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Matsushiro Samurai Town Tour from Nagano by Car

By MY Travel Consulting
Free cancellation available
Price is P 50,360 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 4h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
Overview

This tour invites you to step into the quiet elegance of Matsushiro, a samurai town that still preserves the charm of old Japan. Guided by a local expert, you’ll explore temples, shrines, and castle ruins that tell the story of Japan’s artistry and spirit. Each site reveals a different layer of beauty—from the wooden architecture of Zen temples to the stonework of samurai castles. With fewer crowds and a slower pace, this half-day tour offers a serene and authentic journey into Nagano’s cultural heart.
Matsushiro is one of Nagano’s best-kept secrets—a place where Japan’s history quietly lingers in the air. Visiting Matsushiro allows you to experience the timeless atmosphere and quiet beauty that make this region truly special.
Optional samurai armor dressing experience is also available to enhance your visit.

Activity location
  • Zozan Shrine
    • 1502 Matsushiro-cho Matsushiro Takeyama-cho
    • 381-1231, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • Zozan Shrine
    • 1502 Matsushiro-cho Matsushiro Takeyama-cho
    • 381-1231, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Check availability

Zenkoji Temple and Matsushiro Samurai Town Tour from Nagano
  • Activity duration is 4 hours and 30 minutes4h 30m
    4h 30m
  • English

Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 50,360.36 x 1 AdultP 50,360.36
Total
Price is P 50,360.36
Until Sat, Feb 7
Samurai Armor Experience
  • Activity duration is 4 hours and 30 minutes4h 30m
    4h 30m
  • English

Samurai Armor Experience: Enjoy a samurai armor dressing experience inside the historic Bunbu Gakko in Matsushiro.
Duration: 7 hours: It includes time for the armor dressing experience, a tour of Bunbu Gakko, and a stroll around the surrounding area.
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 90,118.53 x 1 AdultP 90,118.53
Total
Price is P 90,118.53
Until Sat, Feb 7

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Private Vehicle
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Admission Fee
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Hotel Pickup
  • What's includedWhat's included
    National Licensed English Speaking Guide. Please let us know if you prefer any other languages.
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    apx. 15-25 USD per person
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Personal Expenses

Know before you book

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • The itinerary might be changed due to weather condition or other reasons.
  • We can accommodate dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements. Please indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking.
  • You are required to wear a helmet when entering the underground tunnels. Helmets are provided free of charge and are available at the entrance.

Activity itinerary

Zozan Shrine
  • 40m
Dedicated to Sakuma Shozan, a pioneering scholar of Western studies during Japan’s late Edo period. Learn about his visionary ideas that helped modernize Japan. Surrounded by peaceful greenery, the shrine offers insight into a man who bridged samurai tradition and scientific progress. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder of Japan’s transformation.
Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters
  • 30m
A vast wartime tunnel complex built during WWII as a potential government relocation site. Visitors can walk through its remains and learn about Japan’s modern history. You are required to wear a helmet when entering the tunnels—provided free of charge at the entrance—adding to the sense of realism. This solemn site encourages reflection on the country’s past and peace today.
Tenkyuji Temple
  • 30m
Located in the quiet samurai town of Matsushiro, Tenkyuji Temple is known for its elegant wooden architecture and serene garden. The temple features traditional Zen-style design with a curved tiled roof, carved transoms, and a peaceful courtyard surrounded by ancient pine trees. Visitors can feel the harmony of Japanese aesthetics and spirituality as they walk through the moss-covered paths and admire the temple’s timeless beauty.
Chokokuji
  • 30m
This temple serves as the resting place of the Sanada clan, the former rulers of Matsushiro. Its graceful gate and simple yet elegant main hall exemplify the understated beauty of Edo-period temple architecture. Surrounded by pines and gravestones softened by moss, the temple exudes a quiet dignity that invites visitors to pause and reflect.
Matsushiro Castle Ruins
  • 30m
Once the stronghold of the Sanada clan, Matsushiro Castle is now a peaceful park surrounded by moats and restored gates. The stone walls and wooden watchtowers showcase the artistry of traditional Japanese fortifications. With views of distant mountains and the rhythm of rustling leaves, it’s a perfect spot to end your walk through samurai history.
Matsushiro Bunbu School (Pass by)
A preserved samurai school from the Edo period, where young samurai trained in both literary and martial arts. The elegant architecture reflects the samurai spirit of discipline and harmony. You can almost imagine the sound of bamboo swords and brushes as students once practiced here. Optional samurai armor dressing experiences are also available inside the grounds.

Location

Activity location
  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Zozan Shrine
    • 1502 Matsushiro-cho Matsushiro Takeyama-cho
    • 381-1231, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Zozan Shrine
    • 1502 Matsushiro-cho Matsushiro Takeyama-cho
    • 381-1231, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

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