Matsumoto Castle Audio Guide
Explore Matsumoto Castle with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
Matsumoto Castle is a historic Japanese castle, renowned as one of the country's premier original castles. Its distinctive black exterior has earned it the nickname "Crow Castle" and it is a designated National Treasure.
What you will hear
The Black Gate (Kuromon)
The main entrance to the inner bailey, emphasizing the heavy fortifications required for a flatland castle.
The Five-Story Illusion
From the outside, the main keep appears to have five stories, but step inside and you will find a clever architectural trick waiting to be discovered.
The Honmaru Garden and Historical Origins
Discuss the castle's origins as Fukashi Castle and the transition to the Matsumoto Domain under the Ishikawa clan.
The Heart of Shinano
This map illustrates Shinano Province, the region we now know as Nagano, where Matsumoto Castle served as the vital center of power.
The Keep Foundation and First Floor
Enter the National Treasure keep to see the massive wooden support pillars and original 16th-century timber construction.
Foundations of a Treasure
Step onto the first floor to see the raw, massive wooden pillars that have supported this castle for over four hundred years.
The Gun Museum (Teppo Gura)
Located on the second floor, this collection showcases the matchlock firearms that revolutionized Japanese warfare.
Armor of the Defenders
This suit of samurai armor offers a glimpse into the daily reality for the soldiers who lived and worked within these black walls.
The Matchlock Revolution
These matchlock guns represent a technological shift that forced architects to completely rethink how castles were built and defended.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 16 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.