Matsushiro Castle Ruins

Background

The Matsushiro Castle ruins lie in Matsushiro-machi, Nagano City; the castle was formerly called Kaizu Castle. Nagano City's castle history explains that the site connected with terrain such as former channels of the Chikuma River and became a defensive stronghold in the Warring States period; after Sanada Nobuyuki was transferred from Ueda to Matsushiro in 1622, the castle and the domain's centre of government gradually developed. Some of the stone walls, earthworks and moats you see today help you make out the castle's outline, but not all gates and bridges are original Edo-period structures: in its works from 1995 to 2004, Nagano City restored some buildings with reference to old maps and archaeological data. The castle site, together with the Sanada Residence, is designated a National Historic Site, while the Sanada Treasure Museum, the Bunbu Gakkō school and former samurai residences are spread across the wider Matsushiro district. This attraction page therefore centres on the physical castle site; the castle-town walking route should be linked from the Nagano city page, and not all Matsushiro facilities should be treated as one ticket and one building within the castle. The Battles of Kawanakajima have a historical connection with Matsushiro Castle, but literary details of single combat cannot be taken as direct historical evidence on site.

Local customs

• The castle site is an open historic site and park
• when walking, observe fences, areas under repair and path signs, and do not climb the stone walls or step into the moats. Historic buildings and exhibition facilities have their own visiting rules
• at the Sanada Residence and the Treasure Museum, check opening areas and tickets separately. When taking photos, avoid blocking residents and other visitors.

Religion & beliefs

• This is a historic castle site, not a place of religious worship
• there are temples and shrines elsewhere in the Matsushiro district, so if you extend your visit, respect each one's own faith and opening rules.

Rules that apply here

Travel tips

• The Sanada Treasure Museum's official materials give the castle site's address as 44 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano City. Take a bus bound for Matsushiro from the Zenkōji exit of Nagano Station
• the museum gives a journey of about 30 minutes, followed by a walk of about 5 minutes from the stop
• check the current timetable for actual services and stops. For the castle site alone with reading of the on-site explanations, allow about 30–60 minutes
• if you add the Sanada Treasure Museum, the Sanada Residence and the district route, allow half a day, and check tickets and opening hours for each facility separately. The castle site is generally open, but the accessible areas may be adjusted over the New Year period or during maintenance or works, so check the official facility page and Nagano City notices before you go. The castle site, Zenkōji and Togakushi Shrine are not on one walkable route
• from Nagano, plan them by area in separate sections. The photo shows the restored Kita-fumeimon Gate and cannot be used to prove that all the castle buildings are original.