All Reviews of Matsue Castle

In the pleasant early-spring weather of May, I planned a special trip to Shimane to visit the national treasure Matsue Castle! The weather in Matsue in May was incredibly comfortable, with a gentle breeze carrying a slight chill. Lush greenery surrounded the castle and lined the moat, and together with the old-fashioned black exterior of the castle keep, the scene looked extremely elegant and magnificent.

As soon as I arrived at Matsue Castle, one of the few remaining original wooden castle keeps in Japan, the antique texture of the wood and traces of history inspired a deep sense of respect. I climbed the wooden stairs all the way to the observation deck on the top floor, and the expansive view was truly breathtaking! Not only could I take in the entire Matsue cityscape, but I could also see the sparkling waters of Lake Shinji. When the breeze blew through, I felt completely relaxed.

Best of all, it wasn't overly crowded in May, so strolling along the paths surrounded by the castle's stone walls and greenery was very leisurely and comfortable. After touring the castle keep, you can also take a Horikawa sightseeing boat nearby and enjoy a different view of the castle from the water. I highly recommend adding Matsue Castle to your San'in road trip or walking itinerary when the weather is pleasant in May. You'll definitely get to experience the most captivating side of Japanese history!

Matsue Castle is absolutely worth making a special trip for.

It is one of only 12 surviving original castle keeps in Japan, and one of the very few designated as a National Treasure—only five castles in the entire country have that status.

Compared with many castles rebuilt in reinforced concrete after the war, the most captivating thing about Matsue Castle is that it has beautifully preserved its original wooden structure from more than 400 years ago, dating back to the early Edo period. That simple, steady, and dignified sense of history is something modern reconstructions simply can’t match.

The mainly black exterior with some white walls makes Matsue Castle's contrast really unique! Also, if you go up to the top floor of the main keep, you can get a great view of the whole city of Matsue.

This is one of the few remaining national treasure castles in Japan. The surrounding area is really well maintained, and the view of the lake from the top is fantastic!

The main keep still has its original wooden structure. The stairs inside are really steep, and since you have to walk in socks, it's pretty easy to slip. But if you make it to the top, you get a great view of Lake Shinji.

Matsue Castle is really well maintained. Unlike other castles that have become too modernized and lost their original charm, this one still feels authentic. Plus, there aren't many tourists, so the experience is much better.