Structure of Japanese Castles
The structure for Japanese castles varies throughout different periods in history. Matsumoto Castle is the oldest existing castle in Japan and is formerly called Fukashi Castle. It was built in 1504 AD by Shimadachi Sadanaga of the Ogasawara clan. It is located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture and is within easy reach of Tokyo, Nagano and Hakuba, by road or rail. Matsumoto Castle is a flatland castle (hirajiro) because it is not built on a hilltop or amid rivers, but on a plain. The main structural features of Matsumoto Castle are shown below.