The Matsuyama "Dansemble"! Introducing Matsuyama Castle Through an Entertaining Dance Performance!

This video, titled "(Matsuyama City Official PR Video) Matsuyama Castle 'Dansemble'" (【松山市公式PR動画】 松山城 「段サンブル」) was created by "Matsuyama City Official Sightseeing PR Channel - matsuyama-sightseeing" (【松山市公式】観光PRチャンネル - matsuyama-sightseeing).

The video opens with Matsuyama Castle's mascot "Yoshiaki-kun" (よしあきくん) and then proceeds to introduce the castle itself starting with the castle keep from 0:03.
From 0:09 in the video you can see the ropeway that takes visitors to the mountaintop station "Chojaganaru" (長者ヶ平).
Other spots around the castle are also introduced, including the Japanese armor experience corner, the gates Tonashimon (戸無門), Kakuremon (隠門), Taikomon (太鼓門), and Ichinomon (一ノ門), as well as Kotenshu (小天守) and Honmaru Hiroba (本丸広場).
Matsuyama Castle staff and visitors give a tour of each area whilst performing a comical and entertaining dance.

More About the History and Highlights of Matsuyama Castle

Photo：Matsuyama Castle, Ehime Prefecture

Matsuyama Castle is located in Matsuyama City (松山市, matsuyamashi), Ehime Prefecture and also goes by the names Kinki-jo (金亀城) and Katsuyama-jo (勝山城).
The name Iyo Matsuyama Castle (伊予松山城, iyomatsuyamajou) is also used to distinguish Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture from the Matsuyama Castle of a different area.
Matsuyama Castle was built by Yoshiaki Kato (加藤嘉明) in 1602 after the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い, sekigaharanotatakai) and Gamo Tadatomo (蒲生忠知) later became the first feudal lord of the Matsuyama Domain in Iyo Province.
Matsuyama Castle's mascot "Yoshiaki-kun" was named after Yoshiaki Kato.

The large castle tower, which is one of twelve castle towers built before the Edo Period (1603 AD - 1868 AD), has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The castle buildings are spread across several areas of the mountain: the Honmaru (本丸, inner bailey) is situated on top of the mountain, Ninomaru (二の丸, outer bailey) and Sannomaru (三の丸, third bailey) at the southwest foot of the mountain, Kitakuruwa (北曲輪) to the north at the foot of the mountain, and Higashikuruwa (東曲輪) to the east, also at the foot of the mountain.
From the top of the main tower you can get a spectacular view of the Matsuyama plains (松山平野, matsuyamaheiya) as well as the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海, setonaikai).

The stone wall or "Noboriishigaki" (登り石垣), which surrounds the Ninomaru and Honmaru castle buildings was designed to protect the castle, and the entire Shiroyama Park area (城山公園, shiroyamakouen), which includes Horinouchi (堀之内) is an important Japanese historic site.

Highlights of Matsuyama Castle

Photo：Matsuyama Castle light up, Ehime Prefecture

Matsuyama Castle came in second on Trip Advisor's list of top Japanese Castles in 2014.
It has also been voted as one of the top three hilltop castles in Japan, one of Japan's 100 most famous castles, one of the top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, one of the top 100 historic spots of Japan, and also one of the top 100 historic parks of Japan (in 2006).

Matsuyama Castle can be enjoyed during the day but also looks spectacular lit up at night.
The beautiful historical garden "Shisekiteien" (史跡庭園) and Horinouchi Park (堀之内公園, horinouchikouen) are fantastic places to enjoy nature and many people visit each year for cherry blossom viewing and birdwatching.

Summary of Matsuyama Castle

Photo：Cherry blossoms & Matsuyama Castle, Ehime Prefecture

If you decide to visit Matsuyama Castle, you're likely to be greeted by some of the friendly staff featured in this PR video.
If you enjoyed watching the video, consider planning a trip to Matsuyama for some sightseeing!
There are many tourist spots in the area surrounding the castle, such as the famous hot spring "Dogo Onsen" (道後温泉).
Ichiroku Tart (一六タルト) and mandarin oranges ("mikan" in Japanese) make great souvenirs from this area!

◆Matsuyama Castle｜General Information◆
【Address】Matsuyama Castle General Office (総合事務所, sougoujimusho), Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama City, Okaido (大街道, ookaidou) 3-2-46
【Access】5 minute walk from Iyotetsu Jonan Line (伊予鉄道城南線, iyotetsudoujounansen) Okaido station.
【Admission Fee】Adults – 520 yen, Children – 160 yen
【Average Time Spent Here】60-90 minutes
【Parking】Available (fee required)
【Telephone】Matsuyama Castle General Office 089-921-4873

【Tripadvisor】Matsuyama Castle
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298230-d320876-Reviews-Matsuyama_Castle-Matsuyama_Ehime_Prefecture_Shikoku.html