Nagano Sta.; 30 min. bus for Matsushiro.
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.
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
Matsushiro Castle
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY1efff3ddbec6e6409a313b8c2ccd8403
Matsushiro Castle true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY9591fc8a5b5c9fa9e4278026ff05899b
Matsushiro Castle false
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY636a9385158a5b48fb60475da36c650b
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY5ad8f8f75335d8d3f7e5bda72ed6ab66
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY3a5b390cbf7bf033ccf93eb5a460d434
Higuchi Residence true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY4734fc0d92069277d878dd1b617260f2
Inoue Residence true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY095b6221d5e36bc31da6ace35b7a0f59
Maejima Residence true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY1678fee6533a13250ba5fbf595c2fdea
Mochizuki Shimoyashiki true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERYdd538fe26131829e2911b9d1e4c1b71a
Onta Residence true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY60af8b64560c089143e2b2d59cc605d1
Sanada Residence true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY7b74a112cc17593efdae042bbbe96fb8
Yamadera Residence true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY75091cc0bd8e0e86b48865660dbecc69
Yokota Residence true
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY4715c46341d3c6da620fb48067855322
Matsushiro Castle# QUERY4fff85f85dd76e993e0775c579f1673b
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (1).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (1).JPG
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (2).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (2).JPG
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (3).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (3).JPG
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (4).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (4).JPG
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (5).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (5).JPG
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (6).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (6).JPG
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (7).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (7).JPG
File:MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (9).JPG
MatsushiroYamaderaJouzanBukeyashiki (9).JPG