0. Experience Matsumoto Castle! The Original “Black Crow” Masterpiece
Did you know that out of 3,000 castles in Japan, only a handful are truly “original”? Matsumoto Castle is the oldest of them all. While Himeji is a white “Heron,” Matsumoto is famously known as the black “Crow Castle.”
This dramatic look comes from black lacquered boards designed to withstand Japan’s heavy rain—plaster alone would crumble! But here is a secret: “Crow Castle” isn’t actually an official name. > In fact, some local officials aren’t too fond of the nickname. You might think they’d use a “scarecrow” to shoo the name away, but they can’t. Why? Because in Japan, a scarecrow symbolizes someone who is “all show and no substance”—the last thing a dedicated public servant wants to be called!
This guide gives you the “inside story” on this National Treasure from 5 unique angles:
- The Legend: Why this “Black Beauty” outshines even World Heritage sites.
- The Crow Mystery: Why the nickname persists despite the officials’ efforts.
- Architecture: The only castle where you can enjoy “Moon-viewing” in a war zone.
- Fashion: Why black walls are the perfect backdrop for your style.
- The Samurai: A chilling, terrifying tale hidden in the castle’s dark history.
1. Quick Navigation！
- New to Castles? Start with this Chapter 1 to see why this black tower is legendary.
- Just want the secrets? Skip to Chapter 2 for our “5 Perspectives” to impress your guests (and the truth about the “Scarecrow” joke!).
1.1 Accessible Elegance: Why the “Flatland” Castle is Perfect for Everyone
- Matsumoto Castle is one of the most popular castles in Japan for its historical value and visual beauty. Unlike many castles that are located on flat mountains and require mini-climbing, Matsumoto Castle stands on flat ground and is easily accessible, making it a good choice even for those who are not confident in their physical strength.
1.2 Black vs. White: Is the “Oldest” Castle Better than Himeji?
- Matsumoto Castle is a renowned landmark, often mentioned alongside the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle. They stand in stark contrast: Himeji’s brilliant white walls in the west of Japan versus Matsumoto’s striking black walls in the east. They are also the only two five-story castle keeps to have survived, with Matsumoto Castle’s keep believed to be the oldest. This makes it an essential stop for any castle enthusiast.
2. Do These Messages Spark Your Curiosity?
If the previous section didn’t quite capture your interest, no worries—we’ve explored each theme a bit further below. If anything catches your eye, I’d love for you to stop by!
2.1 Architecture and Craftsmanship
🏰War Meets Peace: The Only Castle with a “Moon-Viewing” Suite
- Even though it’s a castle, Matsumoto Castle has a unique turret built for a different purpose: enjoying the moon. It was actually constructed to welcome the third shogun, but the visit was never realized due to a sudden accident before his arrival. This makes Matsumoto Castle the only one in Japan where architectural styles from the periods of war and peace coexist. Why not gaze at the moon from here, and experience something truly special, like the saying “once in a blue moon”?
2.2 Fashion
👘Double the Beauty: Capturing the “Upside-Down” Crow Castle
- The high-contrast aesthetic of Matsumoto Castle makes it a popular backdrop for fashion posts online. Many style-conscious visitors use its unique look to elevate their photos. The “upside-down Matsumoto Castle,” perfectly reflected in the moat, offers a stunning and ethereal background, especially during sunrise and sunset. For a shot with an exquisite color scheme, be sure to include the castle and the vermilion-colored bridge over the moat. So, if you’re proud of your fashion, don’t miss this perfect photo opportunity!
- 📸 Guide’s Pro-Tip for the Perfect Shot: The best time for the “Upside-Down Castle” is a windless morning or evening. When the moat is as still as a mirror, the contrast between the black castle and the red bridge becomes a masterpiece of Japanese color!
2.3 Art
🗻The Black Masterpiece: Creating Your Own “100 Views of Matsumoto Castle”
- The high contrast of Matsumoto Castle’s black painted walls and white plaster is a work of art in itself. For art lovers, a walk around the castle with the keep at the center is highly recommended. Just as Mount Fuji shows different views from different angles in the famous series One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku Hyakkei), you might be able to create your very own photo book: One Hundred Views of Matsumoto Castle.
2.4 Food
🍞The Lost Samurai Rations: Savoring Rare “Miso Bread” Found Nowhere Else
- For many food lovers, horse sashimi is a popular choice around Matsumoto Castle, but you should also try miso bread, a local favorite. Although it was made throughout the country at the end of the samurai period as a preserved food for the army, today it is a valuable traditional pastry that only remains in this region. The unique combination of miso and bread, the lost samurai meal, may be surprisingly delicious, even to foreign gourmets.
2.5 The Japanese
🔪The Citizen Lords: Why Speaking Ill of This Castle is a Dangerous Taboo
- During Japan’s Warring States Period, there were said to be about 3,000 castles, but over the past 400 years, that number has drastically decreased. The government issued several policies to dismantle them, and only a handful, including Matsumoto Castle, remain as they were back then.A major reason for its survival was the strong support of its citizens. Therefore, it’s a huge taboo to speak ill of Matsumoto Castle while you are there. You might even feel a sense of fear that you’ll be sentenced to crucifixion or seppuku on the spot! Why? Because the current lords of Matsumoto Castle are its citizens.
Thank you & Afterwards
🔶Thank you so much for reading to the end! If you have any comments or requests, please feel free to reach out to us at the email address provided in the 📧Assistance & Services📞 section.🔶Gold💎v.4b.4b.4b/S2
