Matsue Castle

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Basic data

Facility summary and accessibility conditions

Matsue Castle is known for the resemblance of its gables to a bird deploying its wings.
It's been one of the 12 existing castle towers in Japan and it was designated as one of National Treasures in 2015.
The first lord of the castle, Lord Yoshiharu Horio, built the castle in 5 years, between 1607 and 1611.
The castle's gardens are famous for cherry and azalea blossoms.
At the time of cherry blossoms, a castle festival is conducted and the site is crowded with tourists.
With permission, you can go by car up to the park, but to get to the place in front of castle, it's necessary to go up stone stairs.
Therefore, wheelchair users can make a reservation for assistance to go up the stairs.
Because the castle tower is narrow inside and the stairs are steep, it's difficult to use a　wheelchair.
There's no lift.
Address 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue, Shimane Matsue Jōzan Park Office
Telephone 0852-21-4030 (Matsue Jōzan Park Office)
Fax 0852-21-4211
URL http://www.matsue-tourism.or.jp/m_castle/
E-mail o5.shiro@web-sanin.co.jp
Reception hours The Central Bailey (front area of the castle) open hours April - September: 7:00 - 19:30 October - March: 8:30 - 17:00The Castle Tower open hours April - September: 8:30 - 18:30 (last admission: 18:00) October - March: 8:30 - 17:00 (last admission: 16:30)
Regular holidays

Open throughout the year
Transportation, closest station, bus stop

Located at 2 km (1.2mi) from Matsue Station, it takes 30 minutes on foot, 10 minutes by the Lake Line Bus (one of three buses is a low floor bus).
Get off at the Ōte Mae bus stop, and 2 minutes on foot.
From Matsue Station, 10 minutes by City Bus North Loop outer line.
From Kenchō Mae bus stop 5 minutes on foot.
From Ichibata Railways Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station, 20 minutes on foot.
From Ichibata Railways Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station, 5 minutes by City Bus (North Loop inner line, all buses are low floor), get off at Kenchō Mae bus stop, and 5 minutes on foot.
Bumps at the entrance

Yes
20cm (7.8in)
The Central Bailey Ichinomon Gate
Entrance width

130cm (51.1in)
Accessible bathroom
Bathroom entrance width 100cm (39.4in)
Accessible parking space

Yes ( 2 )
The Municipal Ōte Mae parking space
Wheelchair loaning

Yes.
Tourism Information Center
Multilingual information Partially available
Display items with multilingual explanation Partially available
Multilingual pamphlets Partially available
Staff fluent in foreign languages

Not available.
Volunteer guides fluent in foreign language are available on Saturdays and Sundays.
Wifi connection Yes
Audio (English) guidance

Yes.
Inside the castle tower

Accesible data

Photo Comment
Slope Path connecting the Ninomaru area to the road between Kitasōmon Bridge and Inaribashi Bridge (gravel slope)
Tourism Information Center Tourism Information Center (at the Ōte Mae entrance).
Place for detailed tourism information about the castle.
If you need to know anything, visit here first.
Inside the accessible bathroom next to the Tourism Information Center Inside the accessible bathroom
Inside the accessible bathroom at the Ninomaru area Inside the accessible bathroom at the Ninomaru area.
The area around the accessible bathroom has gravel.
Stairs toward the castle tower area Stairs from the Ninomaru area to the castle tower area
Lift To go up the stairs between the Ninomaru and castle tower areas, assistance from the Jōzan Park Office is available upon prior request. (Matsue Jōzan Park Office). *Depending on your preferences, it’s also possible to get the wheelchair carried by several staff members.
In front of the castle tower entrance Castle tower entrance

Inspector’s comments

A wheelchair user (powered) / Male
Because there’s limited guidance for going up to the Ninomaru area, it’s necessary for wheelchair users to be informed in advance.
The main entrance, Ōte Mae area, is bumpy.
So wheelchairs and baby carriages are difficult to move.