EXCURSION TO MATSUSHIRO FROM NAGANO: EVERYTHING TO SEE AND DO

Matsushiro was home to the Sanada Family and a city thrives in the Edo Period. No one could imagine him walking today through its quiet and lonely streets. It is located just 10 km south of Nagano and is currently part of the same suburbs of the city. Very little remains of those distant times, but there are still some splendid houses of samurai clans, the ruins of a historic castle, an important temple and eye ... some tunnels built in the II GM! Then we tell you everything what to see and do in Matsushiro on a day trip from Nagano.

Every city that presumed of some importance in medieval Japan should have a fortress where the feudal lord could take shelter. And Matsushiro was no exception, in his case it was the residence of the Sanada clan. Of the old castle, which was rebuilt several times, there are the ruins of its exterior walls and the main wooden doors, recently restored.

If you have already passed through Osaka or had the opportunity to enter Himeji Castle or Matusmoto Castle, this will know you little, but it is a good place to start your visit to Matsushiro (especially if you travel in sakura time, well its patio is full of cherry trees). In addition, it is free!

In a building next to the small tourist office (this much more ostentatious) a good handful of Sanada family properties are kept, including a couple of samurai armor Very well preserved. However, the rest of the "treasure" is not too impressive.

In addition to the armor we would highlight a pair of swords and a scroll as a parchment with drawings that narrated the future of some battle. The entrance to the museum costs ¥ 350 and you cannot take pictures inside.

The Sanada clan was the family that controlled this territory, but in Matsushiro there were also other great clans of samurai with beautiful houses, and that you can visit today, to get an idea of ​​what life was like at that time. These are the most important:

• Sanada Residence, undoubtedly the largest and best preserved, which stores some valuables and spacious rooms. Admission costs ¥ 200.
• Higuchi Residence, just across the park, this house has a super nice Japanese back garden, and at the entrance you can see a samurai suit exposed. Access is free.
• Kanehako Residence, similar to the previous one, also free, but something more basic.
• Yokata Residence, we find it in restoration on our visit, although apparently it stands out for its thatched roof.
• Yazawa Residence, from which you can see its impressive front door.

All are very close to each other. You can see the exact location on the map that we leave at the end of the article.

It is an old military school opened in 1853 where future samurai studied techniques of war and martial arts, but also art, letters and literature. The facilities are maintained as they once were, so it is considered a very rare place in Japan. Unfortunately in February when we went it was not open (the works will last until July 2020). Access is paid.

It is a building that stands out among the low houses in the heart of Matsushiro. It doesn't really have an imposing height, but its wooden structure and its pretty roof deserve to come here. Also, apparently the bell rings every day at 10 and 15, if you are around here at that time and can hear the sound, tell us!

Is he main temple of Matsushiro and the one who used the Sanada clan for their rituals. If you look at the top you can see its emblem: the Rokumonsen, 6 mon coins that according to tradition, is the price that souls have to pay to cross the Sanzu River that separates the underworld from beyond. You will see this symbol scattered throughout every corner of this city, surely it will be easy to recognize it. The entrance to the temple is free, although its interior was not too interesting.

There are other minor temples that you will pass on your route on foot, such as the Zouzan Shrine or the Obakushu Zosan Megumimyozen Temple which is on its way to the tunnels and we found it very beautiful, surrounded by nature.

To the east of the city, past the river, there are several facilities with onsen where you can finish an excellent kicking day. They are known for their hot springs with lots of mineral salts, from brown color, but that apparently have a lot of beneficial properties. In fact, here came to recover daimyō armies A few hundred years ago.

We finally did not go, but from the info we found we saw that there are at least two places where you can take a relaxing bath: the most famous is the Onsen Matsushiro Sou (510 ¥ for the use of public toilets). And another something more rustic is the Ichiyou-kan (510 ¥) In the hostel we were told that the latter has mixed bathrooms where we can bathe together with a swimsuit.

During the II GM the decision was made to build a huge tunnel where relocate general offices from the government to protect them from possible attacks. The huge work lasted just over a year and 6,000 were employed Korean prisoners, of which a part lost its life. Today the Japanese authorities do not hide this fact, they want to remember the atrocities that were committed during that period so as not to fall back into tremendous mistakes.

This series of tunnels has a total of about 10Km, although not all are open to the public (we left after about 400 meters, but the thing went on and on). Admission is free and before entering you will have to wear a helmet. Here you can see more info.

The only way to do it is by bus. The bus number 30 It leaves from stop 3 in front of the Nagano train station and in about 45 minutes it reaches Matsushiro. The price is 660¥ which must be paid on the bus itself when leaving (accept tickets). Although there is a 1 day pass what does it cost 1.440¥ and includes the line to Matsushiro and other urban buses within Nagano. To buy this voucher you have to go to the Alpico office on the other side of the road when you leave Nagano station.

With this pass you can also take some buses in Matsushiro, the most interesting is the one that takes you to Matsushiro Onsen, but be careful because this line does not run on weekends! It was the reason that made us not go to give us that bath ...

Here we leave you a map with the location of all the places of interest:

These are all things to see and do in a day in Matsushiro. As you see, Matsushiro is a perfect tour from Nagano If you have a free morning.