4342 Travel Guide

Matsumoto Castle, in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan, is among Japan's most complete and oldest flatland castles, nicknamed the 'Crow Castle' for its black walls and egret-like eaves; it ranks among the four great castles with Himeji, Inuyama and Hikone. The Tenshu keep, built in the Azuchi-Momoyama era, has five tiers and armory displays, ringed by moats that mirror it sharply. With the old town and Northern Alps behind, it is Nagano's signature historic landmark, famed also for spring cherry blossoms and winter snow.