Castle town
Matsumae, located in southern Hokkaido near Cape Shirakami, is a historic former castle town and the northern limit of Japan during the Edo Period. The centerpiece is Matsumae Castle, Hokkaido’s only Japanese-style castle, now a modern reconstruction housing a history museum. Surrounding the castle is Matsumae Park, renowned for its 10,000 cherry trees of over 250 varieties, offering an extended sakura season from late April to late May. Visitors can also explore the temple district with some of Hokkaido’s oldest Buddhist structures, the Edo-period themed Matsumaehan Yashiki, and nearby hiking trails on Mount Shogun. Additionally, the neighboring Fukushima Town features the Seikan Tunnel Museum and the Yokozuna Museum, celebrating local sumo legends.
