Matsusaka Castle was built in 1588 by Gamo Ujisato (1556–1595), son-in-law of Oda Nobunaga, who administered the 120,000-koku Matsusaka domain in Ise Province. Ujisato constructed the castle on the hill of Iidaka and is said to have given the place the name 'Matsusaka' at this time. By introducing free-market rakuichi-rakuza policies, he attracted merchants and developed the castle town as a commercial city. Of the many places Ujisato served during his career across Ise and Oshu, Matsusaka Castle stands as his signature achievement in military and commercial administration. The surviving rough-stone walls are a remnant from Ujisato's era and preserve the spirit of Momoyama culture.

Matsusaka Castle was built in 1588 by Gamo Ujisato after he became a retainer of Hideyoshi following Nobunaga's death. Ujisato established the castle as a key stronghold in Ise Province, reportedly introducing free-market rakuichi-rakuza policies to develop the castle town. The surviving stone walls stand as a legacy of Hideyoshi's era of national unification.