During the period of the Battle of Kawanakajima, “Matsudai Castle” was the base castle of the Takeda side, and was a solidly defended castle with a large moat utilizing the Chikuma River. At that time, Matsudai Castle was called “Kaizu Castle” and changed its name to Matsudai Castle in the Edo period. It then became the residence of the Sanada clan until the Meiji Restoration.
In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the castle was abandoned and the buildings were torn down, leaving only the stone walls. In 2004, the city of Nagano restored the turret gate, wooden bridge, stone walls, earthen mounds, and moat, and the castle has been designated a national historic site. In addition to the ruins of the castle, a stroll in the surrounding area is a delightful experience, with buildings that retain vestiges of the old days.
To get there, take a 30-minute bus ride from Nagano Station to Matsudai. The hotel is located right in front of Matsudai Station. By car, it is 10 minutes from the Nagano IC.
There are many Sanada-related historical sites nearby, including the Sanada Treasure Museum. It is a good place for a relaxing trip to visit these sites and eat delicious food.
© Source travel watch