The Old Underground Imperial Headquarters - Matsushiro

Matsushiro town is a good to place to visit for at least a day. There are many things and places to see, but one particular place is the old Imperial headquarters that were built into mountains near the end of world war two. The headquarters were built to protect the leadership and imperial family and were quite extensive. However, the tunnels in the mountains were never finished so only the unfinished tunnels can be explored if you visit Matsushiro.

The tunnel entrance.

The layout of the grid like tunnel complex in one mountain. Other mountains have similar tunnels. About 500 meters can be explored on foot.

The tunnels were built by using Korean labor so there is a monument to the Koreans who died tunneling.

The tunel conecting to the entrance is quite low so one must wear a hard hat provided by the organisation operating the tunnels.

Steel supports and wood are used to help secure some sections and to prevent any accidents.

Other connecting tunnels are blocked off with wire mesh and strong gates.

The tunnels are lit sufficiently but in places are dark which gives a feeling of what it may have been like tunneling.

In the above photo you can see the end which is an access point to the outside world. Some of the tunnels have outside access.

One of the cross tunnels lit up for inspection.

Looking down a cross tunnel.

The sunlight at the end can be seen. But the tunnel exploration turns left before that point and keeps going deep into the mountain.

Above, a mark in the rock from tunneling can be seen. And below, some drawings on the walls were found which were drawn by the Korean laborers.

The end of the tunnel open for exploration which goes much further into the mountain.

There are some peace cranes at the junction where the walk ends which are a shrine for peace.

The red section is about 500 meters in length. The above shows how extensive the system was supposed to be.

Looking back just before exiting the tunnels.

The small shed where the hard hats are stored for the visitors who want to explore the opened section of tunnel. The tunnels are a 15 - 25 minute walk from Matsushiro station. At the time of visiting the tunnels, they were free and I received a leaflet with information about them.

Matsushiro castle grounds - Nagano prefecture

Matsushiro castle grounds are located near Matsushiro station and give good views of the alps in Nagano prefecture. A lot of the castle walls are restored and the buildings are restored but the feeling from visiting there is good and due to its smaller size than the bigger more famous castles it is pleasant enough to see easily. Matsushiro can be reached by bus from Nagano city which takes about 30 mins, and train which takes a little longer.

The photos above are of the entrance to the center of the castle grounds.

A view of the rear entrance of the castle.

If the cherry blossoms are out and it is sunny it is a nice place.

The alps in Nagano are still quite covered in snow in early April. The lower mountains are free of snow though.

Jigokudani monkey hotspring - Nagano prefecture

The hotspring where monkeys can be found in winter sitting in hot water is located near Nagano city in Nagano prefecture Japan. There are about 200 monkeys in the small valley which are looked after by a group of people who maintain the park for viewing by tourists and feed the monkeys. Getting there is 40 minutes in a bus and then 40 minutes on foot through mountain country which was part of the 1998 Nagano winter olympics.

The access track goes through some forest and wildlife can be seen. There are signs encouraging people to look for various animals on the way to the monkey park.

Looking towards the monkey park above, and below looking back towards Nagano.

The small monkeys are enjoyable to watch as they play and make trouble.

A river runs past the hotspring where monkeys can be seen feeding or getting warm in winter.

Above is the site of the 1998 Nagano winter olympics snowboarding slope.

In and around Matsumoto city

Matsumoto city has great views of the mountains surrounding it and in spring the snow capped mountains are a sight.

As seen from Matsumoto station.

On the way to the Japanese Ukiyoe museum which is just out of Matsumoto.

Street views of Matsumoto in the photos above.

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto city is located in Nagano prefecture Japan and isn't too far from Nagano city. In Matsumoto there is an original castle which still stands after 400 years. Matsumoto castle is one of the best three castles in Japan which I have no reason to dispute. Below are photos taken just before dark in early April.

A Japanese crane can be seen on the red bridge.

A Japanese crane and the moon blend in with the castle building giving a nice scene.

Like most castles in Japan there are Koi fish in the moat.

Nagiso town in the Kiso valley - Nagano prefecture

Nagiso in the Kiso valley and not far from Tsumago on the Nakasendo highway is a place of transport access to the Nakasendo highway walk. In the town there is a large foot bridge which crosses the river and has nice views of the mountains, river and valley.

Some alps can be seen from Nagiso town.

The bridge is perfectly straight.

Nagiso station doesn't have many local trains both to Nagoya and Matsumoto but express trains do pass through and some stop there.

The water in the river is clear and inviting.

A view from the train travelling north from Nagiso to Narai old post town in the Kiso valley.

One of a few stations between Nagiso and Narai post towns.

Narai post town station. I didn't get to visit Narai but would go back there if given the chance.

Magome post town to Tsumago post town - Hiking the old Nakasendo Highway

Hiking the old Nakasendo highway is an interesting experience. Below are photos of the hiking route from Magome post town to Tsumago post town which is over 8kms. The scenery changes throughout the walk to Tsumago from Magome and if you start in Magome it is uphill until you reach the prefecture boundary of Gifu and Nagano prefectures. From there it is down hill and more foresty with some good sections of old highway still in the trees.



Looking north towards Tsumago from the edge of Magome post town. The sign above says 7.6 kms to go.

From the northern end of Magome a good view of a 2192 metre high mountain can be had.

A nice butterfly sits in the sunshine on the Nakasendo highway in early April.

The old highway heads uphill passing little streams and fresh countryside.

Looking back downhill towards Magome post town after having climbed the cobblestoned highway.

Along the highway there are old stones which remain and used to be guide stones. In the stones is engraved "Nakasendo".

Above and below, an old lady carries a heavy load on her back in a small village on the old Nakasendo highway.

The prefectural border on the highway is at the top and it is downhill from hereon. Some alps can be seen which look inspiring.

A section of paved highway in the forest on the downhill section to Tsumago.

Many times on the walk you have to cross the road and even walk sections of the road with cars passing by. Then again you duck off into the forest and come out later onto the road again. It's interesting.

One of the waterfalls which can be viewed closer to Tsumago.

One of the few villages which are travelled through on the walk.

Another more interesting section of paved highway in the forest on the Nakasendo.

Nagiso is the next post town which is where the train station is. You can continue walking to Nagiso which is another 4kms or so. On seeing this sign you have made it to Tsumago and can enjoy the old street scenes as you explore the place.