Once under the domain of the Tokugawa shogunate, the town of Shibata was established over 420 years ago. Today, the Edo Period and the legacy of shoguns comes to life when you visit Shibata. A comfortable 30-minute ride takes you to Shimizu Garden, an elegant 17th century garden in the style of Kyoto. Its pond, trees and plants are beautiful year-round. A building of special interest nearby is an Ashigaru Nagaya, which served as the lodgings for common foot soldiers. Next on the itinerary is the Shibata Castle Ruins. Erected in 1598, the Japanese Mizoguchi samurai used the castle as the center of their powerful rule until the Meiji restoration in 1868. The three-story tower has been fully restored including its two turrets. Finally, you'll visit Gokaibishi Sake Brewery, known for its high-quality sake made from local rice and water since 1790.