Matsusaka Castle was built in 1588 by Gamo Ujisato. The keep is gone, but the stone walls remain, climbing in tiers above the city and giving broad views over the old town. The site is now a park, good in cherry blossom season and still worth visiting outside it.
The ruins are the natural starting point for Matsusaka. From here it is an easy walk to the samurai residences, the Motoori Norinaga sites, and the small history museums around the castle hill.