Matsushiro Zozan Underground Bunker

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Matsushiro Zozan Underground Bunker

A network of secret bases which was being built with enormous fundings and labor until the end of WWII.

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During World War II, the military planned to move the governing ministries over here and was secretly building this bunker. It was dug up in a network with Mt. Maizuru at the center, where the Meteorological Agency’s seismograph station is located today, extending over 10km to Mt. Minakami and Mt. Zo. An enormous amount of money was spent, which is said to be 100 or 200 million yen in value at the time. In roughly 9 months, almost 80% of the project was completed, but the war ended before the bunker was ever used.

Although there is no document left to describe those days and the truth is unknown, Many Korean and Japanese people were said to have been forced to build the bunker. To pass on the history of tragedy in the war and hope for peace, part of the bunker has been open to the public since 1988.

You can tour nearly the 500m stretch from Nishijo Entrance (Emyoji Entrance). Even though lights and fences are set up for safety, the bunker itself is left just as crude as it was back then. There are rods for drilling rocks, the railroad ties for a trolley, some survey points which might have been used to gauge east / west and horizontal measurements, which leads you to imagine the hard labor that took place there.

Highlights

  • Make sure to wear a helmet before entering (Helmets are available at the entrance).
  • Inside the bunker is bumpy. Wear comfortable shoes when you visit.
  • It is possible to come on a wheelchair, but there are steep slopes. Make sure to have a helper.

Photos

  • Over 10km-long underground bunker dug into a rocky area

    Over 10km-long underground bunker dug into a rocky area

  • Put on a helmet and enter into the bunker

    Put on a helmet and enter into the bunker

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Details

Name in Japanese
松代象山地下壕
Postal Code
381-1232
Address
479-11 Matsushiromachi-nishijo, Nagano City, Nagano
Telephone
026-224-8316 (Nagano City Tourism Promotion Division)
Closed
The 3rd Tuesday of the month
Hours
9:00am-4:00pm (Admission allowed until 3:30pm)
Admission
Free
Directions
From JR Nagano Station, ride the City Bus, get off at Matsushiro-Hachijuniginko-mae Stop, and walk 20 min.