Ueda Castle Ruins Park
上田城跡公園
A famous castle built by Sanada Masayuki that twice repelled Tokugawa armies. Its turrets and the Higashi-Toraguchi gate survive, and it is a cherry blossom spot.
Ueda Castle was built by Sanada Masayuki in 1583. He twice repelled Tokugawa forces in the First and Second Battles of Ueda, earning the castle its reputation as the “Castle That Never Falls.” It was also the setting of the taiga drama *Sanada Maru*. Three turrets survive: the West, South and North turrets. The “Sanada Stones” beside the Higashi-Toraguchi turret gate are a popular photo spot. The castle has a Sanada Shrine, and about a thousand cherry trees line the moat. The interiors of the South and North turrets can be visited for about 300 yen, and the park is free. Getting there: from Nagano Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen about 12 minutes to Ueda Station, then walk about 12 minutes. It can be combined with Bessho Onsen for a day trip.
Opening hours
Park all day; yagura tower 8:30 am–5:00 pm (partly closed in winter)
Nearby sights
- Bessho Onsen & Anraku-ji
- Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters
- Matsushiro Castle & Sanada Treasure Museum
- Obasute Rice Terraces
- Kawanakajima Battlefield (Hachimanbara Park)
- Nagano Prefectural Art Museum
- Zenkō-ji
- Obuse & Hokusai-kan