Located between Nagano City and the mountain resort town of Karuizawa, Ueda is a small but historic city known for its legendary ‘samurai’, good food and drink, and plenty of nostalgic charm. The surrounding area also inlcudes a number of attractions such as Bessho Onsen, Sugadaira Highland, and Utsukushigahara Highland. All of these are within easy reach of the city either by car or public transport, making it a good location to use as a base for a few days exploring off the beaten path in Central Japan.

Home to the famous Ueda Castle, the city was once the home of the Sanada Clan, who are known by their family crest composed of six coins lined up in two rows. In Japanese folklore, it was said that these coins would be necessary to pay the ferryman of the underworld and cross the river dividing the living and the dead to your final resting place. By using this symbol, the Sanada samurai showed that they were always ready to face death in service of their lord and land. Although the castle here no longer has its main keep, the grounds contain museums and a number of interesting castle walls, gates, and excavation areas which will keep you occupied even if you aren’t the biggest history nerd. Located close to the city center, any hotel around the station area will put you within close reach of the castle

Visitors travelling to and from Ueda by train, and prioritizing ease of access when looking for accommodation, should consider staying around Ueda Station. In that area you will find multiple business and other Western-style hotels providing easy access to the station and attractions including the above mentioned Ueda Castle Park, Yanagimachi, Fukuromachi and many other destinations. For accommodation listings, please see the map below or click the ‘Booking.com’ button below.