The historic Nagano town, Matsushiro Nagano is a must see historical Japan town.
Historical Town Nagano
Matsushiro Nagano is a must-visit for the Japanese culture and history buff
Looking to visit a historic Nagano town? Matsushiro Nagano should definitely be on your list! It’s a must-visit for the Japanese culture and history buff wanting to see a historical Japan town.
Matsushiro Nagano
A guide for first time visitors to this historic Nagano town
Matsushiro was once a town in its own right and is now part of Nagano City, about 12 km south of the city centre and easy to reach. Its castle is a reminder of the days when Matsushiro was a notable domain of the Sanada family. As a result, the area still has the samurai houses, temples and gardens of its castle-town past. Visitors can also explore several interesting museums, which makes Matsushiro one of the best places to experience historical Nagano.
Other historic Nagano sites: Togakushi Village | Zenkoji Temple | Togura Kamiyamada | Matsumoto Castle
Historical Japan town: Matsushiro Nagano Castle Ruins
Samurai – Japanese warriors who were skilled in military strategy and swordsmanship. They were known for their mastery of the sword, their fearlessness in battle and their code of honor called “bushido” which dictated their way of life. Although everyone in the world has probably heard of them, many may not be able to imagine what a samurai’s house is like.
Have you always wanted to see how samurai lived and learn more about them? Then there is no better place to visit than the historical Nagano town of Matsushiro! Discover what the lives of samurai were like and delve into the history of the famous samurai clan that ruled Matsushiro during the Edo Period: the Sanada clan.
Originally called Kaizu Castle, Matsushiro Castle was built in 1560 on the orders of the warlord Shingen Takeda. He needed a stronghold against his rival Kenshin Uesugi in the fight for northern Nagano. Although it stands on flatland, the nearby Chikuma River and surrounding mountains gave it a strategic advantage. Even so, the Takeda clan eventually lost the castle to other lords.
Rise of the Sanada Clan
Later, the castle passed to the Sanada clan, who rose to prominence during the Sengoku (Warring States) Period as vassals of the Takeda and then the Toyotomi regime. Although not the most powerful clan, they were famous for their strategic talent and survival skills. In 1622, they moved from Ueda to Matsushiro, renamed the castle, and ruled the domain for 10 generations until the domain system was abolished.
Today, the castle is a National Historic Site (designated 1981) and one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles. However, it was destroyed several times over the centuries, so the structures you see now are faithful reconstructions.
A visit to the castle in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom is highly recommended, as the area around the castle walls and the inner courtyard will be colored pink due to the cherry blossoms planted there.
Book a Private Nagano Transfer
Historic Nagano town: Sanada Festival
Sanada Juumangoku Matsuri: Matsushiro’s Samurai Parade
Held every year in mid-October, the Sanada Juumangoku Matsuri honours the samurai clan that ruled Matsushiro for about 250 years. The festival is a lively parade of participants dressed as samurai, princesses, foot soldiers, ninja and other historical figures. As a result, it feels like watching the procession of a feudal lord in the Edo period.
Starting at Matsushiro Castle, the parade winds through the historic castle town. Lord Sanada rides on horseback, followed by flagbearers carrying banners with the family crest, the “rokumonsen”. If you are in Nagano Prefecture in October, therefore, this historical Japan town festival is well worth a visit.
Historic Nagano town: Former Sanada Family Residence
From the castle, head straight down to Matsushiro’s historic town centre, where its charm becomes clear. Narrow streets, white plaster walls and scattered Edo-style houses make it feel like stepping back a couple of centuries. Thanks to the lack of tall or modern buildings, the old-Japan atmosphere is remarkably well preserved. Consequently, Matsushiro has often served as a film location.
Among its historic buildings, the former Sanada residence is arguably the most famous. The 9th Sanada lord built it for his mother-in-law and later used it himself after retirement. The family kept it until 1966, when they donated it to Nagano City. Like the castle, it was designated a National Historic Site in 1981.
Clearly, no expense was spared. The residence has 53 rooms, many decorated with elegant wallpaper that reflects the family’s wealth. Outside, a beautiful garden with a small shrine invites a relaxing stroll, and it is easy to imagine living here in this historical Japan town.
Matsushiro Accommodation
Matsushiro, on the edge of Nagano City, offers a quiet alternative to the busy city centre. Choose from traditional ryokan with soothing hot spring baths, small guesthouses and simple business hotels, many within easy reach of historic sites and local trails.
Nearby Nagano Station has more options, especially in a more budget range, and the Shinkansen makes onward travel simple.
Matsushiro Nagano: Sanada Treasures Museum
Located close to the Sanada residence is another building that packs a lot of information about this historic Nagano town. With over 50,000 items including such things as full suits of armor, paintings and old documents written by warlords that have been collected and handed down by members of the Sanada family throughout the years, the museum is indeed a treasure trove of authentic items from the age of samurai. All items are beautifully displayed behind glass panes so you can get a close-up look. The displays in the exhibition rooms are rotated four times a year.
Before the exit, you’ll pass through a room called the “Waku Waku Room” and it features a stage and several replicas of samurai armor and kimono that you can freely try on. If you want to feel like a true samurai, don’t miss this change to take a commemorative photo here!
Matsushiro Nagano: Chokokuji Temple
The last Sanada-related stop is Chokokuji Temple, the clan’s family temple. Its roof is decorated with the Sanada crest, the “rokumonsen”, named after six “mon” coins. In Buddhist teaching, these coins were needed to cross the river of death. Therefore, the crest showed that the Sanada were unafraid of death and ready to die in battle.
Behind the temple lies the family graveyard, where the Matsushiro lords are buried, along with two mausoleums. Because a large wooden fence surrounds the area, ask at the small office to the right of the entrance. If possible, staff will unlock the gate and show you around.
The mausoleums at this historical Japan town belong to the first lord, Nobuyuki Sanada and the fourth lord. Nobuyuki’s mausoleum is an Important Cultural Asset, and for an extra fee, you can see inside. Finally, the Sanada family grave stands just to the right.
Matsushiro Nagano Underground Headquarters
Although the Sanada were Matsushiro’s most important samurai clan, many other samurai residences are scattered across this historic Nagano town. In addition, Matsushiro holds some surprising history of a different kind: during the final days of World War II, part of the area was planned as a strategic stronghold.
Known as the Matsushiro Daihonei (Zozan Underground Imperial Headquarters), this network of tunnels was dug by Korean forced labourers. It was meant to be a secure refuge for the Emperor and the Imperial Japanese government. Today, visitors can walk a 500-metre section of tunnel. Moreover, a small museum beside the main entrance documents the brutal treatment of the workers, making it a sobering but worthwhile stop.
How to Get to Matsushiro Nagano
To get to Matsushiro, take the bus from Nagano Station and get off at the Matsushiro Station bus stop (more info at the end of the blog). Matsushiro is a rather compact town, so you can walk around and visit the historic spots mentioned in this blog on foot if you’d like or get a rental bicycle from the Tourist Information Center which you’ll find if you follow the road down south past the former Matsushiro Station. You can also pick up a map of the area here if you haven’t got one yet. Go a little further from there and you’ll come across the first important remnant of a time when samurai roamed Japan.
Matsushiro is only about half an hour away from Nagano City by bus. To get to Matsushiro, catch Bus #30 from Bus Stop #3 near the Nagano Station Zenkoji Exit (see below). Get off at the Matsushiro Station (Matsushiro Eki) bus stop. Click here for the timetable.
Driving is a good option if you plan to explore the wider Nagano area. The town is reached via the Joshin-etsu Expressway and takes roughly three hours from Tokyo, depending on traffic. Most accommodations offer parking, but check when booking.
Nagano Car Rental
If you are wanting to self drive and explore the area, car hire is available in both Tokyo and Nagano for viewing other sites in the region. Go here to get the best deals on Nagano car rentals.
Matsushiro Nagano Live Cam
Japan Historic Town: Video
Video of how to visit this historic Japan town
Tags: Historic Nagano Town, Matsushiro Nagano, Samurai Nagano, Samurai Town Japan, Matsushiro Daihonei, Matsushiro Tunnels, Zozan Underground Imperial Headquarters, Japan WW2 Tunnels, Maps, directions, Matsushiro hotels.
