A trip to the filming location of the movie "The Last Samurai" Part 3: Nagaoka City
- Niigata
- Special Features
The best part of the tour! Nagaoka City
This is the third installment of this series of articles and we are now at the climax of the series.
In this third installment, we will introduce the locations in Nagaoka City, the birthplace of Tsugunosuke Kawai.
Hasegawa Residence
The Hasegawa Residence in Nagaoka City is said to be the oldest of the many mansions of wealthy farmers that remain in Niigata Prefecture.
It was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1982, and the main building, front gate, Igonzo warehouse, Chozo warehouse, Shinzo warehouse, garden wall, and back gate have been designated and are open to the public.
The Hasegawa Residence is located in Tsukayama, formerly Koshiji-cho, in the southern suburbs of Nagaoka City.
The Hasegawa family had been a village headman for generations since the early Edo period, and by the end of the Edo period owned 70% of the arable land and forests in four nearby villages. The other living areas are still laid out with wooden floors, and the earthen floor is extremely spacious with freestanding pillars, giving a sense of tradition.
The Hasegawa family was the largest landowner in the area, and Tsukayama-juku was an important transportation hub at the time. Hojo was located downstream of Hirota along the Nagatori River, which was the residence of the Echigo Mori clan. This area controlled by the Echigo Mori clan was the most downstream point where the Sabaishi River could be crossed, so the highway did not cross the Kashiwazaki Plain, but instead bypassed it and headed north along the mountain range.
Products arriving from the port of Kashiwazaki were probably transported from Hojo via Tsukayama to Nagaoka, Ojiya, and beyond to Uonuma.
The scene in which he is seriously wounded in the leg and endures a searing pain, but tries not to worry those around him, is a scene that shows the character of Tsugunosuke.
During the filming, the Shofukuji Temple, which had been turned into a field hospital, was recreated with the help of a large crew. Hats off to the craftsmanship.
In conjunction with the release of the film, the Hasegawa Residence is holding "Beyond the Pass: Tsugunosuke Kawai and the Boshin War as Recorded by Hisashizu IX".
For more information, please click the link below.
*The Hasegawa Residence is currently undergoing long-term restoration work. Please check the website for details.
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Location
773-1 Tsukanoyama, Nagaoka-shi
Access
15 minutes walk from Tsukanoyama Station on the JR Shinetsu Line
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
There are many places to see around Hasegawa Residence!
Hotokuzan Inari-taisha Shrine
This shrine, dedicated to the deity Amaterasu Shirakiku Houtoku, is affectionately called "Iwatsuka no Oinari-san" (Inari-san of Iwatsuka) by the locals.
The shrine was established in the Bunsei Era (around 1820) from Nakanodake Ginga-mine to Okuno-in Chojabaru in this area, and has a nationwide following, with more than 300,000 worshippers.
The lacquered hall, which stands on a small hill, is the symbol of Hotokuzan Inari Taisha, and looks amazing in the winter scenery.
Hotokuzan Inari Taisha is a "candle prayer" shrine.
Praying with candles is a way of greeting to the Parent God, and five colored candles are dedicated to Him.
The meanings of the five colors are
Green: physical health, traffic safety, and academic advancement
Red: Prosperity in business, financial prosperity
Yellow: Fire prevention, good harvest
White ... Safety in the home
Purple: Fulfillment of one's desire
Purple... fulfillment of one's wishes.
For detailed information on how to light the lanterns, please see the signboard.
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Location
870 Iizuka, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture
Access
5 minutes walk from Echigo Iwatsuka Station on JR Shinetsu Line
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Nagaoka City Maple Garden
The maple garden in the Koshiji area was created around 1896 as a garden for the villa of the Takahashi family, landowners in Kamiya.
The 4,000-square-meter site is home to many plants, including 150- to 200-year-old maple trees, mountain cherry trees, and azaleas. The most abundantly planted maple, Iroha maple, is a type of maple that is wild from the north to the Pacific side of Kyushu region. It is believed that the Takahashi family transplanted an excellent variety from Kyoto, where their business activities were based.
It was donated by the former Koshiji Town in 1989.
During the fall foliage season, it is illuminated at night, providing a fantastic view of the maple trees.
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Location
600 Asahi, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata
Access
10 minutes walk from Raikyoji Station on the JR Shinetsu Line
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Koshiji Toshaba Exchange Facility "Kokorate
It is a facility that is friendly to both local residents and tourists, and is packed with the best of Koshiji, including lodging, dining, a souvenir shop, bakery, culture classes, and after-school study support classes.
By the way, "kokorate" means "here it is" or "this way" in Niigata dialect.
There are also guilt-free sweets made from okara.
Ryokan Milk Soft Ice Cream is a local soft ice cream that you should try at least once! It is not too sweet and has a refreshing taste that emphasizes the flavor of milk.
The bakery "Iroha" is a popular bakery in the area.
There is often a line of people waiting in line at lunchtime! Since the bread is baked here, the food court is filled with the aroma of delicious bread.
We look forward to seeing you at our store!
The photos in this article were taken from the Nagaoka Convention & Visitors Association.
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Location
2602-2 Raikyoji-Ko, Nagaoka-shi, Niigata
Access
1 minute walk from Raikouji Station on JR Shinetsu Line
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Please use the free pass, which is a great value and convenient way to get around Niigata Prefecture!
