First Impressions of Long-Term Love for Nagano (Part 1): A Happy Railway Journey Begins :: Japan :: Kanto

Japan’s railway network is highly developed and is the best mode of transportation for trip planning. Thoughtful Japanese services ensure travelers feel honored from the very start of their happy railway journey at the airport. Entering Tokyo from Narita Airport, the fast and convenient Narita Express (N'EX) is a great choice. To serve international travelers, JR has specially launched the “Suica & N'EX” ticket package, which includes one designated reserved seat ticket for the Narita Express and one Tokyo Suica card, all for just 3,500 yen. With this, you can transfer from the airport to central Tokyo and enjoy over 4,000 yen worth of transportation for a great value. This offer is limited to travelers holding foreign passports—just show your passport with proof of short-term landing permission to purchase.
 

Traveling from Tokyo to Nagano by JR Shinkansen is the most convenient option, taking just 1 hour and 40 minutes. Tokyo serves as a hub for accessing suburban areas of the Kanto region and the Tohoku region. In addition to the Suica & N'EX package from the airport to Tokyo, Japan Railways also offers the “Japan Rail Pass,” which allows unlimited travel with just one card. For this trip, I used the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) 3-day pass, which covers nearly all Shinkansen and JR lines in the eastern part of Japan. The itinerary started from Tokyo Station to Nagano City, visiting Matsushiro, Obasute, Jigokudani Monkey Park, and Shibu Onsen, then took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo from Karuizawa Station, and finally returned to Narita Airport. This made full use of the 10,000-yen discount pass.  

The Shinshu region was historically a horse-producing area and of strategic importance, making it a battleground for many samurai. As a result, the samurai residences in Matsushiro, Nagano, not only carry a strong Edo-period atmosphere but also allow visitors to relive history through these well-preserved century-old buildings and old streets. The Matsushiro area boasts a rich samurai culture, including Matsushiro Castle, the Sanada Treasure Museum, Matsushiro Bunka School, Shōzan Memorial Hall, and the former residence of the Sanada family.
 

The streets of Matsushiro are filled with remnants from the Edo period. Originally the domain of the Sanada family, many samurai residences exude a simple charm that invites visitors to sit down and reflect. The Bunka School, still used today for learning and martial arts, was an important institution established by the domain lord during the Edo period for nurturing talent. Its construction pioneered the integration of Eastern and Western scholarship. The vast space emanates a serene and tranquil atmosphere, giving a sense of time travel and a glimpse of the spirit of scholarly and martial discipline.

The successive lords of Matsushiro Domain used the six mon coins as their family crest, so this pattern can be seen throughout the city. To commemorate the Edo period and promote tourism, in addition to the samurai residences, there are numerous shops and restaurants on the streets themed around the Sanada and Takeda clans.