Hello! This is Emily, castle tour guide and interpreter.

The 2 day of the last week I visited Matsuyama to celebrate my marrige aniversary.

It is said that we had more than 170 castles nationwide during Edo, Tokugawa shogunate period. Due to civil wars and Meiji governmental orders, most of the federal castles was dismantled or burned.
How many castles do remain its original style?

Only twelve castles has its original architectural styles. Thinking the war and chaotic circumstances,these are miraculous to be remained.

History of 12 Original Japanese Castles
1. Bitchū Matsuyama Castle
2. Hikone Castle
3. Himeji Castle
4. Hirosaki Castle
5. Inuyama Castle
6. Kōchi Castle
7. Marugame Castle
8. Maruoka Castle
9. Matsue Castle
10. Matsumoto Castle
11. Matsuyama Castle (Iyo)
12. Uwajima Castle

Matsuyama castle is one of them!
It is definitely worth visiting!

Matsuyama castle had beautiful concave curve and screen-folding style stone wall.
And nobori ishigaki, acending stonewall.