Matsuyama Castle and Ninomaru Historical Garden

[Introduction]

I traveled to Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture, for 4 days and 3 nights. The main purpose of this trip was to watch Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 on the last 2 days. My favorite Milan, which is the mascot character of Ehime Prefecture, did not participate in the contest, but entertained other local mascot characters and the audience as a host of the event with Barysan, Imabari city’s mascot character. I also participated in a PR event for the Grand Prix and did some sightseeing. In this article, I will write about Matsuyama Castle and Ninomaru Historical Garden as part of Day 2.

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Day 1 (1) Yuru-chara Grand Prix PR event 1 (Okaido and Gintengai)
* Day 1 (2) Yuru-chara Grand Prix PR event 2 (Ropeway street and Dogo Onsen)
* Day 1 (3) Dogo Onsen (Light up)
* Day 2 (1) Mican Center at Ehime prefectural government office
* Day 2 (2) Ninomaru Historical Garden and Matsuyama Castle [This article]
* Day 2 (3) Matsuyama Castle (Light up)
* Day 3 (1) Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 1st day part 1
* Day 3 (2) Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 1st day part 2
* Day 3 (3) Okaido (Bansuiso Villa and Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum etc.)
* Day 4 (1) Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 2nd day part 1
* Day 4 (2) Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 2nd day part 2
* Day 4 (3) Matsuyama City Station (Tram, Matsuchika Town etc.)

[Travel Date]
2016.11.03-06

[Main Part]

Following the previous post, I visited Matsuyama Castle and Ninomaru Historical Garden. I have been to both of the places, so this was my second visit.

Before visiting them, I had a lunch.

Uwajima Tai Meshi (Sea bream rice) at Kadoya

I went to Kadoya for lunch.

Kadoya is a restaurant which serves local dishes in Ehime.

I ordered “Uwajima Taimeshi-zen”

Ninomaru Historical Garden

I moved to Ninomaru Historical Garden after lunch.

Kindergarten pupils who came to Ninomaru Historical Garden for excursion.

Here is the entrance of Ninomaru Historical Garden.

Ninomaru Historical Garden is the place that used to be a residence of former local lords during Edo era, and is now turned to be a historical garden.

Just after I entered into the entrance, I was able look down to the site of “Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 ” which will start from the next day.

The most popular spots in Ninomaru Historical Garden is “Ryu-sui-en”, which illustrates the room layout of former residence with water, gravel and grass.

This is “Rinsen-tei garden”.

Then, I left for the next destination, Matsuyama Castle.

Matsuyama Castle (from ropeway to Honmaru square)

I arrived at the ropeway station. There was a panel of “Botchan”, a famous Japanese novel written by Soseki Natsume, since Matsuyama is the place where the novel was dipcted.

Here is the panel of “Saka no ueno kumo”, another famous Japanese novel.

I went to the top of mountain where Matsuyama Castle was built.

Another way to go to the castle was to use lift.

After I got off the ropeway, I headed to Honmaru square where the tower of Matsuyama Caslte was located.

I reached Honmaru square.

Here is one of the popular photos spots whrere visitors can take picutres with Yoshiaki-kun, the mascot character of Matsuyama Castle.

Other snap photos.

Matsuyama Castle (Castle Tower)

Then, I moved to the castle tower.

In the tower.

There were a variety of exhibitions.

Swords.

Armors.

The emblem of Matsuyama Castle.

View from the tower.

I arrived at the top of the tower.

Here are views from the top of thr tower.

Then, I left the castle tower.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about Matsuyama Castle and Ninomaru Historical Garden as part of Day 2. Matsuyama Castle is one of only twelve surviving castle towers built during or before the Edo period. When I revisited it this time, I realized Matsuyama Castle should be a must spot to go in Matsuyama city. If I have another chance to visit it, I would like to go there in April to see cherry blossoms, since Matsuyama Castle is also famous for its bueatiful cherry blossoms 🙂

Regarding castles in Japan, I found I have visited a lot of castles. If you are interested in some of them, please check the following links: