Matsushiro Castle

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

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.

Field 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.

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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.
Hours	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
URL	Castle Website
Location	Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.56596, 138.19598
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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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