Sightseeing
Matsumae Castle
📍 Hakodate, Japan
No photos yet
4.5/ 5.0
★★★★★
Introduction
Matsumae Castle is the only castle ever built in Hokkaido, standing in Matsumae town south of Hakodate and completed by the Matsumae clan in 1854. The keep is a 1988 reconstruction based on old records, housing clan artefacts inside. The grounds are famed as a 'home of cherry blossoms' — some 250 varieties and over 10,000 trees make the spring 'Matsumae Castle Hanami' the finest flower event in southern Hokkaido.
✨ Highlights
1
Hokkaido's only castle
The sole castle in the prefecture; keep rebuilt from records.
2
Cherry Mecca
250 varieties, 10,000 trees — a spring hanami highlight.
3
Clan treasures
Armour, documents and folk material of the Matsumae domain.
🛈 Practical Info
→Location：Matsumae-cho, Hokkaido
→Time needed：about 60 minutes
→Admission：Park free; keep ticketed
💡 Tips
• About 1.5 hours by car or bus from Hakodate.
• During cherry season (late Apr–mid May) arrive early — it gets crowded.
• Add the nearby Matsumae clan residence museum and old streets.
FAQ
Any practical tips for visiting Matsumae Castle?
About 1.5 hours by car or bus from Hakodate. During cherry season (late Apr–mid May) arrive early — it gets crowded.
