Matsumae has been on my checklist for a very long time, however I used to be intentional about not going there at simply anytime of 12 months. On paper, this won’t make a lot sense.
The city’s largest declare to fame, to make certain, is that it’s dwelling to Hokkiado’s solely fortress. Seeing this could, no less than in idea, be a reasonably evergreen expertise. The factor is, it’s additionally some of the famend hanami spots in Hokkaido (which, to be truthful, shouldn’t be generally called a sakura wonderland); I wished to verify my first time coincided with the bloom.
At present, I purpose to reply a easy (however loaded) query: Is Matsumae price visiting? The reply is unquestionably sure, although I’ll be unpacking some nuance over the following few paragraphs.
Why It Took Me So Lengthy to Go to Matsumae
I began researching issues to do in Matsumae a very long time in the past, however revisited the subject in earnest throughout my 2025 autumn journey to Japan. At the moment, I had half of one in every of my days in Hakodate free, and thought of driving right down to Matsumae. Though I knew the city (and its fortress) had been finest identified for his or her sakura-season magnificence, I figured each could be attractive throughout fall colour season as nicely.
Because it seems, nonetheless, I ended up going to Onuma Quasi-national Park (which is evident on the opposite website of the town from Matsumae) as an alternative, which ended up being a better option on two fronts, most significantly that it’s well-known as a koyo spot. Anyway, I knew even again then that I deliberate to be within the Hakodate space the next spring, so it wasn’t too laborious to delay my journey (which I’d waited over a decade to take, by that time) for a couple of extra months.
Issues to Know About Visiting Matsumae
You may get there utilizing public transportation
Reaching Matsumae through public transportation is comparatively simple. First, you must experience a Shinkansen to Kikonai Station, be that coming from the north (i.e. Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station) or the south, most likely no additional south than Shin-Aomori. From there, common buses (that are normally timed to coincide with practice arrivals) can take you the additional ~90 minutes to Matsumae Citadel.
(However a automobile will make it simpler)
I do know I’m a damaged file, however having your individual automobile makes it a lot simpler to journey from Hakodate to Matsumae, because it does in most with every other vacation spot pair in Japan, with the attainable exception of these involving very massive cities. In my case, on this final journey, renting a automobile allowed me to spend half a day in Matsumae, after which get again to Hakodate in time to see the sakura at Goryokaku earlier than sundown.
Matsumae Citadel is the one one in Hokkaido
Hokkaido is dwelling to extra historic constructions than individuals anticipated, from the aforementioned Goryokaku, to the Former Hokkaido Authorities Workplace Constructing in Sapporo. Nonetheless, it’s vital to keep in mind that Matsumae Citadel is the one fortress on your complete island of Hokkaido. After all, whereas the unique fortress was inbuilt 1606, the present construction is a whole copy, which solely dates again to the mid-Twentieth century.
(And a unbelievable sakura spot)
Unique fortress or not, the Matsumae Cherry Blossom Pageant is understood throughout Hokkaido due to a couple of various factors. Specifically, along with the truth that there are dozens of cherry bushes on website, there are a number of completely different species, which all bloom at completely different occasions. Because of this in a standard 12 months, nicely over a month passes between the primary buds forming and the final petals falling, normally between mid-April and mid-to-late Could. This implies it’s one of many best locations for a assured sakura sightin!
Matsumae is a genuinely lovely city
Matsumae is small, and the fortress dominates it visually, it doesn’t matter what your vantage level of the city is. With this being mentioned, it’s merely a stunning city, whether or not you’re standing on the bridge by the (very worthwhile) Michi-no-eki stand and searching again on the fortress, or as an alternative staring out to sea, above which you’ll see the landmass of Honshu towering above the Tsugaru Strait.
Different Issues to Do in Southern Hokkaido
Southern Hokkaido, except for Hakodate metropolis itself, is considerably uncared for. Listed here are a couple of methods which you can spend your time:
- Clearly, as you’ll know in case you’ve learn my content material about it, Hakodate greater than lives as much as the hype, significantly throughout sakura season however actually, all 12 months spherical.
- As I discussed myself having completed earlier on this submit, you may go by practice or rental automobile and journey northward to Onuma Quasi-national Park, particularly in case you’re there within the autumn.
- Although not technically within the southern Hokkaido area, Noboribetsu Onsen is doable as a day journey from Hakodate. Alternatively, journey southward over the Tsugaru Strait to Aomori prefecture.
Different FAQ About Visiting Matsumae
When do cherry blossoms bloom at Matsumae Citadel?
In a standard 12 months, cherry blossoms at Matsumae Citadel begin blooming in late April and, due to the big variety of species there, can keep in bloom for as much as a month. If sakura season in the remainder of Japan is early or late, nonetheless, this could replicate when Matsumae’s flowers attain full bloom.
Is Matsumae Citadel the one one in Hokkaido?
Matsumae Citadel is the one fortress on the island of Hokkaido. Whereas it’s comparatively spectacular, it’s vital to comprehend that it’s not one in every of Japan’s 12 “authentic” castles. The northernmost one in every of these is in Hirosaki, in Aomori prefecture about two hours south of Matsumae.
What’s there to do in Matsumae?
As you may think, a lot of what there may be to do in Matsumae facilities across the city’s fortress, and its cherry blossom competition, which takes place between mid-April and late-Could yearly. Nevertheless, I additionally like visiting the city’s Michi-no-eki to savor candy treats, and to get a unbelievable view of the city.
The Backside Line
Is Matsumae price visiting? Sure—and never simply due to its superior sakura, or the truth that it’s dwelling to Hokkaido’s solely fortress. Matsumae is a captivating and impossibly scenic city, cradled alongside an exceptionally attractive stretch of the southern Hokkaido coast, with views of Honshu throughout the Tsugaru Strait on a transparent day. I’m happy that I waited till I had time to go to when its cherry blossoms had been at their peak, although I don’t doubt I’d have beloved it throughout different months of the 12 months—I believe I’ll go subsequent time in autumn. Whether or not you intend to come back right here as a day journey from Hakodate or keep in a single day, fee a customized Japan itinerary to verify Matsumae nests completely inside your bigger journey.