Ueda

Shinkansen Tokyo-Nagano; Shinano-Tetsudo line Karuizawa-Nagano; Japan Railways bus from Matsumoto airport.

Walking will mostly do; there are plenty of city buses.

• Ueda Castle Park

  address: Ninomaru 3-3
  Only 3 towers and gates remain of the original castle. As the base of the Sanada clan, it is famous for being a key to the Sanadas defeating the mighty Tokugawa clan's forces on two occasions in the 16th century. On the third attempt, the castle was destroyed, but it was rebuilt by the Sengoku clan in 1626, supposedly to the original plan. The maple leaves in the park in late autumn are spectacular.

• Anrakuji Temple

  address: Bessho Onsen 2361
  A beautiful and peaceful temple precinct tucked up against the hill. The temple stores important cultural objects from the Kamakura Period, and is the oldest Zen temple in Nagano Prefecture. The pagoda is the only remaining octagonal pagoda in Japan, and is designated a national treasure. Opening times and price refer to the octagonal pagoda section of the temple precinct only.

• Ueda City Museum

  address: Ninomaru 3-3 (inside Ueda Castle Park) 二の丸3-3
  A small but diverse collection, including several well preserved sets of samurai armor used by the local Sanada clan members.

• Yamamoto Kanae Memorial Gallery

  address: Inside Ueda Castle Park
  Celebrates Yamamoto Kanae (1882-1946) who worked in oils and woodblock prints. He pioneered a radical New Art Education for Children method that involved encouraging children to draw objects freely, rather than copying classic works from books. He also started a movement that involved teaching local people woodcraft.

• TaroyamaHill-lovers will enjoy this mountain at 1164 m in elevation. A 2-3 hour walk.

• Kaldi Coffee Farm

  address: Tenjin 3-5-1 Ario Shopping Centre 1F
  A coffee store also featuring a very wide range of imported goods.

• Collabo

  phone: +81 268-22-5968
  address: Chuo 4-7-27
  Serves a different set lunch every day. The meals are made with lots of local ingredients, and are good value. The place is run by a non-profit organization whose aim is to preserve and propagate local food culture.

• Curry House Bengal

  address: Chuo 2-4-9
  If you like your Japanese style curry with a dash of chili, this is your place. Mains include a cup of soup, pickle/salad, and sometimes a complimentary cup of milk tea to wash it all down. Serves are generous and the service is quick. The menu is in Japanese and English.

• Jaipur Indian Cooking

  phone: +81 26-826-7878
  address: Chuo 1-9-20
  Good quality Indian curry and other dishes. Non-smoking.

• Rin's Coffee

  address: Chuo 1-1-22
  An elegant coffee lounge selling a wide array of local and imported coffees.

• Cafe Garden Berry

  address: Bessho Onsen 208-1
  A cozy coffee shop with good quality coffee and various beverages and snacks made from local ingredients. The owner, Hoshino-san, speaks English.

Toyoko-inn is just NW of the station; 8080 for a double with breakfast (April 2009), or go to Bessho Onsen.

Ueda Guide: The unofficial English tourism website about Ueda and also links to EGG, a volunteer guide group specializing in helping and introducing foreign tourists to Ueda.

• Chikuma - take the Shinano railway north to Togura or Chikuma stations and visit the onsens, mountains and temples of this small city on the Chikuma River
• Yamanouchi - home of the famous hot-spring soaking snow monkeys.
• Joshinetsu Kogen National Park - which includes Shiga Kogen, Japan's largest ski resort, host of 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Giant Slalom, with 21 interlinked ski fields and over 70 lifts.
• Matsumoto - home of the famous black castle, whose gardens and views are a delight in spring and autumn
• Kiso Valley - through which winds the historic Nakasendo (Mountain Road) with numerous historic and beautifully restored villages
• Hakuba - some of the best ski fields in Japan and great summer hiking along the spectacular northern alps
• Azumino - Spice up your life with a visit to one of Japan's most famous wasabi farms
• Nagano - Take a pilgrimage to Zenkoji Temple