Ueda Castle

Overview

Ueda Castle is a flatland castle built by Masayuki Sanada and completed in 1583. After the fall of the Takeda clan, Masayuki Sanada found himself opposed to Tokugawa Ieyasu, and from his base at Ueda Castle, he skillfully repelled Ieyasu's army twice using clever strategies. In the First Battle of Ueda, despite being outnumbered, he used the castle's structure and the terrain to his advantage, forcing Ieyasu's army to retreat. In the Second Battle of Ueda, shortly before the Battle of Sekigahara, he again repelled Ieyasu's forces, demonstrating the Sanada clan's strategic prowess and the castle's strength. The Sanada clan later surrendered Ueda Castle and were transferred to Matsushiro, but the castle continued to have various lords until the Meiji Restoration. Today, it has been developed as Ueda Castle Park, a relaxing spot for local citizens. Remnants of the honmaru (main enclosure), ninomaru (second enclosure), and sanmaru (third enclosure) remain, allowing visitors to imagine the scale and structure of the castle. Famous for its cherry blossoms, it attracts many tourists in spring. Autumn brings stunning autumn foliage. When visiting Ueda Castle, learning about its history and the Sanada clan will deepen your understanding and appreciation. Enjoy strolling through the grounds, imagining the castle's structure and the battles that took place. The park also includes the Ueda City Museum and Sanada Shrine, offering further opportunities to explore the history and culture of the area. Ueda Castle is a captivating tourist destination where history and nature harmoniously coexist.