During the Muromachi period, central Iyo Province was ruled by the Kōno clan from their stronghold at Yuzuki Castle.

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi conquered Shikoku, his general Katō Yoshiaki was rewarded for his services at the Battle of Shizugatake and In 1583 was appointed lord of Masaki with a kokudaka of 60,000 koku.

The shogunate then assigned Matsudaira Sadayuki from Kuwana Domain to govern the territory, which was reduced in size to 150,000 koku.

[3] Despite the domain's constant financial issues, the tenshu was rebuilt in 1854 by the 12th daimyō, Matsudaira Katsuyoshi, although it had been destroyed by lightning seventy years previously in 1784.

In 1935, the tenshu and 34 other structures were designated Important Cultural Properties; however, 11 buildings (including the Tenjin yagura) were destroyed in the Matsuyama Air Raid in World War II.

The Honmaru is an inner square central area with three corner yagura connected by barrack gates surrounding the tenshu.

The south and west edge of central area is protected by curved stone walls built utilizing the cliff as part of its natural defenses.

On the Taka-ishigaki stone walls overlooking the Tonashimon there is a Drum Tower (Taiko-yagura) with stone-dropping windows.