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Hokkaido’s only castle town facing the Tsugaru Strait, Matsumae is known as Little Kyoto of the North, and the former feudal political center in Ezo. You can easily get around the castle on foot. More than 10,000 cherry trees (250 species in total) blossom in the castle and its temple town from mid April to mid May.
TRANSPORT
Take the Hakodate Bus from Hakodate Station to Matsushiro (松城) or Karatsu (唐津: 3hr) via Kikonai Station (1.5hr). Matsushiro bus stop (one stop east of Karatsu) has several lockers.
Itinerary
▼ 10min walk
▼ 3min walk
▼ 7min walk
▼ 10min walk
▼ 4min walk
ROADSIDE STATION
Michi-no-eki Kitamaebune Matsumae
道の駅北前船松前
▶︎ 1min walk from Karatsu bus stop / 4min walk from Matsushiro bus stop
This ocean-front michi-no-eki (roadside station) is a good base of explore the town. The shokudo boasts the Tairyo-kun donburi (seafood bowl) and maguro (tuna) cuisines.
CASTLE
Matsumae-jo
松前城
▶︎ 5min walk from Matsushiro bus stop / 10min walk from Michi-no-eki Kitamaebune Matsumae
Perched on the hill overlooking the Tsugaru Strait, Matsumae-jo is Japan’s northernmost and last traditional castle. The castle was built in 1854 by the daimyo Matsumae Takahiro. The present castle tower was rebuilt in 1961 and the inside is a castle museum (10 Apr-10 Dec), which displays historic documents and art relating to the Matsumae clan.
TEMPLE DISTRICT
Tera-machi District
寺町
▶︎ 3min walk from Matsumae-jo
North side of Matsumae-jo is the Tera-machi district, there are five historic temples and the Matsumae Lord’s Graves (including hidden Christians) surrounded by pine trees.
MUSEUM
Matsumae Han-Yashiki
松前藩屋敷
▶︎ 7min walk from Tera-machi District
This reconstruction of the castle town has 14 traditional buildings of the Matsumae clan, which includes the magistrate’s office, rich samurai house, inn, merchant house, fisherman’s house and barber shop. You can dressed in samurai, ninja or kimono costume and wander through the Han-yashiki.
STREET
Joka-dori
城下通り
▶︎ 10min walk from Matsumae Han-Yashiki
Joka-dori street is lined with souvenir, seafood, sweet and handmade craft shops. Matsumae-zuke (松前漬) is a national-famous pickled dish using kelp and dried squid. You can try or buy it at the local souvenir shops.
Photo: Jalan.net
ONSEN (SPONSORED)
Onsen Ryokan Yano
温泉旅館矢野
▶︎ 1min walk from Joka-dori / 5min walk from Matsushiro bus stop
This long-established onsen ryokan is the best location and value in town, with 28 Japanese-style rooms. Nonguests can use their restaurant and onsen. Request a castle-view room and the local speciality dish hanshu ryori.