Japan's Oldest Castle! The Majestic Black "Matsumoto Castle"[4K] [No Commentary]

Walking and exploring the fascinating places of Nagano. Today's video, I'm going to show you Matsumoto Castle! Matsumoto Castle is a fortress boasting jet-black beauty, nestled in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Along with Himeji, Inuyama, Hikone, and Matsue castles, it is one of the five castles in Japan whose main keeps are designated as National Treasures. Centering on the Great Keep built during the Bunroku era (the 1590s), this castle complex boasts the oldest history among existing wooden keeps with a five-tiered, six-story structure (five tiers on the outside, six stories on the inside). Its greatest feature is the beautiful contrast between black and white, created by coating the upper walls with white plaster and the lower sections with black-lacquered weatherboards. This elegant black appearance has earned it the affectionate nickname "Karasu-jo" (Crow Castle). On clear days, the grand Northern Alps soaring in the background and the "inverted keep" reflected on the vast moat surrounding the castle merge into one, creating one of Japan's most picturesque, painting-like landscapes. In terms of architectural structure, the castle features an extremely rare "connected and composite" style that symbolizes the transition of eras. While the Great Keep and the Inui Small Keep are rugged, sturdy structures built with Sengoku-period (Warring States period) technology, they are integrated with the elegant Tatsumi附櫓 (Tatsumi Attached Tower) and Tsukimi Yagura (Moon-viewing Tower), which were added later during the peaceful Edo period. Inside the castle, numerous practical defense mechanisms remain, such as Sama (loopholes) for firing matchlocks, Ishi-otoshi (stone-drop chutes) to deter climbing enemies, thick pillars, and steep staircases. Yet, this coexists with the elegant Moon-viewing Tower equipped with vermilion-lacquered veranda railings—a unique structure unparalleled anywhere in the world. The castle also displays rich expressions throughout the four seasons. In spring, around 300 cherry trees bloom in full glory, and nighttime illuminations brilliantly color the water's surface. With the blue skies and fresh greenery of summer, the autumn foliage, and the dignified, snow-covered landscape of winter, the castle welcomes visitors with its beautiful scenery no matter what time of year. Combining high historical value with a unique aesthetic, this masterpiece of a castle continues to captivate people from both Japan and abroad, standing as a proud symbol of Japan to the world.