Matsue Castle (松江城) is a castle located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It is also known as “Black Castle” due to its black exterior. The castle was built in 1611 by Horio Tadauji, a feudal lord, and is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan.
Matsue Castle is situated on a small hill overlooking Lake Shinji, and its five-story donjon (main tower) provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The castle’s interior has been preserved in its original state, and visitors can see the castle’s various defensive features, such as hidden doors and trap doors.
In addition to the castle, the Matsue Castle complex includes several other buildings, including a gatehouse, a storehouse, and a watchtower. The castle is also surrounded by a moat and stone walls.
Matsue Castle is considered one of the “Three Famous Castles” of Japan, along with Himeji Castle and Kumamoto Castle. It is a popular tourist destination and is designated as a National Treasure of Japan.
Getting there
From Matsue Station to Matsue Castle:
| Walk | About 26 minutes (1.9 km) |
Details
| Hours | April to September / 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM October to March / 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Reception closes 30 minutes before closing time. |
| Admission | Adults: 680 yen Children: 290 yen |
| Phone | +81 852-21-4030 |
| Address | 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane 690-0887 |
| Official Website | https://www.matsue-castle.jp/ |