The International Scientific Committee for Fortification and Military Heritage (ICOFORT), one of ICOMOS’s scientific committees, is responsible for the conservation and research of so-called military heritage, including castles, fortresses and fortified towns. It has been assessing the heritage value of such sites scattered across the globe, proposing conservation measures and promoting academic research. While its activities were initially centred on Europe and the Americas, in recent years it has been actively expanding its work to include East Asia.

Japan’s early modern castles are the focus of ICOFORT’s keen interest as a cultural heritage to be proud of on the world stage. The walled cities of China (Ming and Qing dynasties) and the capital cities of Korea (Joseon dynasty), built during the same period, are also subjects of heritage conservation and joint research with a view to World Heritage inscription, attracting international attention supported by public participation. Consequently, ICOFORT has planned the publication of a glossary of fortification terminology—a common manual for Japan, China and Korea—and work on this is currently proceeding vigorously.

To take this opportunity to open up Japan’s fortified cities to the world and promote exchange between experts and citizens on a global scale, it has been decided to hold the ICOFORT International Conference in Matsue this coming November. With the strong support of the three cities (Matsue, Inuyama and Matsumoto) that are home to National Treasure castle tenshus, we plan to exchange a wide range of views on issues relating to castles and fortifications from ancient times to the present day through a commemorative symposium and an academic conference, thereby deepening international exchange in this field. We also hope that participants will enjoy the Japanese castle heritage and landscapes distributed from Izumo to Shinano and Owari through the excursion.

Papers will be presented in accordance with standard academic conference procedures: interested parties should first submit an abstract, and those whose abstracts are accepted will then be invited to submit their full papers. We look forward to welcoming a wide range of participants.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Riichi Miyake, chairman

ICOFORTInternational Conferenc 2026 in Matsue Executive Committee

November 8 (Sun) – 11 (Wed), 2026
International Conference (Commemorative Symposium & Academic Sessions)
Matsue Terrsa
478-18 Asahi-machi, Matsue City, Shimane 690-0003, Japan (next to JR Matsue Station)

*The working languages of the conference will be Japanese and English.

November 12 (Thu) – 14 (Sat), 2026
Post-Conference Excursion
Excursions are planned to Izumo, Matsumoto, and Inuyama.

Key Dates

• April 13, 2026: Call for Papers Announcement (2nd Circular)
• April 13 – June 22, 2026: Abstract Submission Period (extended from the original deadline of June 1)
• June 1, 2026: Excursion Details Announcement (3rd Circular)
• By July 13, 2026: Notification of Abstract Review Results (extended from the original date of June 22)
• June 23 – July 22, 2026: Conference Registration Period (advance registration available)
• June 23 – August 31, 2026: Excursion Registration Period
• July 14 – October 5, 2026: Full Paper Submission Period
• July 20, 2026: Conference Details Announcement (4th Circular)
• October 19, 2026: Distribution of Presenter List and Program

“Castles, Fortifications, and Tenshu: Defensive Systems or Symbols?”

[Conference Registration Fee]

The registration fee for the international conference to be held on November 8 ~ 11 is as follows: USD 200

• The fee is the same for both presenters and non-presenting participants (observers).
• Participation in the commemorative symposium only is free of charge.
• Registration will open on June 23 via [here].
  Those who wish to register in advance are kindly requested to contact the secretariat.

[Fee Includes]

• Access to all conference sessions (academic presentations)
• Conference materials
• Welcome reception on Sunday, November 8
• Site visits in Matsue on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 11

■ Fee Excludes

• Travel, accommodation, and meals
• Participation in the excursion program after the afternoon of November 11
  (Excursions require an additional fee.)

■ Accommodation

As November is a peak tourist season in Matsue, the organizers will assist with hotel reservations upon request.
(Further details will be provided after registration.)

■ Excursion

The excursion program scheduled from the afternoon of November 11 will require a separate fee from the conference registration.

* Details of the excursion and participation fees will be announced on this website on June 1.
* Participants wishing to join are requested to register after the announcement.

Submission Guidelines

Those who wish to present at the academic conference are required to submit a paper in advance.
The submission process will follow a two-stage system. First, authors are required to submit an abstract. Only those whose abstracts are accepted through peer review will be invited to submit a full paper.

The proceedings may be written in either Japanese or English.

* Submissions and the review process will be conducted in accordance with the schedule below.
* Submissions received after the deadlines will, in principle, not be accepted.

Submission Schedule

• Call for Papers Announcement: April 13, 2026
• Abstract Submission Period: April 13 – June 22, 2026  (extended from the original deadline of June 1)
• Notification of Abstract Review Results: by July 13, 2026  (extended from the original date of June 22)
• Full Paper Submission Period: July 14 – October 5, 2026
• Distribution of Presenter List and Program: October 19, 2026

Abstract Submission

Abstracts should be submitted to the organizing secretariat in both PDF and Word formats.

• For submissions in English: approximately 400 words
• Please use the designated format available [here].

Submission Address

ICOFORT International Conference 2026 in Matsue – Organizing Secretariat
Email: [email protected]

Full Paper

The full paper should be approximately 4,000 words in English or 8,000 in Japanese characters.
A maximum of 10 figures and photographs may be included.

* Detailed instructions and formatting guidelines will be provided at the time of notification of abstract acceptance.

The overarching theme of the ICOFORT International Conference 2026 in Matsue is:
“Castles, Fortifications, and Tenshu: Defensive Systems or Symbols?”

Submitted papers will be assigned to interdisciplinary sessions according to their content.
Authors are encouraged to consider the following thematic areas when preparing their manuscripts:

a) Defensive Systems and Technologies for Cities and Settlements
b) Military Landscapes and Symbolism
c) Castles/Fortifications and Water Systems
d) Naval Affairs and Ports
e) Modern Military Facilities and War-related Sites
f) Documentation, Conservation, and Management of Military Heritage

Participants who require a visa to enter Japan will be supported by the organizing secretariat, including the issuance of invitation letters for visa applications.

The organizing secretariat has provisionally reserved rooms at the following hotels for four nights (November 7–11).
Participants who wish to use these accommodations are kindly requested to contact the secretariat.

1. Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu
2. Hotel Route-Inn Matsue
3. Matsue Plaza Hotel
4. Toyoko Inn Matsue Ekimae

An excursion is planned according to the following schedule.

• Participation in the excursion requires an additional fee separate from the conference registration.
• Details of the excursion, including fees, will be announced on this website on June 1. Participants wishing to join are requested to register after the announcement.

November 11 (Wed)

• Afternoon: Transfer to Izumo (by bus)
• Accommodation: Izumo (Dormy Inn Izumo)

November 12 (Thu)

• Full day: Visits to heritage sites in the Izumo region, including Izumo Taisha Shrine, traditional tatara iron production sites, and medieval fortifications
• Accommodation: Izumo

November 13 (Fri)

• Morning: Flight from Izumo Airport to Komaki Airport, followed by transfer to Matsumoto by bus
• Afternoon: Visits to Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto City Museum, Kaichi School, etc.
• Accommodation: Matsumoto

November 14 (Sat)

• Morning: Transfer from Matsumoto to Inuyama
• Afternoon: Visits to Inuyama Castle and the Inuyama Cultural History Museum
• Evening: Transfer to Nagoya and dismissal
• Accommodation: Optional overnight stay in Nagoya

November 15 (Sun) (Optional)

• Morning: Visit to Nagoya Castle

* Please note that the above schedule is provisional and subject to change.
* The final itinerary, fees, and registration procedures will be announced on this website on June 1.
* Participants are kindly requested to complete payment for the excursion by early August.