Matsumoto is the second largest city in Nagano Prefecture with a population of 270,000.
Matsumoto has long history after Matsumoto Castle was built in the early 16th century. In the Edo Age, Matsumoto developed as a castle town.
On the way from Matsumoto Station to Matsumoto Castle, you will see a stone monument on a street. The stone monument is related to the well-known anecdote between UESUGI Kenshin and TAKEDA Shingen in the late 16th century.
At that time, TAKEDA Shingen and UESUGI Kenshin had several battles between them to expand their territories.
In 1568, TAKEDA, who's base was in the Kofu area, currently in Yamanashi Prefecture, broke a collaboration contract with IMAGAWA and HOJYO, who's territories faced to the Pacific Ocean.
As a result, TAKEDA could not get any salt due to an economic blockade of IMAGAWA and HOJYO. People in the TAKEDA territory had a serious problems.
After hearing about the hard situation of TAKEDA, UESUGI Kenshin, who's base was in the Naoetsu area, currently in Niigata Prefecture facing the Japan Sea, delivered salt to the TAKEDA's territory, even though UESUGI had battles against TAEDA.
It is said this stone monument was used to yoke an ox carrying salt from UESUGI to TAKEDA at that time.
People in Japan praise UESUGI Kenshin's actions according to human justice with this anecdote.
However, the fact seemed that he earned a lot of money by selling salt with a special price to TAKEDA.