Type: Hilltop
Built in: 1602 by Kato Yoshiaki.
Class: Existed Original Castle.

Matsuyama castle is one of great hilltop castles located in Ehime Prefecture. Tenshu of Matsuyaam castle is one of 12 existed original castles. The structure of Tenshu-kaku is an interconnected-style keeps consisting of a 3 layers 3 stories Tenshu, Small Tenshu and two keeps. This structure is the same as the Himeji Castle.

There are 21 original building remaining in Matsuyama Castle. They are all registered as important cultural assets. Also, Honmaru, the main bailey, that is located on the top of mountain still keeps all the stone walls in great conditions. Therefore, with the other restored buildings, Matsuyama castle has a complete structures of hilltop castle of Sengoku period.

In 1602, Kato Yoshiaki was given extra land around his land Iyo. He ordered his Samurai Adachi Shigenobu to construct new hilltop castle with Ninomaru and Sannomaru.

In 1603, He renamed this land Matsuyama. In 1619, Kato Yoshiaki was moved to Hiroshima. In 1635, Matsudaira Sadayuki was moved to Iyo. He reconstructed 3 layers building.

Current Tenshu is restored in 1854.

Today, it is registered as 100 Japanese castles, 100 best Sakura spots, and 100 best history parks.

Tonashimon Gate
It's a no door gate. It was reconstructed in middle of 16th century.

Tsutsui Gate
One of the strongest gate in Matsuyama castle.

Kakuremon Gate
The secret gate of Tsutsuimon. It is original building constructed in 1602.

Inuiyagura
2 stories Keep protect North-west. It was removed from Masaki Castle in 1602. It is original structure.

Nohara Yagura
2 stories Keep original structure of this castle. It is Borou Style Keep that is one of few keeps remains in Japan.

Shichikumon Gate
It is original structure in this castle. It was very important gate to protect west side of Honmaru.

Honmaru, main bailey
Honmaru is surrounded by 10m tall stone wall. It is 300m north-south and 30m~180m east-west. It is located on the top of Mt. Katsuyama. It is about 132m tall. The top of the Tenshu-kaku is over 160m tall.

Tenshu-ku
The structure of Tenshu-kaku is an interconnected-style keeps consisting of a 3 layers 3 stories Tenshu, Small Tenshu and two keeps. It was reconstructed in 1854. The gates of Tenshu-kaku are all original constructions. Also, small Tenshu is the original building. It is 2 layers Keeps.

Homepage: http://www.matsuyamajo.jp/