Castle Type: Hilltop
Built in: 1611 by Horio Tadauji.
Class: 12 existent original castles.
Matsue Castle is one of 12 castles that built in early Edo period and survived though today. It was constructed by Horio Tadauji in 1611. Horio Tadauji was the son of Horio Yoshiharu, one of feudal lord of Sengoku. He was given the land of Matsue by Tokugawa Ieyasu after the victory of Sekigahara. However, the former castle of Matsue was the mountain castle, and it was not convenient for building castle town. Therefore, Horio Tadauji built a new castle on Matsuji castle.
The construction started in 1607 and finished in 1611. His father Yoshiharu died in this year and couldn't watch the complete castle.
Horio clan was abandoned in 1633, and Matsudaira clan was moved to Matsue in 1638.
Tensyu
The structure of Tensyu is 4 layers and 5 stories. In the stone basement, there is basement floor. It is 30m tall in total.
It is considered as the one of 3 great Lake Castles. Yagura of 2nd bailey and 3rd bailey is reconstructed.