The Last Samurai" filming locations in Ojiya and Minamiuonuma.
- Niigata
- Special Features
Tour of filming locations - Ojiya City
This is the final chapter in our series of travelogues to the locations where the movie "The Last Samurai" was shot.
We would like to conclude with an introduction to Ojiya City and Minamiuonuma City, where the most locations were filmed.
We hope you enjoy it to the end.
The location of the Hokuetsu Boshin War and the Kawai-Iwamura negotiations! Jigenji Temple
Fans of Tsugunosuke Kawai may find this place irresistible.
The conference room on the left is where Tsugunosuke Kawai and Seiichiro Iwamura met.
The main hall, including the conference room, was completely destroyed by the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake in October 2004, but was restored in September 2006 with the help of many donations.
The photos in this article were taken from the Niigata Prefecture Tourist Association.
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Location
2-3-35 Heisei, Ojiya City
Access
10 minutes by bus from Ojiya Station on the JR Joetsu Line. 1 minute walk from the bus stop.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
(2) The Nishiwaki Residence, a wealthy merchant in Ojiya.
The main house is approximately 250 years old, and the detached room used as a guest room is over 100 years old.
The main house and the detached tatami room are registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
The garden, with its beautiful moss and autumn foliage, is a place where visitors can enjoy the changing seasons and take a stroll.
There are several stone lanterns placed around the pond in various shapes and sizes, so why don't you walk around the garden and look for the most beautiful ones?
*Only the garden is currently open to the public.
The photos in this article were taken from the Nishiwaki Residence website.
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Location
2-7-6 Honmachi, Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture
Access
Train/conventional lines: Approx. 1.7 km from Ojiya Station on the JR Joetsu Line, approx. 3 minutes by cab, 22 minutes on foot
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
(3) Izakutei Tochu for lunch while touring the filming locations.
Photo courtesy of Niigata Prefecture Tourist Association
If you want to enjoy a meal while touring locations in Kojitani City, you should visit Izakutei Tochu.
This ryotei restaurant is said to have been established around 1730. It is where Tsugunosuke had lunch with his military attaché, Torasaburo Futami, after leaving Jigenji Temple following the defeat of the Ojiya talks.
The "Ume-no-Ma" tatami room where he actually stayed is still there. Currently, it is also available for lunch, cafes, and banquets.
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Location
11-11 Motomachi, Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture
Access
7 min. by car from JR Ojiya Sta.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Tour of filming location - Minamiuonuma City
(4) Undo-an, the best temple in Echigo-Tsumari
The main hall, with a frontage of 14 ken and a depth of 10.5 ken, was built by Oguro Jinnai, a master carpenter from Izumozaki, Niigata Prefecture, and is considered the finest example of modern temple architecture.
It is the oldest temple in Echigo with a history of approximately 1,300 years. Underneath the stone pavement of the approach from the red gate to the main hall is a stone inscription of the Lotus Sutra, one stone at a time, which is said to bring blessings if one steps on it while praying. The scene of the Ojiya talk, which influences the story, was filmed here.
The photos in this article were taken from the Undo-an website.
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Location
660 Undo, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
Access
Approx. 30 minutes by car from Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line
10 minutes by car from Shiozawa Station or Muikamachi Station on the JR Joetsu Line.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Spots introduced in this issue
～Ojiya City
1) Jigenji Temple
Nishiwaki Residence
(3) Izakutei Tochu
～Minamiuonuma City
(4) Undo-an
Ojiya is famous for its hegi soba (buckwheat noodles), and Minamiuonuma has many restaurants where you can enjoy delicious koshihikari rice.
Please stop by and make love to them while touring filming locations.
How was everyone's experience touring filming locations in Niigata Prefecture in this fourth installment?
Please stop by JR East Travel Service Center Niigata when you visit us on your tour of filming locations!
Please use the free pass, which is a great value and convenient way to get around Niigata Prefecture!
