Ruins of Ueda Castle Park

上田城跡公園

Ruins of Ueda Castle Park (Ueda Castle) in Ueda City, Nagano, presents layered histories of the Sanada, Sengoku, and Matsudaira clans. Sanada Masayuki built the castle on a river-terrace tip shaped by the Chikuma River and its tributary, the Yazome River; the southern Amagafuchi cliff used the Chikuma itself as a natural moat. After the Battle of Sekigahara the castle was destroyed, then rebuilt by the Sengoku clan, who restored the East Tiger Gate yagura gate and corner yagura still seen today. The Matsudaira later opened the domain school Meirindo inside the grounds. The park is always open and free; yagura viewing runs 8:30–17:00 for 300 yen for adults.