Bessho Onsen & Anraku-ji
別所温泉・安楽寺
The “Kamakura of Shinshu,” an old hot-spring town surrounded by ancient temples. Anraku-ji has Japan's only National Treasure octagonal three-storey pagoda.
Bessho Onsen lies on the Shiotaira plain southwest of Ueda City and is one of the oldest hot springs in Shinshu. In the Kamakura period, the Hōjō clan built temples here, which is why it is called the “Kamakura of Shinshu.” The octagonal three-storey pagoda of Anraku-ji was built in the late Kamakura period. It is the only surviving octagonal pagoda in Japan designated as a National Treasure (admission about 300 yen). The Kitamuki Kannon and Zenkōji face each other north and south, and there is a saying that visiting only one of them makes you a “half-sided pilgrim.” Jōraku-ji is also worth a visit. The hot-spring street has three public baths, including Ō-yu and Ishi-yu, where you can bathe on the same day. Getting there: from Ueda Station, take the Ueda Electric Railway Bessho Line about 30 minutes to the terminus at Bessho Onsen Station. The retro train itself has plenty of charm.
Opening hours
Anraku-ji Temple 8:00 am–5:00 pm (until 4:00 pm in winter)
Nearby sights
- Ueda Castle Ruins Park
- Obasute Rice Terraces
- Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters
- Matsushiro Castle & Sanada Treasure Museum
- Kawanakajima Battlefield (Hachimanbara Park)
- Zenkō-ji
- Nagano Prefectural Art Museum
- Obuse & Hokusai-kan