We will introduce "10 things to do in Nagano (Central Shinshu area)".

Matsumoto Castle

It is said that the castle began with the construction of "Fukashi Castle" in 1504. In 1582, Ogasawara Sadayoshi renamed it Matsumoto Castle. Since then, the castle has been ruled by the Ogasawara, Ishikawa, Toda, and other clans, and has grown into an ancient castle with a history of over 500 years. Matsumoto Castle is the oldest of the twelve remaining castle towers in Japan, with a five-story, six-storey tower, and is a designated national treasure. The "Kuromon" gate was once a prestigious gate, and was named after the color black, which was the highest rank at the time.

The view of the sunset and Matsumoto Castle is beautiful and photogenic.

Chausuyama

This mountain has an elevation of 1,415m. It is said that Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin deployed their troops here during the Battle of Kawanakajima. You can enjoy nature all year round, with moss pinks in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall, canoeing and fishing in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter. In addition to the hugely popular "Petting Zoo," the illuminated cherry blossoms at the "Chausuyama Highland Festival" in the spring are beautiful.

Shihashira Shrine

This Shinto temple was established in Matsumoto, Chikuma Prefecture in 1872, and is said to have enshrined four gods (Amenominakanushi, Takamimusubi, Kamimusubi, and Amaterasu) in 1874. The shrine building was built at its current location in 1879. The large torii gate along Nawate-dori is dynamic and impressive, made of iron. The "Marriage Pine" in front of the shrine office is a rare pine tree with two branches growing out from the base that are connected. Please come and see it.

Nawate Street

During the Edo period, this was a bank sandwiched between Sobori and Metoba River, and was called "Nawate Street" because of its straight road that looks like a single rope. It enshrines "Kaeru Daimyojin", and it is said that many frogs used to live in Metoba River, but their croaking can no longer be heard, so the street was named after the wish to make the river clean so that frogs can live there again. There are rows of shops selling Japanese food such as soba, takoyaki, and taiyaki, as well as miscellaneous goods.

Fukashi Shrine

Ogasawara Sadamune, who built Ikawa Castle in 1335, enshrined Suwa Myojin from Suwa Taisha Shrine in Miyamura and named it Miyamura Daimyojin. When Fukashi Castle was built in 1504, the shrine building of Miyamuramiya, which enshrines Miyamura Daimyojin, was moved from the south side to the west side to make it the guardian deity of the Tatsumi direction of Fukashi Castle. In 1841, the name was changed to "Fukashi Shrine." Just in front of the "stone torii" is a red "second torii" gate, which is also photogenic. The "Kagura Hall" is unified in red and white as the main colors, giving it a sense of atmosphere.

Koboyama Tomb

It is a 66m long keyhole-shaped tumulus estimated to have been built at the end of the 3rd century, and is one of Matsumoto City's most famous ancient tumuli. Excavations of the Koboyama Kofun were carried out in 1974. During the spring Koboyama Kofun Cherry Blossom Festival, approximately 4,000 cherry trees bloom around the oldest keyhole-shaped tumulus in eastern Japan. During the day, the Northern Alps can be seen through the cherry blossoms, and at night, the illuminated cherry blossoms and the night view of Matsumoto city create a fantastic sight. The sight of the cherry blossoms surrounding the tumulus is truly spectacular.

Hotaka mountain range

It is made of a hard rock called welded tuff, which originated from volcanic ash that accumulated inside the caldera during a major eruption of the caldera volcano about 1.75 million years ago. The Hotaka mountain range has areas that are in the sun and areas that are in the shade, and it is fun to watch how the scenery changes over time. The peak is covered in snow, creating a spectacular view.

Taisho Pond

It is a scenic mountain spot at an altitude of about 1500m, and is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Special Natural Monument by the national government. The Kamikochi area is open to the public from mid-April to November 15th each year, and features beautiful ponds, marshes, and clear rivers. At Taisho Pond, you can enjoy the clear, clean water of the pond and the star-filled sky at night, and in autumn, the contrast with the autumn leaves is spectacular.

Kappa Bridge

Originally a drawbridge made of timber jutting out from both banks of the Azusa River, it became a suspension bridge in 1910. It was replaced due to deterioration, and the current bridge is the fifth generation suspension bridge, built in 1997. There are various legends about the origin of the name Kappa Bridge, including "Long ago, there was a deep pool here where kappa likely lived" and "In the days before bridges, people who crossed the river with clothes on their heads looked like kappa." From the bridge, you can see the Hotaka mountain range and Mount Yakedake, and the beautiful scenery changes with the seasons.

Tsumago-juku

In 1601, Tokugawa Ieyasu designated this post station as the 42nd post station from Edo. It was a key transportation hub located at the intersection of the Nakasendo and Iida Kaido roads. Due to a preservation campaign by local residents, it was designated as Japan's first Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The old-fashioned wooden house, Wakihonjin Okutani, retains the atmosphere of the Edo period and is very atmospheric.

Not only the inn itself but also the stone-paved slope outside is very charming.

summary

We have introduced "10 things to do in Nagano (Central Shinshu area)". The national treasure "Matsumoto Castle" that can be said to represent Nagano, the natural "Hotaka mountain range" and "Taisho pond" are beautiful enough to cleanse the soul. "Tsumago-juku" has the streetscape of an inn from the Edo period remaining intact, making you feel like you have traveled back in time. Please come and visit us.