When visiting Matsuyama in Shikoku, you absolutely can't miss Matsuyama Castle!
Known for its reputation as being "impregnable," it is also the most iconic symbol of Matsuyama City. There are 21 National Important Cultural Properties, including the castle keep. Once inside, it was even more impressive than I had imagined. The historic buildings and expansive views look great in every photo, and there weren't too many visitors, so it was very comfortable to explore. As I took in the castle scenery along the way, I couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so beautiful!" If you're traveling to Shikoku, Matsuyama Castle is definitely worth adding to your itinerary!
Matsuyama Castle | Review by wendy
Other Reviews by wendy
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Bansuiso
Bansuiso was built as a villa by earl Hisamatsu Sadakoto in 1922, a descendant of the former Matsuyama feudal lord. It was built in the French Neo-Renaissance style thanks to Sadakoto’s experience living in France as a military officer in the army.
Bansuiso is a European-style villa tucked away at the foot of Matsuyama Castle, next to the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum. Built in the early 20th century, its French Renaissance architecture incorporates Rococo elements, giving the entire estate an elegant and exotic atmosphere. The gardens are very well maintained, and it looks picturesque from every angle. It has also been used as a filming location for many Japanese TV dramas and movies. However, there aren't many exhibits inside, and aside from the beautiful stained-glass windows, there weren't as many surprises as I'd expected. Overall, it's still worth stopping by, and buying a ticket also gets you discount coupons for nearby shops, which is a pretty good deal!
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Uwajima Castle
Takatora Toudou who is historically famous as a warlord and a master of castle construction built Uwajima Castle at hillside with an altitude of 80 m. The castle experienced major repairs taking about 11 years from 1661 by the second Date lord, Munetoshi Date. The castle is one of the existing 12 castle towers in Japan and was selected as a Nationally designated important cultural property.
Uwajima Castle is one of Japan's 12 surviving original castle towers and No. 83 on the list of Japan's Top 100 Castles! Although the small keep doesn't have much information on display, its old wooden structure is its most precious treasure. Walking on the floorboards and hearing them creak feels like sharing the same moment in time with people from long ago. The view from the top floor of the keep is also captivating! Even more surprising, admission is only JPY 200. There aren't many tourists or much of a commercial atmosphere, and it's as peaceful as a neighborhood park. Besides the keep, the stone walls are another major highlight. Anyone who enjoys exploring castles or studying stone walls should definitely take their time! I spent about 2 hours there and unexpectedly got so much out of it〜
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Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum
Saka no Ue no Kumo, or “Clouds Over the Slope”, is a best-selling historical novel by the prominent novelist Ryotaro Shiba. The novel is focused on three main characters from Matsuyama City; Yoshifuru Akiyama, his brother Saneyuki Akiyama, and their poet friend, Shiki Masaoka. The museum was built around the theme of this novel.
If you're in Matsuyama and enjoy historical stories, don't miss the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum! Themed around Ryotaro Shiba's famous novel Clouds Over the Slope, its extensive exhibits introduce the lives of the Akiyama brothers and Shiki Masaoka, as well as the historical background of the Meiji era. The building itself is also very distinctive, and stepping inside feels like traveling through time! An NHK drama adaptation happened to be airing again recently, adding to the fun of visiting a filming-related site. I especially recommend joining the free guided tour of the surrounding area. The commentary is super informative, and afterward you'll really understand Matsuyama better〜Very worthwhile!
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