A History-packed Northern Nagano Castle Town
Straddling the Chikuma River southeast of Nagano City, Ueda is home to a stunning castle park, majestic temples, and a historic hot spring area. Ueda city, a little over an hour away from Tokyo by shikansen (bullet train), is something of a hidden gem of this part of Japan, one of those places that has a little bit of everything for those wanting to sample the best that the Shinshu region has to offer in a short space of time.
Undoubtedly the star attraction of this great city, Ueda Castle dates from 1583, and served as a local base of operations for the Sanada clan, during Japan’s Sengoku period. A hilltop castle, with the clear waters of the Chikuma River running alongside it, Ueda Castle is great both for history buffs and photo lovers alike. During the year, the castle grounds are host to an autumn festival when the castle is enraptured in fall foliage. This usually takes place in October/November. In April, the castle sees locals and tourists alike for the Ueda Castle 1000 Sakura Festival. Amassed in pink cherry blossoms, the castle is stunning and this is another fantastic season to visit.
Outside of town, rice terraces hug the hillside and offer splendid views of the scenery below. Walking the narrow lanes between the fields gives a sense of how the people here have lived in centuries past. In the mountains on Ueda's outskirts lies rustic Bessho Onsen. With roots reportedly reaching back over 1,000 years, some claim it's the oldest hot spring area in the prefecture. Three separate springs with varying properties feed the local baths. You'll love the old-school charm of Oyu, Ishiyu, and Taishiyu Onsen, which are all open to day trippers. You'll also love the surprisingly inexpensive entrance fee.
Bessho Onsen boasts some of northern Nagano's most impressive temples, including Zenzan-ji, with its picturesque three-tiered pagoda. There are many temples around the edge of the town, well worth the walking. The elegant and imposing Kitamuki Kannon Temple located near the village center offers spectacular views from the bell tower. Nestled in the woods at the edge of the village, Anraku-ji, the oldest Zen temple in Nagano, boasts the only octagonal three-tiered pagoda in the nation.
Undoubtedly the star attraction of this great city, Ueda Castle dates from 1583, and served as a local base of operations for the Sanada clan, during Japan’s Sengoku period. A hilltop castle, with the clear waters of the Chikuma River running alongside it, Ueda Castle is great both for history buffs and photo lovers alike. During the year, the castle grounds are host to an autumn festival when the castle is enraptured in fall foliage. This usually takes place in October/November. In April, the castle sees locals and tourists alike for the Ueda Castle 1000 Sakura Festival. Amassed in pink cherry blossoms, the castle is stunning and this is another fantastic season to visit.
Outside of town, rice terraces hug the hillside and offer splendid views of the scenery below. Walking the narrow lanes between the fields gives a sense of how the people here have lived in centuries past. In the mountains on Ueda's outskirts lies rustic Bessho Onsen. With roots reportedly reaching back over 1,000 years, some claim it's the oldest hot spring area in the prefecture. Three separate springs with varying properties feed the local baths. You'll love the old-school charm of Oyu, Ishiyu, and Taishiyu Onsen, which are all open to day trippers. You'll also love the surprisingly inexpensive entrance fee.
Bessho Onsen boasts some of northern Nagano's most impressive temples, including Zenzan-ji, with its picturesque three-tiered pagoda. There are many temples around the edge of the town, well worth the walking. The elegant and imposing Kitamuki Kannon Temple located near the village center offers spectacular views from the bell tower. Nestled in the woods at the edge of the village, Anraku-ji, the oldest Zen temple in Nagano, boasts the only octagonal three-tiered pagoda in the nation.
