Matsushiro: Unique Samurai Town
Joined 2018
Matsushiro is a quiet castle town 10km away from the center of Nagano. The town used to be the domain of the Sanada clan (feudal lords). In Matsushiro, you see the castle remains, the residence of the Sanada clan, middle-class samurai houses, a school for samurai children. You will enjoy walking around the cosy town, breathing fresh air.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Nagano Station or your hotel lobby
Nagano Bus Terminal
We will get on a bus.
Jozan Tei & Zozan Shrine
You will see a quiet samurai house and its beautiful garden. Also, you will enjoy strolling along the waterway and stop by at Zozan shrine.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Education and Military Arts School & Unique Houses
In the school, the children of samurai warriors learned martial arts, reading and writing at the school. You can also enter another samurai house or a merchant's house.
Sanada Residence
You will see the castle lord's residence.
Matsushiro castle remains
You'll enjoy the castle remains and a good view on the top of stone walls.
Leave Matsushiro
We take a bus and head to Nagano Station.
Nagano Station
Ending Point
Nagano Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee, Guide's transportation fee (from Guide's house to Nagano Station)
Entrance fee of two spots (residence and school): ¥600/person, Bus fare (your group) ¥1,040/person, Lunch
Tour Important Information
Please buy overseas travel insurance in case of emergency.
Important message from the supplier
Basically, I am available on weekdays. But if you are planning to have a long tour including the weekend, please let me know. I think that I can be flexible. In addition to the guide fee, you are requested to pay my transportation to the meeting spot. Thank you for your understanding.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2018
About Tour Guide Emi F.
Nice to meet you. I am a national government certified guide interpreter, Emi. I just started this business under the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, I had worked for more than 30 years as a teacher. Nagano is a cozy city surrounded by a beautiful mountain range. I enjoy strolling around its center, driving in the countryside, visiting some beautiful spots such as Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi highlands, Matsumoto Castle and so on. I also enjoy local dishes with fresh ingredients. I'd like to introduce our lifestyle to you as well as historical places and nature. According to your expectations, I will make your tour tailor-made, not ready-made!
Reviews
Genevieve T.
“One with nature”
Togakushi Shrine was in our bucket list and we managed to go there with the help of Emi. Emi was patient and replied back to all my questions prior to our trip. She also tried her best to explain things about the sites (Tokagushi and Zenkoji Temple) we went to. The highlight was the walk in the snow covered cedar tree lined pathway. It was beautiful. Thank you Emi for making our trip memorable
Emi F.
Thank you for your wonderful review. I appreciate your patience as we walked through the snow for quite a while, but I’m glad you were able to enjoy the beautiful snow-covered forest. More than anything, the warmth of your family’s hearts for me made the cold disappear. It was truly a precious day for me as a guide, and I’m delighted that you enjoyed my hometown, Nagano.
Taylor K.
“Absolutely fantastic ”
Emi was an amazing tour guide. Zenkoji temple was our main point but she showed us so much more on the way there and back from our hotel. She was extremely knowledgeable and upbeat. We would pick her as a tour guide for every prefecture we're visiting of we could.
Emi F.
Thank you for choosing me as your guide in Nagano. Even though it was a cold day, your cheerful attitude and genuine curiosity about Japanese culture made the tour so enjoyable. I truly appreciate your kindness and cooperation. Spending time with you and your family was such a delightful experience for me. Thank you again for a wonderful day!
Dean T.
“Matsumoto Castle & Town Tour”
We were very fortunate to have Emi as our guide. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We wanted to spend a day in Matsumoto with a focus on Matsumoto Castle. She prepared a itinerary for the day that was gave us plenty of time at the castle and Matsumoto town. Emi was extremely knowledgeable and shared information that only a local would know. She help translate information that was only in Japanese as well as help read inscriptions that were on many actual items. We never felt rushed during the time we spent with her. She was very helpful in communicating with shopkeepers which gave us more insight as to the background of their crafts or foods. One of the highlights was taking us up to the observation deck in the City Hall so we could view the castle grounds from above (we would have never done that on our own). The day we spend with Emi was one of the best days we had during our trip. Even before the tour day, Emi communicated with us giving us updates and answering our questions so we were prepared for our trip to the Nagano area. We highly recommend Emi and would definitely hire her again when we return to the Nagano area.
Emi F.
I am truly grateful for your heartfelt review. It was a pleasure to explore the castle together and take our time to appreciate its history. I was so glad you were interested in Matsumoto's crafts and folk art, and I really enjoyed rediscovering the cultural charm of the area as we strolled through the historic streets and visited local shops. I look forward to welcoming you back to Japan one day. Until then, take care! 
$350/ per group
More tours by Emi F.
Matsumoto Castle and its Surroundings
Matsumoto Castle was built about 400 years ago. It has one of the oldest castle towers in Japan, designated as a national treasure. The black and white contrast of the castle with a backdrop of the Japan's northern Alps is really photogenic!! When you stroll the castle town, you come across rows of old houses and also fresh spring waters in every corner.
Snow Monkey Park & Local Train
Jigokutani Yaen Koen, so-called the Snow Monkey Park, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nagano. If you are lucky, you will see some monkeys bathing in the hot spring. In winter, the natural trail is often frozen and slippery. From spring to autumn, trekking to the park is easier than in winter. How about enjoying a local train ride and encountering wild monkeys in natural settings?
Togakushi: Sacred Forests & Shrines
Togakushi is a sacred place where mountain worship once flourished. You'll see some shinto shrines in the deep forests guarded by sacred mountains. Unbeaten natural beauty will also make you feel refreshed.
Obuse: Chestnuts and Hokusai's Works
A world-famous ukiyoe painter Hokusai (1760-1849) stayed in Obuse and made his works in his later years. In Obuse Hokusai Museum, you'll encounter not only his ukiyoe woodblock printings but also his original handwritings you cannot see elsewhere. Akso, Obuse is well-known for its chestnuts. There are many chestnut trees and a variety of foods with chestnuts. Why don't you try one of them?
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Nagano
Zenkoji Temple and History Tour – Half Day Trip from Nagano Station
I propose a tour from Nagano Station to the Zenkoji Temple. There are traditional Japanese shops and historical spots on the way to Zenkoji from the station. You can try some light snacks such as dango sweets, enjoy some shopping, and if you want, I can take you to a Japanese public bathhouse. I'll propose a flexible plan based on your request. When we arrive at Zenkoji temple, I’ll talk about the history of them and introduce you to various historical points to help you expand your imagination.
Obuse: Chestnuts and Hokusai's Works
A world-famous ukiyoe painter Hokusai (1760-1849) stayed in Obuse and made his works in his later years. In Obuse Hokusai Museum, you'll encounter not only his ukiyoe woodblock printings but also his original handwritings you cannot see elsewhere. Akso, Obuse is well-known for its chestnuts. There are many chestnut trees and a variety of foods with chestnuts. Why don't you try one of them?
Zenkoji Temple and its Surroundings
Zenkoji Temple is very famous for Japanese and its beautiful main hall is one of Japan's national treasures. The temple has a long history of pilgrimage and some say that they want to visit it at least once in their lifetime. Your guide shows you some historical spots in the precincts and also tells you some interesting stories of them.
Food and Culture Nagano Tour
Japanese food is an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and Nagano is famous for local food culture. This 3hr tour takes you to old part of Nagano. You'll enjoy local food and Sake, learning about the secrets of longevity and food culture here that only locals can tell you. We'll walk on backstreets of 1400yrs old temple ground, discovering authentic local food stores and shrines which you wouldn't noticed otherwise. Watching a fire ceremony, hearing chants and drums is such a experience.
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