Matsushiro Castle

History

Takeda Shingen built the first castle on this site around 1560 as he battled with Uesugi Kenshin for control of the northern Shinano area. It was called Kaizu-jo and is the site of the famous Battle of Kawanakajima. After Shingen's death, lordship of the castle changed hands several times until 1622 when Sanada Nobuyuki became lord. Sanada Yukimichi, the third generation of Sanada lords, changed the name to Matsushiro Castle. The castle buildings were dismantled during the Meiji Period so there are no original structures left. The gates and walls you see today have been reconstructed faithfully using techniques and styles appropriate for the time and location.

Visit Notes

The castle itself is probably 3 stars. It's worth visiting for the well preserved stone walls and reconstructed gates. Including the castle town and all the samurai homes I would rate this a 5 star destination. The Yokota Residence is one of the best preserved samurai homes in Japan. The Higuchi and Maejima residences also preserve the entire layout of the samurai home including gates, storehouses and gardens. It is rare enough to have one such place much less to have several in one town. The Sanada Palace and grounds likewise are a treasure with several buildings also preserved. You could easily spend the whole day in Matsushiro. I recommend renting a bicycle and tour around to not only the samurai homes but the Chokokuji Temple, Bell Tower, school and merchant homes too. If you rent an electric bicycle or took the bus you could probably visit the Kawanakajima Battlefield as well but I doubt you'd have time for everything in Matsushiro too. Including the battlefield I spent a full day here and had to rush the museum and Sanada Palace before they closed and still did not see some of the town that I would have liked to even on my own bicycle. Matsushiro is also somewhat remote with few high buildings or significant urbanization to help it preserve the rustic Edo Period atmosphere.
城跡としては三つ星でしょう。石垣がよく残されているし、太鼓門や北不明門もきれいに復元されています。城下町を含めれば日本のトップクラスの城跡で五つ星をあげたいと思います。旧横田家住宅は全国でも最もきれいに残されている武家屋敷の一つでしょう。旧樋口家住宅や旧前島家住宅も主屋の他に土蔵、庭園、門などがあって、武家屋敷全体の様子がわかる屋敷が数カ所あって、とても珍しいです。真田邸ももちろんとても貴重な御殿として御殿の他にも数棟の建物の残しています。長国寺、鐘楼、文武学校などもあり、一日あっても回りきれないぐらいの遺構があります。近くに川中島古戦場もあるけれど、そこにも行くと松代は回りきれないかもしれません。私は古戦場を入れたら午後の真田邸や宝物館は駆足でしか見られませんでした。しかも松代内は自転車で回っていました。松代の街はちょっと離れているしさほど開発されていないので大きいビルなどで風景を崩さずに金沢などのもっと都会の城下町に比べると江戸時代の雰囲気が味わえます。

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Gallery

Taikomon Gate
Taikomon gate
Taikomon Gate
Taikomon Gate
Taikomon Gate
Taikomon Gate, Koraimon
Taikomon Gate
earthworks and Taikomon Gate
Earthworks
Inner moat
Inner moat
Uzumimon Gate
Uzumimon Gate
Earthen embankment
Outer moat and Ninomaru
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls and inner moat
Bridge over the Inner Moat
Ninomaru and earthen embankment
Entrance to the Ninomaru
Inner Moat
Ninomaru bailey
Ishibamon gate
Yaguramon of the Taikomon Masugata
Walls of the Taikomon
Taikomon Yagura Gate
Inui Yagura foundation
Stone stairs
Stone stairs
Inui Yagura foundation
View of the Kita Akazumon Gate
Kita Akazmon Gate
Kita Akazmon gate
Kita Akazumon Gate
Koraimon Gate of the Kita Akazumon
Kita Akazumon Gate
Honmaru Stone Walls
Inner moat and honmaru stone walls
Map
Castle conception
Yazawa Residence Gatehouse
Matsushiro Bell Tower
Chokokuji Temple.
Maejima Residence front gate
Maejima Residence
Yamadera Jozan's gatehouse
Baba Residence gatehouse
Yokota Residence Gatehouse
Yokota Residence
Yokota Residence
Inside the Yokota Residence
Garden of the Yokota Residence
Map of the Yokota Residence
Typical castle town road
Sanada Kageyu Residence Gate
Shirai Residence Gatehouse
Oyamada Residence.
Higuchi Residence
Back side of the Higuchi Residence
Higuchi Residence Yakuimon Gate
Nagaya house for servants
Sanada Residence main entrance.
Part of the Sanada Residence
Inside the Sanada Residence
Outer wall of the Sanada Residence
Map of the Sanada Residence

Castle Profile
English Name	Matsushiro Castle
Japanese Name	松代城
Alternate Names	Kaizu-jo
Founder	Takeda Shingen
Year Founded	1560
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Top 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	gates, turrets, bridges, samurai homes, water moats, stone walls, walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access	Nagano Sta.; 30 min. bus for Matsushiro.
Visitor Information	Castle Park is open 9am-5pm; free admission. The Sanada treasures museum is 300 yen, Sanada Palace 200 yen and a ticket to both of them plus the Martial and Literary Arts museum is 500 yen
Time Required	45 mins
Website	http://www.sanadahoumotsukan.com/facilities/facility.php?n=7
Location	Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 33' 57.46" N, 138° 11' 45.53" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2008
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2008, 2016
Admin Visits	October 16, 2008; December 3, 2016

Nearby Samurai Homes

Higuchi Residence

Inoue Residence

Maejima Residence

Mochizuki Shimoyashiki

3.15

(13 votes)

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SnoworionGunshi

12 days ago

Score 0

This is an interesting venue to visit - not so much because of the castle but because of the quaint Samurai town. The castle was owned by the Sanada Clan and not much but the old gate and stone walls still stand. But in the town is the Sanada Treasures Museum, the former Sanada Residence, the old School for the Literary and Military Arts, the Yokota Family Residence and much more. Really stepping into this small village is like stepping back in time. As background, the Sanada Clan produced one of the more revered samurais in history - Sanada Yukimura, and is well worth a visit to just feel the Sanada history here.

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EricShogun

6 days ago

Score 0

Definitely an under appreciated site. One of my favorite places to visit!

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ARTShogun

19 months ago

Score 0

Added three more bukeyashiki!

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ARTShogun

8 months ago

Score 0

four

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ARTShogun

44 months ago

Score 0

The castle we see today was built by Sanada Nobuyuki in 1622. An earlier castle, called Kaizujō, had been built on this site by Takeda Shingen in 1560 as part of his campaign to conquer Shinano Province from Uesugi Kenshin. Sanada Yukimichi, the 3rd Sanada lord of the castle, changed the name to Matsushirojō in 1711. In 1717 the castle burnt down but it was reconstructed with donations from the Shogunate. In 1742 the castle was flooded. It was rebuilt by 1758 but the honmaru (central enclosure) had become a boggy marsh and so the go'ten (palace for the lord) was rebuilt in the Hananomaru in 1770.

1804: Hananomaru rebuilt again.

1847: Matsushirojō rocked by an earthquake.

1853: Hananomaru go'ten lost to fire and rebuit. Hankō (Domain School) rebuilt.

1864: Shingo'ten built outside the castle. This palace, now called Sanada-tei, survives in great condition to this day.

1871: Meiji authorities demolish most of the castle.

1873: Remaining castle structures destroyed by arsonists (apart from Shingo'ten and Hankō).

2003: Castle structures seen today were rebuilt using historical sources and traditional materials. The Hankō also survives near the castle and is one of the best preserved I've been to.

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ARTShogun

62 months ago

Score 1

The castle town of Matsushiro. Matsushiro preserves the atmosphere of an old castle town with its many samurai home districts and temples. It takes at least a whole day to explore this town but most of it can be done on foot. Includes the Shirai-bukeyashiki Omotemon (front gatehouse of the Shirai samurai manor), the Sanada Museum, the Edo Period town bell tower, and other traditional architecture including houses and kura (storehouses). The castle we see today was built by Sanada Nobuyuki in 1622. An earlier castle, called Kaizujō, had been built on this site by Takeda Shingen in 1560 as part of his campaign to conquer Shinano Province from Uesugi Kenshin. Sanada Yukimichi, the 3rd Sanada lord of the castle, changed the name to Matsushirojō in 1711. In 1717 the castle burnt down but it was reconstructed with donations from the Shogunate. In 1742 the castle was flooded. It was rebuilt by 1758 but the honmaru (central enclosure) had become a boggy marsh and so the go'ten (palace for the lord) was rebuilt in the Hananomaru in 1770. 1804: Hananomaru rebuilt again. 1847: Matsushirojō rocked by an earthquake. 1853: Hananomaru go'ten lost to fire and rebuit. Hankō (Domain School) rebuilt. 1864: Shingo'ten built outside the castle. This palace, now called Sanada-tei, survives in great condition to this day. 1871: Meiji authorities demolish most of the castle. 1873: Remaining castle structures destroyed by arsonists (apart from Shingo'ten and Hankō).

2003: Castle structures seen today were rebuilt using historical sources and traditional materials. The Hankō also survives near the castle and is one of the best preserved I've been to.

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FurinkazanHatamoto

73 months ago

Score 1

Today i went first to the Zenkôji in Nagano. Its reputation is well deserved. From there i went to the Kawanakajima battlefield. I used an Alpico 1-day ticket. For 1400¥ you may use several buses to Zenkôji from Nagano station and the bus 30, from bus stop 3, bound for Matsushiro. If you go only to Matsushiro, it isn't interesting. The one way ride is 650¥. This ticket is available at the Alpico information office, next busstop 7, Zenkôji exit of the Nagano station. After Kawanakajima i went to the castle. The busstop now is Matsushiro station. The station is still there. It gave me a strange feeling, since i got off the train there 8 years ago. The castle grounds are well preserved. There are lots of information panels. This time the weather was outstanding and i enjoyed strolling around. After that i visited the Sanada residence, which was closed for repairs 8 years ago. You can buy a multi-ticket, which give you, for 500¥, access to this building, to the Sanada treasures museum and the Bunbu school. In the Sanada residence i encountered a guide, who didn't spoke english. Nevertheless she insisted to guide me. I almost understood everything, but some times i didn't. So when a young visitor came along, the guide grabbed him as translator. His english was as good as mine japanese, but he stayed with us and together we saw some parts of the building that are off limits for visitors. Then i visited the treasure museum. Sadly you aren't allowed to take pictures, but at the end you can put an armor on for free. I went on to the Shirai yashiki, which was also closed 8 years ago. From there i went to the Bunbu school. I saw 2 men practising iaidô. I continued to the Zozan jinja and the Yamadera Jozan yashiki. Here the lady gave me a little tour of the building. She spoke a little bit english. I went on to the Yokata yashiki (200¥ fee, the others are free). From there i got at the bell tower. It was already 5pm. I didn’t went to the other yashiki. The opening hours are from 9am to 5pm.

The places are well signposted. This is a great site to visit.

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Anonymous user #1

2 months ago

Score 0 You

Nice review and precious tips!

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Anonymous user #1

137 months ago

Score 0

I have been meaning to say this since last winter; I love the gates at this castle. They really are amazing reconstructions. If you go here at closing time you can see the staff close the main gates. It really does look like they are shutting up the castle for the night and the accompanying music to the creaking of the gates makes it look like something out of a movie or video game.

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RebolforcesAshigaru

146 months ago

Score 0

Nice ruins with good views in most directions. Amazing locals drove me around town to see the other sites, including the world war 2 tunnels that were dug to hide the royal family

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Anonymous user #1

152 months ago

Score 0

A friend (Uesugi fan) and myself (Takeda fan) went to Nagano and did Zenkouji, Mastsushiro and Kawanakajima Kosenjo. We caught the bus from Nagano station – perhaps easier than the trains – though it says the last stop is Matsushiro you should get off a few stops earlier at Matsushiro Ekimae. This is the same bus you can use to get to the Kawanakajima battlefield. (Actually, I got very excited in a nerdy way because the number on the bus ticket if you get on at the Kosenjo stop is '8' and it is at Hachimanbara.... ) The castle grounds were very nice to walk around, there were hardly any people, and the view of the blue mountains in the distance was refreshing. The 100Meijo stamp was in a building to the side of the moat. I had a fantastic time; if you go here definitely go to the nearby battlefield too. I would have liked to have done the old houses as well but ran out of time.

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RaymondWDaimyo

167 months ago

Score 0

I visited this castle in early September along with some other castles in Nagano. This castle is a bit out of the way to visit because you have to transfer to another train line from the Shinano Line at Yashiro Station. There is a one-carriage train every hour or so. It’s a nice little castle that has been restored. Both gates are reconstructed, and it also has another small gate built into an earthen wall. There is no museum at this castle and entry is free. There are hardly any tourists which is a bonus.

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FurinkazanHatamoto

168 months ago

Score 0

It is a very nice site, even when it is a rainy day. The honmaru has plenty of sakura, so when i was there in last april, these gave a very beautiful sight.

From there i walked to Hachimanbara(+/-4km)to see the place of the fourth battle of Kawanakajima(1561).

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Jcastle.oldHatamoto

177 months ago

Score 0

To be very specific, yes, Yamamoto Kansuke was responsible for the actual construction of the castle under Takeda's direction. In every Japanese book I have however, they give Takeda Shingen as the founder and owner so that I was I have provided as well.

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