Matsuyama Castle, which is a leading tourist spot in Ehime and a symbol of Matsuyama. Towers at the top of Shiroyama (Katsuyama) in the center of the city to watch the city of Matsuyama. The famous castle, which is said to be impregnable, is full of highlights! We will report in detail from the recommended climbing route to precious cultural treasures and gourmet spots in the castle!

"Matsuyama Castle" is a tourist attraction representing Ehime.

In Keicho 7th year (1602), Yoshiaki Kato, a Master Builder of Castles, start building a castle, which was completed after approximately 25 years. There is Honmaru at the summit of Katsuyama at an altitude of 132m, and Ninomaru (Ninomaru Historic Site Garden) and Sannomaru (Horinouchi) at the foot of the mountain. There are 21 important cultural objects, including a castle tower, in the vast grounds that make use of the entire mountain.

Matsuyama Castle, which has offensive and defensive contrivances all over the place, has been called a famous castle since ancient times. This time, under the guidance of the curator of Matsuyama Castle General Office, I will thoroughly report the charm of Matsuyama Castle, which I found out from the actual going around the inside of the castle tower!

Easy Castle Access on Ropeway or Lift ♪

To aim for the castle tower from the foot of Katsuyama, where Matsuyama Castle rises, there is a route to climb the mountain by walking, and a route to use the ropeway and lift connecting to the 8th station. If you enjoy sightseeing in Matsuyama Castle, it is definitely recommended to take the ropeway lift!

"Shinonomeguchi", the foot station of the Matsuyama Castle Ropeway Lift, is a five-minute walk from Daikaido Station. The ropeway runs every 10 minutes in summary 3 minutes, and the lift runs from time to time in summary 6 minutes. Up is like a lift, down is like a ropeway, and you can enjoy each attraction if you choose a different route for going and going back.

■ Matsuyama Castle Ropeway Lift

Service section: Sanfoot Station "Shinonomeguchi" ~ Santop Station "Chō ja ga naru"
Opening hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (ropeway varies depending on season)
Price: round trip 520 yen (common to ropeway lift)

Recommended route to the castle tower is this

When you go down Chō ja ga naru Station, which is the end point of the ropeway lift, you finally go to the castle tower! There are waiting places such as teahouses and volunteer guides in the square "Chō ja ga naru" where the ropeway lift arrives. A 10-minute walk is a guide from Chō ja ga naru to the castle tower.

Of the 21 Important Cultural Property on the site, the first to be seen is this "Tonashiimon". It is located at the main entrance of the Honmaru, and is said to have gained its name because of the lack of a gate door since the time of the founding. The lack of a gate door is a device to lure the enemy out of guard, and it is said that a fierce attack was launched from overhead against the enemy who attacked!

While touring the largest "Tsutsui Gate" in the castle, and the "kakushimon", which was set up to storm behind the enemy, you can advance your feet, and you will arrive at the "Honmaru Square" which spreads out in front of the castle tower! It's a great location with a view of graceful castle towers, and also perfect for taking commemorative photos.

Enjoy the feeling of a warlord in a castle tower full of highlights!

After purchasing a viewing ticket at the ticket office at the entrance of the castle tower, finally visit the castle tower! At the ticket office, 300 yen per climbing memorial mark and 2800 yen per castle stamp book with the family crest of successive castle owners are sold, so it is recommended to purchase it in memory♪

As soon as you enter the castle tower, there is an angle of about 55 degrees and a steep staircase! You can see why it is called impregnable.

Inside the castle tower, valuable materials about Matsuyama Castle, including armor, are displayed, so you can deepen your understanding of history. In addition to the permanent exhibition, a special exhibition will be held, so if there is an exhibition to worry about, it is recommended to check it out before going out.

In addition, a variety of hands-on exhibits are also available in the castle tower. At the "armor trial experience corner" on the 1st floor of the castle tower, as the name suggests, you can actually try on the armor! Since it takes time to wear all the armor, it is also necessary to wear only the helmet. In addition, there is also a matchlock gun experience, so you can feel like a warlord.

There is also an excellent view of the observation space overlooking the city of Matsuyama

When you reach the top floor up the stairs, you will find an open observation space. The castle tower is located at an altitude of about 161m. From the top floor, you can enjoy a 360-degree view. On a day when the weather is good, you can also see the Seto Inland Sea to the west and the Ishizuchi Mountains to the south.

In addition, it is also a point that you can see the "Ninomaru Historic Site Garden" from the second floor of the small castle tower. Let's enjoy the great panorama in the feeling of becoming a castle owner.

Breathe at the sweet shop in Shiroyama

If you want to take a break on the way to the walk, stop at two sweeteners in Shiroyama. First of all, we introduce "Mutsumi-an", which is located just down the ropeway lift. Here, you can taste Ehime Nami Confectionery such as Bochan Dumpling and Tart.

Then go to "Jozanso" in Honmaru Square. In addition to the store, which has a hearth-style table, you can also enjoy snacks and drinks at the terrace seat in front of the store. Among them, "Iyokan Soft", which has plenty of homemade jule sauce, is popular. With a refreshing taste, your tired body will be refreshed♪

"Matsuyama Castle", which has a number of important cultural treasures and is dotted with highlights. Why not actually climb the castle and touch its history and charm?

■ Matsuyama Castle

Address: 1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
TEL:089-921-4873
Opening hours: Free to walk around Shiroyama Park; entry to Honmaru Square 5-21: 00, view of the castle tower 9-17: 00 (the tower stop is 30 minutes before the closing time); ropeway 8:30-17:30, depending on the season
Closed: Free to walk around Shiroyama Park; no leave at Honmaru Square; Tenshu on third Wednesday, Dec.
Price: Free to walk around Shiroyama Park. Free Honmaru Square, view of the castle tower is 520 yen for adults, 160 yen for children (elementary school students). Ropeway is 520 yen for adults and 260 yen for children

• This article is created based on the contents of "Rurubu Information Edition" or "Rurubu & more." "Rurubu +".
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