Matsuyama Castle was built in the early seventeenth century on Mt. Katsuyama (132 m) in the center of the city. You can walk up the small mountain, or take a cable car or chair lift. It is one of twelve Japanese castles to have an original keep built before the end of the Edo period (1603–1867). It is a masterwork of castle defenses, with hidden gates, stone walls up to 17 meters tall, and elaborate containment zones. Inside are displays about the castle's history, including exhibits of armor, weapons, and ancient blueprints. The top floor of the keep affords views of downtown Matsuyama, the surrounding mountains, and the Seto Inland Sea. In the spring, the castle grounds are popular for their cherry blossoms.