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Matsumoto Castle reflected in moat under autumn tree branches

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle

The Matsumoto Castle is a historic castle in the city of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It was built of stone and wood and is surrounded by a moat filled with water. Due to its black exterior and the "spreading wings", the Matsumoto Castle (Japanese: 松本城, Matsumoto-jō) is also know as "Crow Castle" (烏城, Karasu-jō).

Along with Himeji Castle in the Hyōgo Prefecture and Kumamoto Castle in the Kumamoto Prefecture, the castle is considered one of Japan's three premier castles.

Matsumoto Castle in Japan reflected in a calm moat.

The origin of the castle dates back to 1504. At that year in the Sengoku period Shimadachi Sadanaga of the Ogasawara clan started building a fort on the site. The original name for the fort was "Fukashi Castle".

Matsumoto Castle reflected in a calm lake with a red bridge.
Matsumoto Castle reflected in a moat, with tourists taking photos.
Matsumoto Castle reflected in moat under autumn tree branches
Matsumoto Castle, a historic black Japanese castle with tiered roofs, surrounded by manicured gardens and visitors on a sunny day
Tourists exploring the wooden interior of a traditional Japanese castle with steep stairs and bamboo railings

The castle has six floors, but only five can easily be seen from the outside. The third floor, unlike the other floors, has no windows. That is why it was called "Dark Floor" or "Hidden Floor". This level was mainly used as a warehouse.

Bilingual sign explaining the third floor hidden level of a Japanese castle inside a dark timber interior
Dark historic interior corridor lined with aged wooden pillars and reflective timber floor
Visitors observing the view from windows inside a traditional Japanese castle tower
Tourists with backpacks looking out a window at Matsumoto Castle.
High-angle view of Matsumoto Castle grounds, showing a person walking on a path through an autumnal garden.
Autumn panorama of Matsumoto city seen from Matsumoto Castle with castle moat, park and mountain backdrop
Panoramic view of Matsumoto Castle grounds with autumn trees, cityscape and mountain range
Autumn view over castle park grounds with mountains, manicured trees and visitors on a sunny day
Matsumoto Castle, a historic Japanese fortress with distinctive black exterior walls and tiered roofs, surrounded by autumn trees and a wide grassy field under a clear sky
Low-angle view of a Japanese castle roof.
Japanese maple tree with vibrant red-orange autumn foliage in a sunlit garden
Flowering bonsai trees exhibited on tiered tables under a white tent
A display of bonsai chrysanthemum plants in various colors and sizes.
Yellow chrysanthemum bonsai tree in a brown pot.
Close-up of pink chrysanthemum flowers with yellow centers.
Dense cluster of deep red chrysanthemum flowers in full bloom
Samurai warrior on horseback in a Japanese battle reenactment.
A fallen samurai warrior mannequin in traditional Japanese armor.
Samurai actors in traditional dress perform a fight scene.
Matsumoto Castle keep and stone wall reflected in water.

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