Matsusaka Castle is located in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, and was built by Gamo Ujisato, a military commander active from the Sengoku period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Currently, the castle ruins are the remains of the stone walls of the Honmaru and Ninomaru, and the magnificent stone walls attract visitors. In particular, the high stone walls are distinctive, and convey the high castle-building technology of the time to the present. The castle ruins are a well-maintained park, and are dotted with places that recall the appearance of the time, such as the remains of the Honmaru and the castle tower.

The castle ruins are located on a small hill, and from the castle tower you can see a panoramic view of Matsusaka city and Ise Bay in the distance. In particular, it is known as a famous cherry blossom spot in spring, and is crowded with many cherry blossom viewers. At night, the castle ruins are lit up, allowing you to stroll around in a fantastic atmosphere. The area around the castle ruins is dotted with facilities where you can experience the history and culture of Matsusaka, such as the samurai group residence "Gojoban Yashiki", Matsusaka Shrine dedicated to Gamo Ujisato, the wealthy merchant's house "Hasegawa Jirobei House" that conveys the culture of Matsusaka merchants, and the Matsusaka Cotton Hand Weaving Center, so you can enjoy sightseeing in addition to the castle ruins.

[Trivia]
Gamo Ujisato, who built Matsusaka Castle, was the son-in-law of Oda Nobunaga, and is known as a man of culture who learned the tea ceremony from Sen no Rikyu and castle building techniques from Oda Nobunaga. The stone walls of Matsusaka Castle are highly regarded, known as "Ujisato-style stone walls" for their beauty and solidity. Matsusaka City is also famous as the birthplace of Matsusaka beef, one of the three major wagyu beef varieties in Japan.

[Hidden gems]
Matsusaka Merchant's House: A facility within walking distance of the Matsusaka Castle ruins that opens the mansion of a wealthy merchant from the Edo period to the public. You can learn about the lifestyle of merchants at the time and the activities of Matsusaka merchants.

Castle Guard Residence: This was the residence of the Kishu clan samurai who guarded Matsusaka Castle during the Edo period, and is a rare historic site that is still inhabited today. Parts of it are open to the public, allowing you to get a glimpse into the lives of the samurai of that time.