MISSIONS

The Chikuma River is the longest river in Japan. In Niigata Prefecture, it is called the Shinano River. In ancient times, it was mentioned in the Manyoshu (The Anthology of Myriad Leaves), and in modern times in Shimazaki Toson's "Chikuma River Travels" and "By the Old Castle in Komoro".

The majestic Chikuma River sometimes shows its severe side, and in 2019, the Chikuma River bridge (commonly known as the red iron bridge) on the Ueda Electric Railway Bessho Line collapsed due to heavy rain. However, thanks to this, we were able to see its dependable appearance again against the backdrop of the Shiota-daira landscape.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

Silkworm Capital Ueda Sainte Musee

The "Santo" in "Santo Muse" is derived from Ueda, the silkworm city that flourished as the center of the silk industry, and "Muse" is derived from "Musa," the goddess of art and science in ancient Greek mythology. It expresses Sainte Musee's desire to become a place that connects Ueda's history and culture (art).

Ueda's first First Saturday, which inspired the holding of this Mission Day, was also held here.

(Duration: 20 minutes)

The impregnable Ueda Castle

Ueda Castle is recognized as one of Japan's 100 best castles (No. 27) and a Heritage Site of Japan's Night Views.

It was said to be impregnable in the Warring States period, having twice defeated the Tokugawa forces in the First and Second Ueda Battles.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

Legendary "Sanada Well

Legend has it that this well leads to Taroyama Castle on the north side, and that when the castle was besieged by enemy forces, food was brought in from here.

This legend seems to originate from the fact that the Tokugawa forces were defeated twice.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

Hokkoku Kaido, Yanagimachi

The Hokkoku Kaido was built to transport gold from Sado to the Edo shogunate. This highway was also used to visit Zenkoji Temple, hence the name Zenkoji Kaido. The road is lined with historic warehouse buildings and charming stores full of emotion.

(Duration: 20 minutes)

Shotaro Ikenami 100th anniversary of birth

Shotaro Ikenami is a Japanese novelist and film critic known as a foodie. He published many novels, essays, and film critiques in which he expressed his unique views on Japanese food culture and cinema. He is also said to have been a man of humble character, who valued his own knowledge and experience and was always seeking new discoveries. His works will be a valuable resource for those interested in Japanese literature and film culture.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

Sanada Ten Braves, Heroes of the People

Sanada Ten Braves is said to be the origin of Japanese heroes.

Yukimura Sanada stood up against a huge power (Tokugawa). Sarutobi Sasuke, who had the Iga ninja as his rivals and was a small, quick fighter, is the original of the Sanada Ten Braves.

(Duration: 15 min.)

TOKITA Silk Mill

The Tokita-kan Silk Mill is a silk mill established in 1900.

Of the 15 existing buildings related to the Tokita-kan Silk Mill, seven buildings built between the Meiji and Taisho periods were designated as National Important Cultural Properties of Japan in 2012.

The five-story wooden cocoon warehouse, the tallest in Japan, and the five-story reinforced concrete warehouse built at the end of the Taisho period are valuable cultural assets that clearly show the footprints of the ingenuity and wisdom of our predecessors in the era when the technology of silk production was developed.

(Duration: 20 minutes)

🛕Shinano Kokubunji - Tracing the Ley Line of Kamakura in Shinshu🌞

Three-storied Pagoda of Shinano Kokubunji Temple

Dainichi Nyorai" is enshrined in the three-story pagoda of Shinano Kokubunji and other buildings. Dainichi Nyorai means the great sun wheel. The ley line starts here and continues to Ikushima Tarushima Shrine, whose deity is "Earth and Earth".

(Duration: 20 minutes)

So you are a descendant of General Suomin Shorai

The "Sominshorai" is an amulet that is believed to ward off plague and misfortune and bring good luck. It is named after a man named Sominshorai who kindly treated Ushitotenno, an incarnation of Yakushi Nyorai, who was disguised as a traveler in the old days.

During the "Hachinichido Ennichi", the largest festival of Shinano Kokubunji Temple, a charm of "Sominshorai" is distributed.

(Duration: 20 minutes)

🗾Center of Japan🦆

IKUSHIMA TARUSHIMA Shrine in the center of Japan

It is one of the oldest shrines in Shinano-kuni and enshrines two deities: Ikushima Ookami, who gives life to all living creatures, and Tarushima Ookami, who gives satisfaction to all living creatures. The approach to the shrine is on the line of the sun extending from east to west, and it is said that the shrine connects "the sun" and "the earth".

(Duration: 15 minutes)

Marumado (Bessho Line)

The history of the Bessho Line goes back to the Ueda Onsen Dengi Aoki Line, which opened in 1920. At that time, Bessho Onsen was a popular recreational spot for Ueda residents, and the Ueda Onsen Dengi Aoki Line was opened to meet the demand. This line was called "Marumado Densha" (round window train) because of the oval shape of the door pockets' windows.

The scenery of the four seasons, from the rice paddies in the rice planting season to the cosmos along the side of the tracks in autumn, evokes a sense of nostalgia.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

🌲ShioDAdaira, Kamakura in Shinshu🏞

Unfinished but completed pagoda (ZENSANJI Temple)

The three-story pagoda at Zensan-ji Temple is said to be incomplete, as it lacks rims and stilts on the second and third floors. However, the pagodas of Kokubunji are similar, and some believe that this may be the architectural style of the Shinano-style.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

mute hall

Silence may also be a silent prayer. The Museum of Silence was opened in 1997 by Seiichiro Kuboshima. It houses and exhibits paintings, artworks, easels, and other artifacts left behind by art students who were scattered on the battlefield during World War II.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

♨️Rest in Japan's oldest hot spring💎

Bessho Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Shinshu

Bessho Onsen Station retains the retro atmosphere of its Taisho Era opening. As the gateway to Bessho Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Shinshu, it welcomes tourists.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

Jorakuji Stone Pagoda

Jorakuji Temple has a stone multi-treasured pagoda, designated as a National Important Cultural Property. This stone daboto is said to originate from an episode in the Lotus Sutra in which the Buddha, when preaching, left half of his throne open and two tathagatas sat side by side.

The stone daboto, located in a cedar grove, is one of the power spots of Bessho Onsen.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

Anrakuji Temple Three-Storied Octagonal Pagoda

Anrakuji Temple is home to Japan's only octagonal three-story pagoda. Together with Matsumoto Castle, it is the first structure in Nagano Prefecture to be designated a National Treasure.

(Duration: 20 minutes)

Visiting both Zenkoji Temple and Kitamukai Kannon

It is also unusual that the main hall faces north. It is said that it is good to visit Kannon and Zenkoji Temple on the south side of the temple as a set. It is famous as the Kannon for warding off bad luck and is said to be worshipped by many celebrities.

(Duration: 15 minutes)

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