Why does Matsushiro leave such a lasting impression? A small castle town in Shinshu where the history of the Sanada clan and hot springs breathe.

I traveled through Shinshu, Nagano in the summer.

Nagano City, Matsushiro, Ueda.
I toured each town by rental car, touched upon the history associated with the Sanada family, soaked in hot springs, and tasted Shinshu soba and local cuisine.

Every place was charming.
However, looking back on this trip, the place that left the deepest impression on me was Matsushiro.

It is not a flashy tourist destination.
It doesn't have a massive castle keep, nor does it have bustling downtown areas overflowing with young people.

Even so, for some reason, I want to go back.
Matsushiro had that kind of mysterious power.

▶︎ The town where the Sanada family spent 250 years

Matsushiro is a castle town that was governed by the Sanada family during the Edo period.
When people hear the name Sanada, many likely think of Masayuki Sanada or Yukimura Sanada.

The Siege of Ueda, where they repelled the massive Tokugawa army twice.
Yukimura Sanada, who was called the 'greatest warrior in Japan' at the Siege of Osaka.
The Sanada family of the Sengoku period inevitably leaves a strong impression as a 'warrior clan'.

However, walking through Matsushiro, a slightly different side of the Sanada family comes into view.

▶︎ That is, the 'governing Sanada'.

The lineage of Nobuyuki Sanada moved to Matsushiro and governed this land for many long years thereafter.

It is not just a history where Sengoku heroes are the protagonists.
Protecting the castle, organizing the town, nurturing people, and preserving culture.

In Matsushiro, the history of that 'Sanada family that lived after the war' remains.

▶︎ What the Sanada Residence and the Sanada Treasures Museum teach us
This time, the Sanada Residence and the Sanada Treasures Museum left a particularly strong impression on me.

Looking at the armor, ancient documents, and daily tools, the Sanada family that was in textbooks suddenly approaches as real human beings.

When it comes to Sengoku warlords, one inevitably focuses only on battles and victories or defeats.

However, for a single family to continue for hundreds of years, being strong in battle is not enough.

Political power.
Human resource development.
Relationships with the region.
And the ability to adapt to the changes of the times.

Perhaps that was where the true strength of the Sanada family actually lay.

It made me think about such things.

▶︎ The charm of Matsushiro lies in its 'tranquility'

Ueda has Ueda Castle.
Nagano City has Zenko-ji Temple.

Both are easy-to-understand symbols of tourism.
On the other hand, the charm of Matsushiro is a little different.

History is dissolved throughout the entire town.

The Sanada Residence.
Matsushiro Castle ruins.
Samurai residences.
Temples.
Old townscapes.

None of them are loudly asserting their existence.

That is precisely why, while walking, history gradually soaks in.

Rather than a tourist spot, the expression 'a town where you walk through history' is closer.

This calmness was truly comfortable.

And, Matsushiro Onsen

In this trip, what personally exceeded my expectations the most was Matsushiro Onsen.

Deep, brownish-colored water.
When you soak in the bathtub, your body gradually warms to the core.

A hot spring you enter after walking through a historic castle town is pleasant in itself.

However, Matsushiro Onsen had a feeling of 'soaking in the land itself' beyond that.
It is not just about seeing tourist spots and finishing.
Walking through history, eating local food, and finally entering the hot spring of that land.

As a trip, it has a very high degree of perfection.
If I were to recall this Nagano trip in one scene, I think I would picture the open-air bath at Matsushiro Onsen.

Why was Matsushiro so good?

▶︎ I want to think about it using 5 Whys.

Why 1: Why did Matsushiro leave an impression?
Because history, town walking, food, and hot springs were all gathered in one place.

Why 2: Why was that comfortable?
Because it was not overly touristy, and I could walk at my own pace.

Why 3: Why could I feel history close at hand?
Because the historical sites of the Sanada family are not at one point, but remain throughout the whole town.

Why 4: Why was I able to rediscover the charm of the Sanada family?
Because I was able to learn not only about the 'fighting Sanada' but also the 'governing Sanada'.

Why 5: Why do I want to come again?
Because it doesn't feel like I saw everything in one go.

▶︎ Matsushiro is not a tourist destination to be consumed.

I think it is a place to be savored little by little.
Being 'famous' and 'leaving a lasting impression' are different

When traveling, you notice something interesting.
The most famous place is not necessarily the one that remains in your memory the most.

Roads with few people.
Quiet samurai residences.
Hot springs that were better than expected.
Chestnut rice or soba eaten locally.

The accumulation of such small experiences is sometimes remembered more vividly later on.

For me this time, that was Matsushiro.

Shinshu, where I want to come again, and among those, to Matsushiro

History, food, hot springs, nature.

No matter how many times you visit Shinshu, there are new discoveries.

It is relatively cool even in summer and easy to spend time in.

As expected, I think 'cool is justice'.
However, in this trip, there is something I felt even more than that.

The charm of a travel destination is not decided by name recognition alone.

Rather, it is in slightly quieter places that the true individuality of the land sometimes remains.

Matsushiro was exactly that kind of town.

Walking while feeling the history of the Sanada family, and finally soaking in a brownish hot spring.

In this Shinshu trip, personally, this was the best.

If I go to Nagano again, I want to stop by Matsushiro once more.

Just having one such place made this trip sufficiently valuable.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

— Marcel Proust

'The true journey of discovery is not in seeking new scenery, but in having new eyes.'
Matsushiro was a town that changed my eyes for looking at the Sanada family a little.