Matsumoto Castle hosts National Treasure Week on 3 November
Published on 11/07/2026 at 16:41 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSWeek programme and castle history
- Matsumoto City Tourism organises events at Matsumoto Castle from 3 to 10 November 2026.
- The Taiko Gate viewing and castle exhibition connect the programme with the site's historic structures.
- Matsumoto Castle was constructed in 1594 and has five external stories but six internal floors.
Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto Castle Week are at the centre of a programme running from 3 to 10 November 2026 in Matsumoto, Japan. The event brings special access and cultural activities to one of the country's National Treasure castles.
Matsumoto Castle Week runs until 10 November
The week is organised around Matsumoto Castle Day on 10 November. The official programme includes a special public viewing of the Taiko Gate, a chrysanthemum exhibition, traditional taiko performances, an autumn tea ceremony and a ceremonial Japanese archery tournament. The event page lists Matsumoto Castle as the venue and gives the address as Marunouchi 4-1, Matsumoto City, Nagano.
The Taiko Gate viewing runs from 3 to 10 November. The Old Castle Taiko Performance is scheduled for 3 and 7 November, while the chrysanthemum exhibition continues from 29 October to 13 November. A panel exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of the former Kaichi School Building is also listed for 3 to 23 November. The official week programme identifies the dates and venue.
The Taiko Gate links the programme to 1594
The special access focuses attention on a named part of the castle complex rather than treating the grounds as a generic event space. The Taiko Gate is one of the structures presented in the castle's official visitor information, alongside the keep and the surviving tower group.
The main castle was constructed in 1594, according to the castle's official history. It is the oldest surviving example in Japan of a castle with five external stories and six internal floors. That combination makes the November programme particularly tied to the building itself: visitors encounter a historic gate and the castle's layered structure while the event presents local traditions.
The keep complex contains five National Treasure structures: the main keep, the small Inui Keep, Watari Tower, Tatsumitsuke Tower and Tsukimi Tower. The first three were built in the late sixteenth century, while the latter two were added about 40 years later during the early Edo period. The arrangement combines defensive architecture with later, more peaceful additions.
Historic structures shape the November programme
The official announcement also refers to a special exhibition about Matsumoto Castle and Chateau de Chambord in France. The two castles entered a sister-castle partnership in April 2026. The exhibition is located at the Taiko Gate and forms part of the week programme.
Other listed activities include the 26th Night Annual Grand Festival on 3 November and a commemorative lecture on the designation of Matsumoto Castle Day on 15 November. The lecture is a related event rather than part of the 3 to 10 November core period.
Visiting Matsumoto Castle: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Matsumoto Castle Week runs from 3 to 10 November 2026 at Matsumoto Castle, with the special Taiko Gate viewing taking place across that period.
- The programme includes the Taiko Gate viewing, taiko performances on 3 and 7 November, and the chrysanthemum exhibition through 13 November.
- The venue is at Marunouchi 4-1 in Matsumoto City, Nagano; the official event page identifies the castle as the venue.
- The castle is a flatland structure in a basin 590 metres above sea level, and its keep complex includes connected towers and passages.
- Japan's official language is Japanese and its national currency is the yen.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Matsumoto Castle on social platforms
These links open searches for Matsumoto Castle on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Matsumoto Castle
When does Matsumoto Castle Week take place at Matsumoto Castle?
Matsumoto Castle Week runs from 3 to 10 November 2026. Its special Taiko Gate viewing covers the same period.
What is Matsumoto Castle?
It is a National Treasure castle in Matsumoto, Japan, constructed in 1594. Its surviving complex includes five connected or adjoining National Treasure structures.
Where is Matsumoto Castle and how do you get there?
The castle is at Marunouchi 4-1 in Matsumoto City, Nagano. The official event listing gives this address as the venue for the November programme.
