Saku: From Zen Temple to Space Research

Saku brings together a wide range of discoveries: a Zen temple offers a glimpse into 16th-century history, the Usuda Deep Space Center makes the solar system tangible as a scaled-down model, and a natural monument preserves a remarkable discovery in Japanese natural history. There is also a former school in the pseudo-Western style and a star-shaped fortress. When planning a trip, you can start by asking whether cultural history, space exploration or nature will shape your stay.

Zen Tradition and the History of Education

The Sōtō Zen temple Teishoji was founded in 1521 by Tomono Sadayoshi, lord of Maeyama Castle. It was established in memory of his grandfather and father. The temple complex consists of seven buildings; Teishoji is considered a representative old temple of Saku and was selected for “Shinshu Hyakuji.” Its founding story thus connects a precisely dated historical occasion with the temple’s religious tradition.

The former Nakagomi School also tells the story of education. It was built in 1875 with donations from villagers and other supporters and is one of Japan’s oldest schools in the pseudo-Western style. The term refers to an architectural style; the school’s year of construction and community funding are also important points of reference. Teishoji and the former school thus represent different chapters in Saku’s history: religious tradition on the one hand and the history of education on the other.

The Solar System on Foot and Space Technology

At the entrance to the Usuda Deep Space Center, a model of the solar system, scaled down to one ten-billionth of its actual size, runs along an avenue of cherry trees. Visitors can explore the model on foot. The display makes scale part of the experience: rather than simply reading about the dimensions of the solar system, visitors follow a scaled-down representation outdoors.

Another space-related highlight is the center’s 64-meter antenna, which visitors can view. Its purpose is to communicate with space probes: it sends commands and receives observation data. The model and the antenna offer two different ways to engage with the subject—a scale representation of the solar system and a technical instrument used in work with space probes.

The sakumo Saku Children’s Future Museum also takes on big-picture themes. Its central theme is the origin and development of the universe, Earth and life. Saku’s space and science topics thus range from a representation of the solar system to questions about the development of life and Earth.

A Natural Monument and Distinctive Landmarks

The Iwamurada-Hikarigoke colony was discovered in 1910; it was the first place in Japan where luminous moss was identified. On March 3, 1921, the colony was designated a national natural monument. The two dates mark different aspects of its significance: its discovery and its later designation as a protected natural monument.

Tatsuoka Castle Goryokaku is another of Saku’s cultural landmarks. This star-shaped fortress is one of only two of its kind in Japan. The Pin-koro Jizō was erected in September 2003 as a symbol of health and longevity. Visitors include older people who pray for health and longevity, people concerned about their parents’ health, and families. In this place, a concern for health comes together with a public symbol.

Choose a Focus for Your Accommodation Search

When choosing a holiday rental in Saku, it can help to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip. Would you mainly like to explore temple and school history, are you interested in space exploration, or are natural monuments and distinctive landmarks your priority? These themes are quite different, so your own interests are a useful starting point when looking for accommodation. Families can find plenty of topics to talk about and explore in the space and museum exhibits, as well as at the historic sites and Pin-koro Jizō. This makes it possible to search for a holiday rental in Saku that suits the theme you want to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Chiisagata District, Shimosuwa, Kamitakai District, Nagano, Chino, Ueda, Yamanouchi, Hakuba.

For an overview of the wider region: Nagano Prefecture.