Less than 5-minutes walk from the centre of the town’s Tourist Information Center, Matsushiro Castle Park is open all year round but at its most spectacular in spring, when the many cherry blossom trees within the former castle grounds come to bloom.

Sitting on the original stone walls and surrounded by former castle moat, all original buildings are now gone. Several buildings including the park’s impressive gate have been thoughtfully restored and the castle grounds are the focus for two popular festivals each year – the Matsushiro Spring Cherry Blossom Festival held on the second Saturday each April followed by the 2-day Matsushiro Autumn Sanada Clan Jumangoku Festival held on the second weekend each October.

No matter what time of year that you visit, spending a little time in the park is always pleasant and lends itself to some great photography.