Sanada Residence

The 9th lord of Matsushiro Domain, Sanada Yukinori, built this as a home outside the castle for his mother in law, Teishoin, in 1864. It was called “the new palace” back then. Yukinori moved in here after he retired. It consists of the main home, front gate, earthen storehouses and garden, preserving the late Edo-Period palace architecture to this day. It is designated as a national historic site along with Matsushiro Castle.

The palace architecture has characteristics of both private and public functions, which can be seen throughout this residence, such as the front gate with wide steps in the entryway used only for special guests in the Edo Period or the cedar door which separated the private and work spaces.

The garden view from the residence changes the appearance in four seasons and it is worth a look. The distant mountains are taken into the garden design, and you can step inside the home and see it. The water of the pond comes via Sensui Canal from the upper stream down finally into Matsushiro Castle’s moat.

Seven earthen storehouses surround the residence, one of which is used as a workshop, offering various crafts on occasions.