Matsumae Castle

Matsumae Castle 松前城
Matsumae, Hokkaido, Japan
File:MatsumaeJo.jpg 250px Matsumae Castle
Type	Hirajiro (flatland castle)
Height	Three stories
Site information
Condition	The gate to the inner citadel and remains of stone walls and embankments remain.
Site history
Built	1606
Built by	Matsumae clan
In use	1596 to Meiji Restoration
Materials	Earth, stone, and wood
Demolished	1949

Matsumae Castle (松前城, Matsumae-jō) is a castle located in Matsumae in Hokkaido, Japan, and is the northernmost castle in Japan. It was the home of the Matsumae Han of the Matsumae clan. It is perhaps the only traditional style Edo period castle in Hokkaidō.

History

Built in 1606 by Matsumae Yoshihiro, it burned down in 1637 but was rebuilt in 1639. Later, modern defences were built on the site in 1850. The donjon of Matsumae Castle was 30 metres (98 ft) high. In 1875, the administrative building, three turrets, and an artillery position were torn down, before the remaining donjon and main gate burned down in 1949; it is now all a park.

It once controlled all passengers through Hokkaidō to the rest of Japan.

See also

• Goryōkaku castle: A star fort constructed in Bakumatsu era