Matsuyama Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Renkakushiki), and is located in Ehime Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Iyo Province. It is associated with the Katō, Gamō, Matsudaira clans. Dates in use: 1602 - 1873.

This is easily one of Japan's best & most complete castles. The surviving structures, complimented by several gates & turrets that were rebuilt in the last few decades, offer a reasonably complete picture of a Japanese castle in its prime. The current main tower was built toward the end of the Edo period. Highly unusual in itself given that permission for castle rebuilding was controlled & strictly limited by the Shogunate.

There are many things of interest within the buildings also. On display are pieces of armour, weapons, maps. There's even armour youcan try on. I recommend you look out of the windows occasionally, the view isn't so bad either.

Timeline

1602	Katō Yoshiakira commenced construction of Matsuyama castle using materials from Misaki & Yuzuki castles.
1603	The Katō clan started residing here. They had been living in nearby Misaki castle.
1627	The main buildings of the castle were completed including a five-story main tower. The same year, the Katō clan were transferred to Aizu & were replaced by the Gamo clan who completed building the some of the outer defensive stoneworks.
1635	The year before, the Gamo lord died without an heir so Matsudaira Sadayuki was transferred here.
1642	The main tower was rebuild with just three stories.
1784	The main tower was destroyed by lightning on new year's day.
1820	Permission was granted by the Shogunate to rebuild the main tower & it was completed 1854.
1870	The buildings of the outermost bailey known as the Sannomaru were burnt to the ground.
1871	The buildings of the secondary enclosure known as the Ninomaru were burnt to the ground.
1933	Several major structures were destroyed by arson.
1945	Several more structures were destroyed during WWII bombing.
1968	Many of the same buildings that had been destroyed earlier in the century were rebuilt using wood.
1971	The Tsutsui Gate was rebuilt.
1972	The Taiko Gate was rebuilt.
1973	The Taiko Turret was rebuilt.
1979	The Tenjin Turret was rebuilt. This turret actually contains a shrine.
1982	The Inui Gate was rebuilt.
1984	The Ushitora Gate was rebuilt.
1986	The Tatsumi Turret was rebuilt.

Historical recognition

Site	National Historic Site
Main tower	Important Cultural Property
Nohara Turret	Important Cultural Property
Inui Turret	Important Cultural Property
Ichinomon Minami Turret	Important Cultural Property
Kakuremon Tsuzuki Turret	Important Cultural Property
Ninomon Minami Turret	Important Cultural Property
Sannomon Minami Turret	Important Cultural Property
Ichino Gate	Important Cultural Property
Nino Gate	Important Cultural Property
Sanno Gate	Important Cultural Property
Tonashi Gate	Important Cultural Property
Kakure Gate	Important Cultural Property
Shichiku Gate	Important Cultural Property
Shikiri Gate	Important Cultural Property
Walls (x7)	Important Cultural Properties