* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Matsumae Castle
松前城
Matsumae Castle is a historic castle in the Hokkaidō region (Construction ordered in 1849 (Kaei 2); completed in 1854 (Ansei 1)). Its lord was Matsumae Takahiro.
Overview
About the Castle
Matsumae Castle is located in Matsumae Town, Hokkaido, and is Hokkaido's only Japanese-style castle. Completed in Ansei 1 (1854), this castle was built by the Matsumae domain at the shogunate's command as a northern defense fortification to respond to Russia's advancing southern expansion policy and pressure for opening Japan during the late Edo period. The tenshu is a three-story tower structure with white exterior walls that stands dignified on a plateau overlooking the Tsugaru Strait. While smaller in scale compared to celebrated castles on the main islands, it is highly regarded as a pure example of castle architecture born in the final era of the Edo period.
The Northern Frontier Castle and the History of Matsumae Domain
The Matsumae domain was the only han that ruled Ezo (Hokkaido), and was an exceptional daimyo that prospered through monopolizing trade with the Ainu people. Operating outside the rice-tax (kokudaka) system and based on "Ezo trade rights," the Matsumae domain centered its economy not on rice but on northern products such as seafood, furs, and kelp. The Matsumae clan, which governed the northern frontier while repeating cycles of trade and tension with the Ainu throughout the Edo period, was ordered by the shogunate in Kaei 2 (1849), amid the growing arrival of foreign ships, to build a castle to strengthen coastal defense. Matsumae Castle became one of the final Japanese-style castles built in the late Edo period as the fruition of this mission.
The Hakodate War and the Castle's Fate
During the Boshin War, the Hakodate War broke out in Meiji 1 (1868). In this conflict, Matsumae Castle was attacked by the former shogunate forces of Enomoto Takeaki and his allies and fell in merely one day. The former shogunate forces commanded by Hijikata Toshizō overwhelmed the outnumbered Matsumae domain troops. Subsequently, after intense fighting between former shogunate and new government forces, the center of the war shifted to Hakodate and Goryokaku, and Matsumae Castle eventually returned to the hands of the new government army. After the Meiji Restoration, most buildings except the tenshu and the honmaru gate were demolished, and the surviving tenshu burned in Showa 24 (1949) when a fire that broke out at the town office spread to it. The current tenshu is a reinforced concrete structure rebuilt in Showa 36 (1961) and houses a historical museum of the Matsumae domain.
Ainu Culture and the Sword Culture of the North
The history of Matsumae Castle and the Matsumae domain is inseparable from the culture of the Ainu people. The Ainu possessed a unique short-blade culture, and the small knife called "makiri" was used in daily life, craftsmanship, and rituals. The Matsumae domain used Japanese swords from the main islands as trade items with the Ainu. Hijikata Toshizō, who captured Matsumae Castle in the late Edo period, was known as a swordmaster and vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, and anecdotes concerning his beloved sword continue to attract many sword enthusiasts in the modern era.
Cherry Blossoms: The Castle of Sakura
Matsumae Castle is also widely known throughout Japan as a "celebrated cherry blossom site." The castle grounds are planted with approximately 10,000 cherry trees of some 250 varieties, and due to their extended blooming period, its popularity as the "Castle of Sakura" is immense. The contrast between the cherry blossoms blooming splendidly in Hokkaido's brief spring and the white tenshu is a particularly striking sight in Japan's castle landscapes, making it popular among photography enthusiasts. Combined with the spectacular view overlooking the Tsugaru Strait, one can fully savor the distinctive ambiance of a castle on the northern frontier.
Connection to Swords
Matsumae Castle's connection to swords can be understood from two perspectives: the presence of Hijikata Toshizō in the Boshin War, and the sword culture of the Ainu people. In 1868 (Meiji 1), Hijikata Toshizō, who led the former Bakufu forces, demonstrated exceptional military command during the assault on Matsumae Castle. Known as the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi for his swordsmanship and leadership, Hijikata's prized blade, the Izumi-no-Kami Kanesada, remains one of the most celebrated swords of the Bakumatsu era and is beloved by countless sword enthusiasts. The Kanesada was forged by Izumi-no-Kami Kanesada, the eleventh-generation smith of the Aizu clan, and this surviving blade is preserved at the Hijikata Toshizō Museum in Hino, Tokyo. During the final assault on Hakodate in 1869 (Meiji 2), Hijikata was shot near the Ippongi checkpoint while advancing to relieve the isolated Benten Daiba fort. Meanwhile, the "makiri" (Ainu knife) traded by the Matsumae domain in commerce with the Ainu embodies a northern blade culture entirely distinct from the Japanese sword. While the makiri is a simple and practical single-edged knife, its handle is also an artistic craft adorned with geometric Ainu patterns. The Matsumae domain used Japanese swords and iron goods from the main islands in its trade with the Ainu and profited from its monopoly on that trade. The Matsumae Castle Museum displays Ainu crafts alongside swords and armor related to the Matsumae domain, allowing visitors to observe the intersection of samurai culture and indigenous culture at the northern frontier. Matsumae Castle stands as the "northern endpoint" of Japanese sword culture, an important castle demonstrating the diversity of weapon culture distinct from mainland Japan.
Highlights
- Hokkaido's only traditional Japanese-style tenshu — the white-walled tower against the Tsugaru Strait is a unique northern landscape
- 10,000 cherry trees of 250 varieties — one of Japan's premier cherry blossom castles, peak bloom late April to early May
- Matsumae Castle Museum — displays on Matsumae domain history, Ainu trade, armor, and sword-related artifacts
- Hakodate War historic sites — key battlefield for Hijikata Toshizō and the Shinsengumi's last stand
- Matsumae Park — vast park surrounding the castle, with food stalls and traditional performances during the cherry blossom festival
- Fresh seafood — bluefin tuna, sea urchin, and scallops from the Tsugaru Strait are exceptional
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.