Trip to the filming location of the movie "The Last Samurai" Vol. 2 [Niigata Shimoetsu Area
- Niigata
- Sightseeing
Introduction of filming locations in the Shimoetsu region of Niigata Prefecture
I hope you've been waiting for this! This is the second installment of a series of articles about a trip to the locations where the movie "The Last Samurai" was shot!
This time, we will be introducing 5 locations in the Shimoetsu area of Niigata Prefecture, as well as some recommended spots.
Whether you have already seen the movie or not, please take a look at this page ♫
～Sekikawa Village
1) Watanabe Residence <Sekikawa Village
Sekikawa Village is located near the border between Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures and is a village with rich nature. There are many historical buildings and two movie locations.
The first such location in Sekikawa Village is the "Watanabe Residence."
The Watanabe family has been an old family since 1667, when Yoshitaka Giemon I, a vassal of the lord of the Murakami domain, moved to Sekikawa Village. The main building, built in 1817, is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, and one of its most distinctive features is the "Ishioki kobabuki-yane" roof.
The roof is made of 200,000 wooden shingles and 15,000 stones, and its grandeur can be seen from the outside!
The Watanabe family were not only wealthy farmers, but also brewers, shipping agents, and wealthy merchants who lent their businesses to feudal lords.
In 1987, a bottle of sake from 1756 was found in the brewery of the Watanabe family, which is said to be the oldest recorded bottle of sake in Japan.
This house was used as the Kawai family's residence where Tsugunosuke's wife "Osuga," who tied Tsugunosuke's hair, and the Kawai family spent their peaceful time in a world of warfare.
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Location
904 Shimonoseki, Sekikawa-mura, Iwafune-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Access
10 minutes walk from Echigo-Shimonoseki Station on the JR Yonesaka Line
Village
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
2) Togei-en <Sekikawa Village
Tokkeien is a Japanese tile-roofed, hipped roof building of stately style, and is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
The museum offers coffee, ice cream, soba (only on Saturdays and Sundays), and boxed lunches with a view of the garden (reservations required).
This building was used as the residence of Matsuzo, a follower of Tsugunosuke.
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Location
906-2 Shimonoseki, Sekikawa-mura, Iwafune-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Access
10 minutes walk from Echigo-Shimonoseki Station on the JR Yonesaka Line
Open period
Early April - Early November
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
～Shinobata City
(3) Shinbada Castle <Shinbada City
The location of the castle was chosen as one of the 100 best castles in Japan as it is the only remaining castle structure from the Edo period in Niigata Prefecture. The "Main Gate" and "Old Ninomaru Sumiyagura (corner turret)" remain in their original state and are designated as National Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The castle is also called "Funagata Castle" because of the shape of the castle's main gate, which looks like a boat, or "Shobu Castle" because of the many irises that bloomed in the marshy surrounding area.
Shinbada Castle is also famous for its cherry blossoms.
The contrast between the white castle and the cherry blossoms is beautiful, and when the blossoms are in full bloom, bonbori (paper lanterns) are set up so that visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.
The collaboration of the nighttime cherry blossoms reflected on the moat and the illuminated castle is well worth seeing!
In the movie, the inside of Nagaoka Castle, where the war has begun and soldiers are hurriedly walking around, is depicted with a sense of realism by utilizing Shinobata Castle, which still retains its original appearance.
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Location
6 Otemachi, Niibata City, Niigata Prefecture
Access
Approximately 25 minutes on foot from Shinbeta Station on the JR Hakushin Line and Hetsu Main Line, or 10 minutes by car from the Seiro-Shinbeta I.C. on the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
After visiting Shimbada Castle, go to Gojukono Park, famous for its iris blossoms.
Shinbada Castle, also known as "Iris Castle"...
Why iris? You must have wondered. Because every year around June, approximately 300 varieties of 600,000 irises (hanashobu) bloom in Ijimino Park, which has been designated as one of the "100 best city parks in Japan" and is famous within the prefecture for its beautiful iris flowers.
The Ijikono Park is a 10-minute drive from Shimbada Castle, and is an 89.3-hectare comprehensive park where track and field events, soccer, tennis, and other events can be held.
Why not visit when the time is right?
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Location
Gojukouno, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture
Access
10 minutes by car from JR Shirashin Line/Hanetsu Main Line Shinbeta Station or 15 minutes by car from the Seiro-Shinbeta I.C. on the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
～Niigata City
(4) Museum of Northern Culture <Niigata City
The main building, which has 65 rooms, stands on a vast site of 8,800 tsubo (9,860 m2). Visitors can appreciate the main building, a large hall, a tea ceremony room, and a storehouse, as well as the pond garden and the collection of art works by successive heads of the family.
There are also a variety of other facilities, including a souvenir shop, a cafe, a restaurant (reservations required), and lodging facilities (reservations required).
Here is a scene from the Nagaoka clan's residence, where all the members of the Nagaoka clan gathered together, filmed in a solemn atmosphere.
A 150-year-old giant wisteria tree fills the courtyard.
Many of you have probably seen it before, as the grand hall has become a hot spot because of its resemblance to a mansion in a popular anime.
However, what we would like to introduce this time is a 150-year-old giant wisteria tree in the courtyard, with a trunk circumference of more than 1m60cm.
The wisteria-colored flowers bloom in clusters, emitting a sweet fragrance.
It is also illuminated when it is in bloom.
This is a place that can be visited at any time of the year, with its elegant seasonal expressions such as cherry blossoms in spring, lotus in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscape in winter.
Also, please check the official Facebook page of the Museum of Northern Culture to learn about the episodes of the filming of "Touge" and related exhibits before visiting the museum.
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Location
2-15-25 Sawaumi, Konan-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Access
Approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Niitsu Station
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
～Gosen City
(5) Jikoji Temple (Gosen City)
Jiko-ji Temple was founded around 1403 by Ketsudo Yoshikatsu, and prospered as one of the four Echigo Buddhist temples during the Edo period (1603-1868).
It is one of the few Soto Zen temples in Niigata Prefecture that still has the cloister, and it is a valuable temple with a very well-organized Shichido temple complex. Six buildings (the main hall, Kori, Zendo and Shuryo, Sanmon gate, cloister, and sutra library) are registered as tangible cultural properties of Japan.
In the movie, the huge 300- to 500-year-old cedar trees that line the approach to the temple are tranquil and appear as the main building of the mountain pass and Koufukuji Temple.
The editorial staff of JR East Travel Service Center Niigata also walked from the entrance of the approach to Jikoji Temple, an ancient Soto sect temple, to fully enjoy the peacefulness of nature, including the Jikoji cedar trees, a natural treasure of the prefecture, and the murmuring of the Takiya River!
When you look up, you will see... "Ryu, the dragon?
That's right!
This is the Ryujin Sugi (Japanese cedar), which is also a power spot!
Branches naturally split off from the giant cedar tree, and it is the very dragon itself rising into the sky!
Even the editorial staff of JR East Travel Service Center Niigata couldn't help but worship it (laughs).
The temple is also a sacred site for the 33 temples of the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) in the western part of Japan, mainly in Kyoto, so please refresh yourself on the lush approach to the temple in the coming season!
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Location
870 Hiruno, Gosen-shi, Niigata
Access
JR Gosen Station (Ban-Etsu-Nishi Line) → 10 min. by bus → Old Muramatsu Station → 15 min. by cab
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Shimoetsu is a large area, and you will need two days to visit all five locations.
Please enjoy the locations of "Touge" along with sightseeing and gourmet food in the area.
Next time: "Nagaoka City"
will be released around July 25th. Please look forward to it!
Click here to see the five filming locations introduced in this article.
(1) Watanabe Residence (Sekikawa Village)
2) Tokkeien (Sekikawa Village)
3) Shinbada Castle (Shinbada City)
(4) Museum of Northern Culture (Niigata City)
(5) Jikoji Temple (Gosen City)
Please use the free pass, which is a great value and convenient way to get around Niigata Prefecture!
