The castle takes about 30-45 minutes to tour and the gift shop has some awesome local treats as well as castle souvenirs.
A visit to Matsumoto Castle should be high on your list of priorities when you visit Japan. It is one example of an original and well preserved castle (the other eleven being Himeji, Hikone, Matsue, Inuyama, Maruoka, Marugame, Kochi, Matsuyama, Uwajima, Bitchu-Matsuyama, and Hirosaki).
Matsumoto Castle is one of five castles that are designated as National Treasures of Japan (the other four being Himeji, Hikone, Matsue and Inuyama).
Photographers love Matsumoto as it looks great from all sides, especially from the moat. The castle grounds are also extremely photogenic during every season and you will be able to see flowers or snow, or summer birds depending on when you visit.
If you pay the fee to enter the tower, be prepared to carry your shoes with you and be prepared to climb some steep steps. Original castles are known to have incredibly steep stairs, and the modern reconstructions are a little more forgiving.
Having done many of the must see castles, shrines and such this was the pinnacle. Being able to explore the castle itself and the grounds around it whilst immersing yourself into history with the wonderful museum exhibits was a truely remarkable experience! If you come to Matsumoto and don’t go inside the castle you have made a grave error.
Came here in the afternoon like at around 2.30 PM. There wasn’t much crowd so we get to see the castle. The outside of the castle was beautiful, people were just sitting around the park admiring the castle. We went in and also learned quite a bit of this castle. Indeed it was beautiful.
