Most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles

#getgoing2025 Matsumoto Castle (松本城, Matsumotojō) is one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles, i.e. the castles whose keeps have survived the post-feudal ages intact. It was built on the plains rather than on a hill or mountain. Matsumoto Castle is unique for having both a secondary donjon and a turret adjoined to its main keep. The castle structures, in combination with their characteristic black wainscoting, give off an air of grandeur and poise. Matsumotojo's main castle keep and its smaller, second donjon were built from 1592 to 1614. Both these structures were well-fortified as peace was not yet fully achieved at the time. In 1635, when military threats had ceased, a third, barely defended turret and another for moon viewing were added to the castle.