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Destinations... Japan Travel Guide The Yamasa Institute |
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Destinations... Japan Travel Guide The Yamasa Institute |
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Edited by: Declan Murphy Recommended: Suggested Itineraries Favorite Nagano moments... Best ways to get there Nagano Photogallery Newsgroups: fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ Bulletin Boards: Fun/Clubs/Nightlife  Accommodation/Discounts
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Maps
Video Nagano Index
Matsushiro is a town located in the southern section of Nagano city. This historic town retains many cultural assets such as samurai residences and Buddhist temples. The town is also known for its folk ceramics, known as Matsushiro-yaki, which features beautiful blue colors.
Matsushiro originally developed as a castle town which served as the base of the Sanada family. The family ruled Matsushiro for 250 years until the end of the Edo period, between 1622 and 1871. The castle, originally named Kaizu Castle, was constructed in the 16th century on a strategic location on the Nagano plain by the Chikuma river, surrounded by mountains. It was renamed to Matsushiro Castle in 1603, and taken over by the Sanada family in 1622. The castle was destroyed in 1872 by fire but the stone walls remain and mark the site of Kaizu Castle park.
Chokuji is the temple of the Sanada family and includes Mitamaya, a designated Important Cultural Property and the mausoleum of Sadada Nobuyuki, the first lord of the family. The building draws upon the architectural style used in Japan's Toshogu shrines, such as those at Takisan, Horai, Nikko and Kunozan. Highlights of the mausoleum include carved cranes and paintings on the latticed ceiling. The temple grounds, meanwhile, are home to the tombs of successive leaders of the Sanada family. A local museum houses the treasures of the Sanada family while the preserved Sanada residence was constructed in the last years of Tokugawa period. The 9th president of Matsushiro domain, Yukinori Sanada, built it as a safe shelter for his mother Sada.
The town is also well known for its preserved samurai residences which can be toured on foot, by bicycle, or if you have the money - by rickshaw. Sanada Tei is a samurai residence of the Sanada family built on a site approximately 7,000 meters. It is famous also for its beautiful garden which looks different in every season. The residence of the Yuzawa family, the top executive arm of the Sanada family, features a dignified front gate while the Yokota family residence shows the Samurai life style of the Edo era.
Of more recent historical interest are the World War II tunnels dug into the base of the local mountains, the result of a last desparate plan to create a secure location to evacuate key institutions, such as the imperial family, government, and military headquarters, from what seemed to be an inevitable invasion of the country at the end of that turbulent period. The tunnels branch out throughout the mountain base, and while there really isn't much to see, it is nonetheless amazing to walk through and fathom the risk and sacrifice those who were forced to construct the facility had to endure.
Tours - Japan Discovery visits Matsushiro.
Click here for more information regarding when Discovery visits this destination.
Photographs and contributions
Do you have good photographs or a story to share about Matsumoto? Please share it with us.
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Disclaimer and Request:
Opening hours, prices, booking procedures, schedules etc are subject to changes beyond our control. This site is just a guide, and we advise that you always check and confirm in advance. Suggestions, additions and correction of errors are always welcome. Please contact us.
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